Superegg: A Sculpture Installation Reflecting on Consumerism and Environment

Jaco Roeloffs' Award-Winning Art Piece Encourages Recycling Habits

The sculpture's design is inspired by the rapid multiplication of single-use coffee capsules, a symbol of modern consumerism. The geometric 'superegg' shape at the heart of the object, combined with the capsules, presents the contributions of hundreds of coffee consumers. The capsules are arranged into a new pattern, transitioning from random to perfectly spaced lines. This arrangement offers a new perspective on waste and encourages viewers to rethink their recycling habits.

Superegg stands out due to its unique properties. It reveals the beauty and harmonious co-existence of humans and nature, made possible by thought-provoking art. The levitated Superegg creates a visceral experience that engages the viewer from all angles and distances. The ability to experience feelings and change perspectives through art unites people, which is reflected in the sculpture's image.

The support structure of the sculpture is made of aluminium, steel, and plywood. The cylindrical core has nine plywood 'wheels' cut and spaced precisely to form an exact superegg. The exterior is formed with 64 aluminium strips bent and rolled to match a 'Lame curve'. LED strips illuminate the sculpture from the inside out. Over 3000 aluminium coffee capsules were collected via a call to action on social media and the local community. The capsules were cleaned, dents removed, then spaced accurately and glued on the surface.

The sculpture serves as a visual, textured art object, with the intention of being viewed up close, or from a greater distance. There are no defined viewing angles, encouraging the viewer to make their own discoveries. The installation represents the contradiction of disorganised consumer product packaging rearranged in perfectly spaced lines, allowing for the beauty and randomness to be revealed.

The project started in May 2019 in Brisbane and was exhibited in September 2019 at the SWELL Sculpture Festival on The Gold Coast, Australia. The design research and development were carried out according to the author's observation of consumer behaviour and studies on the resultant impact of waste on our environment. Crowd-sourcing the main material for the sculpture installation (used coffee capsules) helped create an intriguing story of community involvement and care for the environment.

In conclusion, Superegg is a powerful representation of the impact of consumerism on the environment. It is a call to action for viewers to rethink their recycling habits and contribute to a more sustainable future. The sculpture's award-winning design and the story behind its creation serve as a testament to the power of art in promoting environmental consciousness.