OLD PLASTIC, NEW STONE
Wishing to begin an artistic reflection on the challenging nature of single-use plastic, we took it to the jeweler’s workshop and created the stone of the future. This synthetic gem was crafted from post-industrial material and adorned with silver or brass shavings – remnants from the metalworking process at the ORSKA studio. Created by the Boomplastic team, the black stones are marked with a seal stating their origin – “made by Homo Sapiens” – serving as a reminder that our creations are also our responsibility. The New Stone collection emphasizes that the planet cannot handle everything we leave behind on its own – especially not the things that do not originate from it. It is an artistic manifesto and a symbol of care for what we will leave behind for the anthropologists of the future.
New Stone
NEW STONE COLLECTION JEWELRY: PROBLEMATIC PLASTIC
In the creative process, one of the most important steps is the right choice of material and technology. Faced with the dilemma of the origin of the raw material - whether to extract it, produce it or perhaps reuse it - the decision seems obvious. Yet it is not so obvious. ORSKA, known for its enthusiasm for experimentation and reaching for non-standard components in jewelry, has decided to take a stand in the discussion revolving around one of the most important problems of our time - the overproduction of plastic.
The finished raw material, the availability of which is almost unlimited, in addition to a palette of advantages, also has numerous disadvantages that make it necessary to redefine the functioning of this material in our lives. The inexpensive process of producing plastic is both its greatest advantage and disadvantage - low production costs are a high cost to the environment. And while the world is becoming increasingly vocal about the problem and increasingly bold in seeking a way to solve it, we still haven't found a universal method that will free us from excess plastic.
NEW STONE COLLECTION JEWELRY: RECYCLING PLASTIC
Plastic is a long-lasting material that is too often used once. After a short period of use, it becomes a worthless and harmful object that has many more years of life ahead of it: in the ground, in the water or in a landfill. We decided to look for a way to give a second chance to materials destined for disposal that had no other future ahead of them. The idea was born out of the belief that production can be replaced by processing. Creating your own material requires knowledge, patience and the right technology. It also comes in handy to have a bit of luck and meet people on your path who will help make even the most daring visions a reality.
We reached for post-industrial plastic and, together with the Boomplastic team, subjected it to experimental heat treatment. The process of creating it resembles craftsmanship. The material is redesigned each time, so each piece is slightly different and has its own individual character.
The artistic, jewelry interpretation of plastic created the New Stone collection, whose main character is a synthetic stone. The black solids stand out not only for their aesthetics. Made of recycled plastic with silver or brass filings from the ORSKA atelier, they are durable and lightweight. The jewel is the ultimate form of unwanted plastic. The last stop on its short path, giving it a long and good life.
NEW STONE COLLECTION JEWELRY - WHAT WILL WE LEAVE BEHIND FOR THE ANTHROPOLOGISTS OF THE FUTURE?
The new stone was stamped, informing us of its origin - "created by Homo Sapiens" - and reminding us that our creations are also our responsibility. The cavemen left behind paintings, the ancient Egyptians left behind pyramids, and the Romans left behind walls and aqueducts. We should make sure we don't leave behind towers of disposable bags and straws. Modern fossils should take a more beautiful, more valuable form so that we don't have to feel ashamed in front of the anthropologists of the future.