Ecolaboration 2013 Commission

John Dahlsen’s work “Ecollaboration”, uses aluminium coffee capsules as the core medium
John participated in a sustainable arts project that used recycled coffee capsules as the medium.
Entitled “Project Upcycle”, the Nespresso initiative challenged six leading Australian sustainable artists and designers to become Nespresso “Upcycle Ambassadors” and create an original artwork made from entirely recyclable materials, including the company’s trademark aluminium coffee capsules.
A current Charles Darwin University postgraduate student, who is doing his PhD and visual arts lecturer, John said his free-standing work, entitled “Ecollaboration”, referenced elements of the Australian landscape, and was constructed from glass, steel, gold and aluminium coffee capsules.
“I have been supporting environmental initiatives through my work as an artist for more than 25 years,” Mr Dahlsen said. “I’m keen to support companies that encourage their customers to use their products in a sustainable way, and in doing so, show other companies how it can be done.”
Project Upcycle was unveiled at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney on Thursday 25 July.
After the work has been exhibited, he will donate it to be auctioned at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science’s Emerald Dinner in late October 2013, with proceeds supporting the institute’s research projects.

– An art challenge promoting product upcycling.