Art, innovation, and circular economy at crQlr Summit MEXICO CITY

The crQlr Awards 2022 Winners, including several art installations and projects, have been selected by an international panel of judges for their contributions to advancing the circular economy. These multidisciplinary projects push the circular economy forward through unique intersections of research, design, and artistic expression.

Launched in 2021 by FabCafe Global and Loftwork, both founded in Japan, the crQlr Awards aim to support future designers working towards the implementation of circular economy systems. The goal is to nurture a community where players can connect across industries and countries, share knowledge and technologies, and uncover potential to create new value.

The winning projects were announced ahead of the crQlr Summit MEXICO CITY, where attendees can meet the leaders of each project and attend an open feedback session between the winners and the crQlr judges.

Among the winners is AirBubble, the world’s first biotechnological playground that integrates air-purifying micro-algae cultures. Designed by ecoLogicStudio, this project creates a purified microclimate for children to play in, and incorporates a cylindrical timber structure wrapped in an ETFE membrane protecting 52 glass algae reactors.

Another winning project is Another Moon, a large-scale outdoor apparition that creates a technically sublime second moon in the sky. This second moon is created by a cross-temporal reflection of sunlight gathered during the day, projected back into the sky at night. The moon appears overhead where laser beams tightly superimpose to create a three-dimensional form that can be viewed up to 1 km away.

Aquaterrestrial Recolonization is another winning project, which is a joint effort to proactively respond to rising climate change concerns. The project records the current state of dead coral reefs in the Bahamas archipelago and uses AI technology to visualize a recolonized ocean floor.

Art plays a critical role in advancing the circular economy by offering unconventional perspectives that challenge conventional norms. By shaping perception and influencing public opinion, art can inspire a mindset change to make more sustainable choices and contribute to a healthier relationship between humankind and the environment.

Interested individuals can join the Summit online on 16 March (Thursday), registration open on FabCafe website!