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Turning E-Waste into Art: My Upcycling Journey

byVishwanath MallabadiAvailable in Bengaluru & travels across IndiaStarts from1,500 per personView full gallery

Explore how two decades of artistic vision turn discarded electronics into meaningful, sustainable masterpieces and immersive creative experiences.

This is my story. For over two decades, I have been on a mission to transform electronic waste into art. In this session, I share my journey from my early days as a ham radio operator to creating large scale installations, my philosophy of "Disconnect to Reconnect," and my invitation to you to join this movement. It’s more than art; it’s about making our planet safer and healthier.

The device you are watching this on will one day become e-waste. This video, created for my collaboration with the Brigade Group for the Orion Mall installation, shows the scale of the problem and how we can use creativity to turn this challenge into an opportunity. This is a powerful introduction to the concepts I explore in my talks and workshops.

Join me in my studio. I invite you to a workshop where I share the magic of transforming discarded tech into stunning art. With over two decades of experience, I will guide you through my creative process, helping you discover how your own creativity can contribute to a sustainable future.

This is "The Nest," an art installation I created in Mumbai from 2,000 discarded mobile phones. It embodies my core message: Disconnect to Reconnect. In an age dominated by screens, this piece serves as a reminder to pause and rediscover our connection with nature, with others, and with ourselves.

From e-waste to wearable art. In this video, a student from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) shares her experience from one of my workshops. It shows how we can challenge conventions and create sustainable apparel from discarded electronics, a key topic I cover in my sessions for design and fashion students.

The questions from young minds are always the most insightful. This interaction with students at the Canadian International School shows the curiosity and passion that my workshops ignite. My goal is to empower the next generation, our future guardians, to see waste as a valuable resource.

My work has been recognized by platforms like The Better India, which featured my journey of turning scrap into sculptures. This feature covers my process, from dismantling old gadgets to creating pieces like the "Kamadhenu" and a working clock from computer chips, demonstrating the practical and artistic potential of upcycling.

Ready to get your hands dirty? This short video gives you a taste of a DIY Electro-Mandala, one of the many creations we explore in my hands-on workshops. You will learn to see the hidden patterns and textures in electronic components and craft your own aesthetic composition.

About Featured

My work isn't just about creating aesthetics; it is about shifting the perspective on the technology we discard. Whether it is a 25-foot mural for a corporate office or an intimate workshop helping students rethink consumption, every piece I create is built from components I have salvaged from the local market. If you are looking to bring a sustainable story to your space or want to learn the craft yourself, this is where it begins.

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