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17-25 October 2026

Soap Sink Soak

A washbasin made from palm oil soap.

Hosted by PearCore, founded by Yanqing & Kai-Hsiang

This project is now archived as part of DDW25

Browse this year's programme

Event type

Exhibition

Soap Sink Soak critiques palm oil's colonial history. A functional sink, cast from the soap itself, dissolves with use. This tangible erosion questions the unsustainable foundations of "cleanliness" and the industry's hollow promises, revealing the devastating impact on local land and labor.

The oil palm, first introduced to Indonesia by the VOC, now dominates global production.

While its low cost makes it ubiquitous in everything from food to cleaning products, this monoculture economy continues to devastate local land and labor. Colonial-era soap advertisements promised "health" and "inclusivity"—illusions as fragile as bubbles.

Dissolving Foundations

Soap Sink Soak is a sink cast from soap, where the act of washing causes the sink itself to gradually dissolve. This concept challenges the foundations we rely on for cleanliness, suggesting they may not be as solid or sustainable as we believe.

Hosted by

PearCore, founded by Yanqing & Kai-Hsiang
pearcore.co@gmail.com
+31625301168
Visit website
Download press kit

About PearCore, founded by Yanqing & Kai-Hsiang

Soft core, hard form PearCore a pair of designers who try to bring surprising yet well-crafting design to live.