Two Kendall College of Art and Design alumni presented Fragments to Form, the new exhibit featured in the Fine Art Gallery, in hopes of inspiring others to think about recycling.
Fragments to Form is an exhibition exploring the transformative potential of recycled plastics in contemporary design. The two designers, Jared Seifert and Lauren Copping presented at the Fine Arts Gallery on Tuesday, April 15.
Seifert and Copping are both 2018 KCAD graduates. Seifert finished with a BFA in industrial design, while Copping finished with a BFA in interior design. Together, they present their work on Design Declassified, a West Michigan startup encouraging people to reimagine plastic waste and embrace a circular economy advocating for sustainable art, design and daily life practices.
Copping hopes that students and community members become more mindful about recycling as they view their artwork.
“It’s mostly just awareness around a broader point of view, the awareness around plastic. I think seeing it in this form helps people understand or question where the pieces come from and how they can help prevent it,” Copping said. “Then when they’re seeing litter out in the wild, any kind of pollution, or maybe plastic put in with the trash, they can associate it with the art. Just having people think about recycling, paying more attention to how they’re recycling at the very broad level.”
Through an innovative process of collecting, shredding, melting and reshaping plastic waste, discarded materials are reborn as marble-like surfaces. They transform into functional and beautiful countertops, tables, wall panels and home goods.
Seifert touched on a trip they took to Bali, inspiring them to create their artwork.
“We witnessed a collective community of expats and locals that were gathering plastic waste from rice fields, beaches and streams and they were transforming it into this innovative material. That community engagement and the results of the material that was from that were what really drove the beginning of the inspiration,” Seifert said. “When we were back here, we wanted to create that same community commitment and began working with our local community.”
Seifert and Copping took their trip to Bali in 2023, where they deepened their commitment to designing their artwork and integrating eco-conscious practices into their work.
Fine Art Gallery and Museum Director Carrie Weis said sharing Seifert and Copping’s story is valuable for Ferris students and the wider community.
“Exhibiting a show about plastic recycling is crucial in raising awareness about the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste and the pressing need for sustainable solutions,” Weis said. “Fragments to Form not only educates the public about the destructive impact of plastic on ecosystems and wildlife but also highlights the potential for innovation in recycling technologies. Ultimately, it fosters a collective understanding that plastic recycling is not just an environmental necessity, but also a powerful tool for creating a more sustainable and circular economy for future generations.”
A class that got to view the artwork and listen to Seifert and Copping present was maker culture, held in the National Elastomer Center.
One of the students from that class, graphic media management senior Kayla McDonnell, found everyday objects transforming into inspiring art.
“It’s great to see something that someone threw away gets to be refurbished and that I get to enjoy it in a new light,” McDonnell said. “Knowing that it was a laundry detergent bottle that someone threw away and now it’s a form of art is so cool. Being able to see it repurposed and reused not only for show but for use as well.”
Today, Seifert is exploring innovative ways to repurpose excess materials while Copping researches and sources from those who share similar values. Together, they strive to positively impact people and the planet.
Fragments to Form will remain in the Fine Art Gallery until May 9. Ferris students and community members can visit the gallery during its open hours and view the artwork for the remainder of the semester. The gallery is open every weekday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.