Smogware: A tableware made with air pollution
Smogware : tableware made with air pollution I Photography Roel van Tour
In society, dust is viewed as unwanted residue and is often associated with cluttered or neglected environments. Perceived as dirty, intrusive and repulsive, dust is everywhere. It is a fine, dry powder composed of small particles and detritus collected on surfaces or carried in the air.
Dust is made of fine particles of solid matter. It generally consists of windborne particles in the atmosphere from various sources, such as soil and soot. Similarly, domestic dust consists of about 50% dead skin cells. The other 50% is made up of small amounts of; plant pollen, human and other animal fur, textile or paper fibres and minerals or particles from the many different materials found in a local environment. Therefore each place generates a unique type of dust. And like the place it belongs, the common debris is continuously evolving.
Amsterdam, The Hague, Berlin, Kiel, Milan and Beijing, each city has an identity; a mark identified through its dust.
We constantly perceive dust through our touch, and it is always on our skin. However, every day we are unknowingly inhaling this fine matter, and it is difficult to assess the damage it can cause in the long term.
Especially in urban and industrial centres, there is rising concern that the particles we are breathing in are reducing our quality of life and affecting our health. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), more than 90% of the world's population in cities breathe air (outdoors) that exceeds the WHO pollution limits. Current estimation states that air pollution causes 4.2 million deaths worldwide each year.
There have been considerable improvements in air quality over the last decade through the effort of many countries; following international and local regulations, cooperation programmes, research and scientific assessments. However a drastic economic and social transformation is essential to lowering the pollutant emissions worldwide.
Smogware I Photography Roel van Tour
“If the environment shapes who you are - what environment do you want to create?”
Smogware
Whilst researching materials that enable a circular and regenerative economy, architect Iris de Kievith and designer Annemarie Piscaer recognised the potential of dust. The raw material can be used as a source to communicate effects of air pollution. This led to the creation of Smogware.
“We wanted to make air pollution tangible.”
The project began in Rotterdam, the second-largest city in the Netherlands. An important logistic and economic centre, the Dutch city is the largest seaport in Europe. But its development is also linked with the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. Following the WHO air pollution regulation, Rotterdam was graded at a moderate level. Although still, long term exposure to pollution is shown to cause health risks.
The Smogware tableware collection emerged as ceramics, coloured with particles of air pollution from Rotterdam. These fine dust particles are used for a glaze for a set of tableware that consists of 6 pieces. All the pieces are created in 5 colours, depending on the amount of dust that is used in the glaze, resulting in a peculiar matrix of data. Over ten years a citizen of Rotterdam breathes in about one gram of particulate matter. This is the amount that is used to glaze one coffee cup or plate. The process is repeated with the amounts of dust that a person breathes in 25, 45, 65 or 85 years. The colour differences highlight the increasing amount of air pollution a person is subjected to in their lifetime.
The Smogware tableware collection emerged as ceramics, coloured with particles of air pollution from Rotterdam. The colour differences highlight the increasing amount of air pollution a person is subjected to in their lifetime I Photography Roel van Tour
They collected dust from the city's roads with the heaviest traffic - especially in areas covered by rain and wind, where settled dust can remain for decades.
The city's dust is used for the glaze and only a transparent enamel is used as a medium, with no additives or colours. Like sand, iron particles in the fine powder determine the colour of the ceramic. Though a technique commonly used by ceramists, these particles were never made from the city's waste.
The glaze has been tested by independent research organisations which has shown that using these particles from air pollution is safe for the creation of ceramics.
Annemarie and Iris did not stop their research in Rotterdam alone. According to the duo, seeing air pollution from their living environment has had the most significant impact on their work. Extending the project with the residents' collaboration, they collected particles from; Amsterdam, The Hague, Wijk aan Zee, Berlin, Kiel, Milano, Beijing, Changsha and Jakarta.
When placed together the dust collected from the different cities applied in the ceramics shows the differences in air quality side by side. And with different shades of colours and the texture of the glaze, the tableware tells the story of its origin.
“Improving air quality is incredibly difficult. It requires the actions of a lot of stakeholders. Politicians from different countries (as the polluted air from one country blows to another) need to collaborate. Policies need to be implemented and carried out by companies, citizens etc.
Smogware can only do very little. However, visualising, showing the urgency helps in this process. We help in creating awareness and visualising complex matter into a tangible’ simple’ form. It is a conversation starter.”
Clean Air Dialogue 2021
Much more than a collection of tableware, the Smogware project is a meaningful cause. The Dutch architect and designer participate in government events and meetings where air quality is discussed. The collection creates bridges and promotes dialogue between organisations, government sectors, industry and citizens to address the issue of air quality.
In February, Iris de Kievith and Annemarie Piscaer participated in the Clean Air Dialogue 2021. A notable event where participants from different countries and sectors discussed the policy, content and practical side of achieving clean air according to current norms and guidelines.
The WHO's air quality guidelines for outdoor air pollution represent the most widely accepted and up-to-date assessment of the impact on health, recommending air quality targets at which health risks are significantly reduced. Still, European norms do not sufficiently protect against the health effects of air pollution.
So the Clean Air Dialogue 2021 is a significant opportunity to discuss how European countries can significantly reduce pollutant values following the WHO's air quality guidelines. And understanding this critical moment for dialogue, Iris de Kievith and Annemarie Piscaer created espresso cups sets using the air quality according to the current norms, comparing the EU with the WHO. Helping to visualise the difference between the current and recommended norms the espresso cup set makes the ambitious goals appear tangible and easy to grasp.
“Visualising this in the set espresso cup makes the ambition very tangible. The EU norm (according to 85 years breathing) is dark, and the WHO norm shows a much lighter colour. It is a positive way to start a conversation.”
The difference between the current European air quality norm and the WHO recommended is presented in the espresso cup set.
You can learn more about Smogware through the links below.
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