The Bubble Gum EFFECT

I like the aesthetics of the Bubble Gum. Pink, translucent and malleable, so unique in a way. It was invented in the States in 1928. Before that, mastic gums from resin were used by the Ancient Greeks. The bubble gum, a recognisable symbol of modern mass consumer culture in the developed world. A cool object, a pop item.

I wanted to explore materials as they appear naturally and the different aspects of sustainability in material choice and process. The questions of waste and litter in our environment occurred during my train of thought. I got this idea of a chair seen as a chewing gum found left in the streets after reading that it’s a huge problem in the UK that people just leave their old sofas left to die out in nature. I came to the conclusion that dressing a chair like a huge bubble gum would be an interesting bridge between the sustainable questions of this project and pop culture; the latter which will grab the attention of the younger generation.

Inflatable forms came to me, as one of the most suitable materials for this idea. It’s soft and bouncy to sit on, and gets a shiny almost translucent look when inflated. I really like the mix of the harsh and brutal, skinny steel frame and the soft, cute and almost comic inflatable shape.