Beyond Disposable

Unveiling the Unseen Significance: Celebrating the Overlooked Role of the Plastic Bag

This project is now archived and was part of DDW23

This project is part of
Dialogues of the Unheard

Beyond Disposable by Chaewon Kong

Patty van den Elshout

To honour plastic bag’s utilitarian nature and its historical significance, it is reconceptualized as a luxurious item, distinguished by its rigid material and sophisticated presentation. It invites reflection on its role in our lives and a reconsideration of our relationship with everyday objects.

Redefining Value and Luxury

The plastic bag, once a ubiquitous and disposable item, has gradually experienced a decline in its popularity. It is crucial to recognise its enduring presence and functionality of this simple yet effective design. This anonymous design has dutifully served countless individuals, fulfilling its intended purpose. In an effort to honour the bag’s utilitarian nature and its historical significance in our daily lives, it has been reimagined as a luxurious item, distinguished by its rigid material and sophisticated presentation. By attributing prestige to an everyday item that is often overlooked, it disrupts preconceived notions of what constitutes value and luxury. The luxury plastic bag pays homage to the plastic bag as an iconic object deserving of recognition and contemplation. Most importantly, it invites reflection on its role in our lives and a reconsideration of our relationship with everyday objects.