what is a crack?
As John Holloway defines it, a crack in capitalism is an action not involving any kind of transaction, an action that occurs in an environment different than the one where it was initially planned, an action that is not foreseen by the system.

While exploring the city, its inhabitants and their practices, we could not help but notice the increasing number of scavengers, all kinds of garbage collectors and re-users. This practice differs from recycling in various ways, primarily by not being included in the production chain. When recycling of materials occurs in the cadre of scavenging it only proves profitable to individual, but not to the state as happens with institutionalized recycling. In addition, the part of scavenging that interests us the most is that of the re-use of objects found in the garbage, seen as a second sorting of what was produced by the economic system and in part was rejected by it.

definitions
That takes us to the next step, which is the definition of garbage, as well as to who the person that interests us is. Garbage is defined by the person rejecting an object finding it no longer useful. However, that very object might seem of use to another person, having different needs or seeing a new use in it. Such a definition is recongized by popular current movements such as the freeganism trend, comprising of people conciously rejecting consumerism.

With the use of modern media such practices are being widely transmitted. It is now common to find tips on dump- ster diving online as well as indications on “trash hot-spots”.

Taking the definition of garbage to a next level, we locate the “producers” and their concentrations in the city, which enables us to map the predicted average amount of garbage. Taking six groups of products most commonly found in the city we create a network of trash routes which could work at the same time as both a mapping of the current situation and a guide as to where certain objects should be left in the future.

With our intention being the encouragement of reuse of objects as such and not as material, the whole project is concerned with the absolution of scavenging practices. A new network of scavenging routes, distributed and announced all around the city would popularize the “reviving of dead objects”. Why not use a chair found by a dumpster when it functions perfectly well? Or even almost expired sealed products most stores can no longer sell.

To us, the new kind of scavenger is in need of new equipment, guidance through the city and information.
So we design and fabricate his kit of essentials. A small package storing scavenging equipment, protective uniform and goggles, a route map printed on textile. The kit itself unfolds to become a stepping stool for the shorter ones.

Now scavenging can become more than dumpster diving for few ones. The kit is easy to manufacture and distribute, making it also a social statement when those carrying it are counted, answering immediately to the question “How many of us go scavenging?”
















































the new dumpster
A means of facilitating the reuse of garbage is by facilitating and reinventing the action of “dumpster diving”. Consequently, we design a new kind of intelligent dumpster, specifically for the purposes of garbage collection.

What is necessary for a scavenger in action is the convenience of reaching even the bottom of the dumpster. So, ergonomically speaking, it is necessary for the dumpster to be reachable from all around. It is also essential for the different types of garbage to be sorted at dumping. For the purposes of garbage collection, when that becomes necessary, the dumpster needs to be easily lifted and cleaned.

The new dumpster is composed of up to six detachable, malleable compartments, each one destined to carry a specific type of garbage. Each compartment is placed in such a way that it can easily be reached by the group of people it is addressed to. The size of the compartments changes in response to the 4 load they need to receive, and they can easily be unmounted from the pole, around which they revolve, when they need to be emptied.


in collaboration with
Peni Michailidou
Marios Papanikolaou
Nefeli Vassilopoulou

supervised by
Evi Athanassiou
Anastasios Tellios
Stavros Vergopoulos