sam jacob is designing a new installation within the grand entrance to the v&a to highlight the need to rethink the global plastics system; to consider its full lifetime journey; and to design future-use into every product.

the installation for london design festival follows the recent announcement that sam jacob studio has been selected to transform the cromwell road entrance.

titled sea things, the concept will take the form of a large scale two-way mirrored cube suspended above visitors with an animated motion graphic internally reflected to an infinity that seems both as wide as the ocean and as large as the challenges we face. the project has an aim to evoke a powerful sense of emotion, so visitors come away feeling empowered with a better understanding of their role alongside technology and design to make the world a more sustainable place.

upon entering the space, the installation – which is both a digital and physical manifestation of the global single-use plastics crisis – has an intention to immediately impact visitors.

in addition, jacob has taken inspiration from the v&a’s ceramic galleries and will remake a selection of water vessels from the v&a’s collection. from recycling to experimental post plastic materials, the intervention will emphasize issues of value – the design of water vessels in global culture and history, along with the value of plastic itself – whilst demonstrating the potentials and opportunities for the future.

sam jacob says, “it’s fantastic to be able to work on such an urgent issue and to be able to draw both on the knowledge of the v&a and the global intelligence of sap. working between research on the immediate future but with roots in culture and history of design is an inspiring place for a designer to operate.”

the project aligns with sap’s ‘plastic cloud’ project, which leverages the power of technology to turn the tide on ocean plastics. the software giant is working with global partners to create the digital infrastructure that will improve the economics of the global plastics system and increase after-use value of plastics.

tube > south kensington

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