There are people who indifferently walk past works of art, not noticing the beauty, while others, even at the sight of garbage, have fantasies and plans about what would be so wonderful and beautiful to do so that this garbage would benefit people. Once a talented Dutch designer from Rotterdam Diederik Schneemann, vacationing in a Kenyan resort, saw a pile of multi-colored slippers, which were nailed by waves to the coast.
These are modern bright flip flops sometimes called "flip flops". Flip-flops are very colorful inexpensive shoes that are used by all vacationers. And of course, if during swimming they are washed off the feet by a wave, no one will dive after them. And since they are very light and do not sink in water, the sea throws them back to the ground. Kenyans collect them to clear the area.
So he decided to use torn unnecessary slippers in the manufacture of vases, lamps and even furniture, turning them into works of art. Of course, they cannot be used as we see them on the coast. First, the flip-flops are washed well, dried, sorted by color, and then sanded, because only the flat part of the flip-flops is used. And only then does the creative process of producing magnificent vases and lamps take place. This time-consuming work behind the grinding wheel, cutting, gluing, and for luminaires also the delicate work of installing electrics, ends with great success. Thrown flip flops from the East African coast in skillful and talented hands are transformed into stunning works of art and, along with other works, participate in the exhibition in Milan, where they gain worldwide fame.
The designer was greatly helped by the Kenyan company UniquEco, which collects garbage on the coast, thereby helping to clean up the area and earn money for ordinary Kenyans. After all, they not only collect garbage and slippers, but now also carry out primary processing of the material (cleaning, sorting and grinding). The designer made his dream come true and created magnificent colorful and voluminous flower vases, as well as amazing floor and pendant lamps.
