Recession-inspired, recycled beauties

MANILA, Philippines - Milo Naval tackles recycling in his exhibit titled “Survivalism” which opens on March 2 at 6 p.m. at the LRI Design Plaza, 210 Nicanor Garcia St., Bel-Air II, Makati City. The show runs until March 14.

“In this exhibit, I would like to make the most of scarce materials by recycling or reinventing them, often in objects with multiple functions,” says Milo Naval. “The catalysts are the familiar problems of recession, environmental crisis, design neurosis and their roles in a saturated consumer culture. This is an opportunity for me as an artist to share my thoughts, and hopefully to present simple solutions on the global issue of recession in relation to my design approach. I hope to help the viewers as well as myself to navigate the perils of contemporary life. We all need to do our part in helping to preserve and protect our planet via recycling, for instance.”

For this show, Milo tapped unique existing and recyclable materials like old wood, newspapers, scrap metals, glass and acrylic, rubber from old tires, and used plastic bottles.

Naval’s furniture collection is often described as “clean, clear, and free of fuss.” Leaning towards European designs, his style is minimalist. He transforms indigenous materials like rattan, natural fibers, and wood into modern pieces with a distinct style.

Naval, an Architecture graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, is a member of Movement 8, a progressive alliance of Filipino designers whose aim is to promote Philippine design worldwide. He has exhibited his works in various international shows. His Wave day bed received the GMark (Good Design) award from the Japan Industrial Promotion Organization.

Naval’s novel furniture collection is on show at his first retail shop and showroom named OMO (On My Own) at the ground floor of LRI Design Plaza.

For more inquiries, call LRI Design Plaza at 895-1772 or 895-7949.