Artists-in-Residence: Carolin Liebl and Nikolas Schmid-Pfähler | RE:PLACES

RE:PLACES (REcycling PLA Closed-circuit Extrusion Shaper) (2020) is an installation that critically examines the possible and speculative present and future of dealing with plastics. A plastic extruder built into a robot transforms plastic granules into anamorphic objects, which have a plump, glossy surface right from their birth. As the material swells from the robots' organs, it curls and warps until it cools and hardens in its final shape. The robot spreads these artificial pieces around the exhibition space like virtual brushstrokes.
He carries around a certain amount of granulate in a storage bubble, which needs to be refilled from time to time. These plastic granules are made from collected 3D-print-waste (PLA), which is crushed earlier by a DIY shredder. All objects created during an exhibition will also be shredded and serve as raw material for the next time, creating an (almost) closed loop.
To see how molten plastic is brought into a new form expands the perception of this material, which is otherwise only present in product form. Both Liebl and Schmid-Pfähler believe that an intuitive and aesthetic experience of the material can build a bridge to greater awareness and interest in the current polluting use of plastics. Getting a feel for plastics means regaining more control over an extremely complex and worsening global situation in the use of plastics.
RE:PLACES (2020) is supported through an EMAP/EMARE artist’s residency at FACT in Liverpool, UK. Due to health, safety and travel restrictions, this artist residency was carried out remotely. Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.