In what ways can design promote the preservation of craft and address the world’s most urgent environmental issues? M+ Lead Curator of Design and Architecture Ikko Yokoyama speaks with Spanish designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón about how living craft traditions are central to sustainable design in the contemporary world.

De Ocón’s solution to address the modern-day struggle with sustainability is the PET Lamp project, which he launched in 2012 in Colombia. Local artisans make the basket-like lampshades by weaving palm, bamboo, or wool onto a warp formed from sliced-open PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles. The lampshades preserve weaving traditions while repurposing a major source of waste. Over the past decade, de Ocón has worked with craftspeople in Thailand, Chile, and Ethiopia to expand the PET Lamp project.

De Ocón will join Yokoyama via a video call in English. Simultaneous interpretation in Cantonese will be available. After the talk, participants may join a tour led by Yokoyama to the East Galleries to see the PET Lamp display. Click on 'Register' to join the Zoom talk directly.