• Sakarit Gunkhan (Chankaew) is a Brooklyn-based Graphic/Web Designer & Visual/Concept Artist

INTER/
PLAY
Math and Science Gallery Show 200 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn, NY April 17 - May 7, 2024
Lower Arc f-09 Gallery

Department Description

For years, the Pratt Institute Math and Science Department (MSCI) has offered courses that challenge students to transcend disciplinary boundaries by integrating their research into math and/or science ideas into their creative process.

The show highlights exemplary work at the interface between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the diverse creative disciplines represented by Pratt’s majors.

More than half of the work in the show was produced for one of the Pratt Math & Science courses. The department is grateful to collaborate with the working group of MSCI faculty/staff who curated the show, and to the students/collaborators who generously offered their work for inclusion in the show.

Project Highlights

ACT NOW: Or Live With It

Since 2019, my ongoing project—Quisquiliae 21st Century Dadaism: Art and Design for All Possible Worlds—has addressed the escalating climate collapse and pollution crisis through physical and digital media. Across its broader scope, the project spans sculptural posters, print goods, upcycled apparel, couture dresses, and motion graphics.

A curated selection of these works is now presented under the title “ACT NOW: Or Live With It.” Featuring large-scale bas-relief posters, an avant-garde jacket, upcycled backpacks, stuffed plushies, and motion graphics, this show uses raw tactile textures and visual media to confront environmental reality and demand immediate action.

Both the physical and digital works are intricate, multilayered, and integrate elements of Art Nouveau, Dadaism, Postmodernism, fine art quality, and graphic design. They feature bold shapes and vivid colors designed to catch the public’s attention, ensuring easy and clear communication of the urgency of our present emergency.

All the pieces complement each other to emphasize the urgency of addressing widespread pollution and the climate crisis, which are pushing our environment toward ecological collapse. My aim is to advocate for immediate action, conveying the message that if we don’t “Act Now,” we will be forced to “Live With It.”

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Reimagining graphic design from 2D surfaces to 3D wearable art and sculpture, this project converts discarded plastic bags, food packaging, bottles, and cardboard into functional emergency gear, totes, handbags, and sculptural posters. The resulting pieces balance high-fashion appeal with rugged utility, challenging viewers to rethink waste while spotlighting how creative design can address global pollution and climate change.

Featured Artworks

“Quisquiliae Nuntius”: A 3D bas-relief advocacy poster

“Quisquiliae Nuntius” is a 3D bas-relief advocacy poster that gives new life and purpose to discarded objects. Modern capitalism fuels endless production, generating non-degradable consumer goods, widespread pollution, and an accelerating climate crisis. By reimagining graphic design through bas-relief, a sculptural technique rich with human history, this work transforms everyday trash into a tactile, low-relief composition. The resulting three-dimensional textures and intricate details invite viewers into a closer engagement with garbage, revealing a stark, dystopian beauty that confronts our relationship with waste.

Quisquiliae Excalibur

A Large Wall Sculpture “Quisquiliae Sculptura”

The wall sculpture, influenced by Dadaism, recontextualizes discarded objects to address issues such as ocean pollution and the trash crisis. It was spray-painted to enhance its painting-like quality and echo Wassily Kandinsky's “Composition 8,” filled with visual rhythm and movement. (Quisquiliae means “garbage” in Latin)

“Quisquiliae Vestis” A Jacket from Trash

“Quisquiliae Vestis” A Jacket from Trash

This jacket was upcycled to address the decline of the publishing industry caused by new online business models, economic crises, and increased commercialization, as well as issues such as overconsumption, ocean pollution, and the trash crisis. Inspired by Dadaism, it was designed to provide 5 minutes of rainproof protection before seeking shelter, and ostrich feathers were added to achieve a “haute couture” look. (Quisquiliae means “garbage” and Vestis means “clothing” in Latin)

Dodi & Mina: Collectibles from a Discarded World

Handmade plush collectibles crafted from upcycled materials and industrial waste, including discarded snack packaging, Oreo wrappers, plastic buttons,and mailing bags. Adorned with gold sequins, button eyes, strings of pearls, beads, pearl shells, crystals, and charms, Dodi & Mina turn overlooked trash into tactile, character-driven sculptures that physicalize themes of playful survival and material transformation. Date of creation : November 19, 2023.

Tote, Handbag & Backpacks

This series of a tote, a handbag, and backpacks draws from two of my ongoing projects: Quisquiliae 21st Century Dadaism: Art and Design for All Possible Worlds (Fall 2019) and the Trash-to-Treasure Bag Collection (Summer 2022).

Each piece begins as a Dadaist paper collage constructed from discarded newspapers and magazines before being stitched into wearable art. Beyond their high-fashion aesthetic, these functional bags are built for durability, capable of carrying over 50 lbs (22 kg). By turning print media and everyday refuse into high-utility design, the series confronts both the decline of physical publishing and the overwhelming reality of the global trash crisis.

"Super Tote No.1”

Upcycled plastic waste, consumer packaging, plastic pearls, gold jingle bells, cotton canvas, heavy-duty handles.

Engineered with a heavy-duty cotton canvas lining and durable handles capable of carrying over 50 lbs (22 kg), Super Tote No. 1 blends rugged utility with a haute couture aesthetic. By embellishing discarded plastic packaging with pearls, crystals, and gold accents, the work elevates everyday waste into a high-fashion collectible masterpiece, confronting our culture of disposable consumption through the lens of luxury.

“Quisquiliae Continens”: Heavy Duty Tote

Dadaist collages were laid out before being stitched into functional totes and handbags. Designed for extreme durability, the pieces are lined with heavy-duty organic cotton canvas capable of carrying over 50 kg (110 lbs). The project title derives from Quisquiliae, the Latin term for “waste matter.”

“Quisquiliae Continens”: Substantial Handbag

In Latin, continens means "holding together," "continuous," "mainland," or "connected land."

Discover More

INTER/PLAY showcases student works that transcend disciplinary boundaries by integrating their research into math and/or science ideas to inform their creative process. Centered around themes in math, science, ecology, environment, and sustainability, the event is organized by the Pratt Math & Science department. 04/17.05/07.2024 Apr 17-May 07, 2024 Discover Inter/Play ARC LL F-09 Gallery, Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn, NY 07.2020-04.2021 Discover Jul 2020 - Apr 2021 Postal Mail Art Project, Berlin, Germany Contributed 60 unique mixed-media works to mail art projects curated by artists Varsha Nair (UK/India) and Karla Sachse (Germany). Participants’ work gathered in portfolios, exhibited/conducted through postal service in Berlin and Baroda in 2021 and donated to museums that collect mail art. UNI/2.Vers Bridges is an annual juried exhibition celebrating the talents of community college student artists from PAFA's partner institutions around the country and the inspiration of their educators. Featuring the work of PAFA undergraduate who began their artistic careers in community college. Discover Bridges 09.20-10.12-2019 Sept 20 - Oct 12, 2019 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), 118-128 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA Discover 09.20-10.12.2019 Political Intimacy:
THE R3TURN
Sept 20 - Oct 12, 2019 Recess, 46 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY This exhibition showcases artworks by students dedicated to cultural and social justice practices, addressing themes such as gender inclusivity, racial equality, environmental awareness, food security, immigrants' rights, cooperatives, and accessibility initiatives.
Discover 09.20-10.12.2019 CLIMATE CRISIS: Act Now or Live With It Nov 17 - DeC 7, 2023 3rd Fl., Juliana Curran Terian Design Center Pavilion, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY A Solo exhibition featuring artworks upcycled from discarded materials and found objects, including motion graphics raising awareness about trash pollution and "global boiling," and inviting the audience to participate in upcycling and reducing trash to be part of the change. Discover 09.20-10.12.2019 Empathy Towards the Natural World March 10–24, 2025 3rd fl, Pratt Studios, Juliana Curran Terian Design Center, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NYC This multidisciplinary exhibition aims to bring together individuals at Pratt who are inspired by or committed to the idea of living in a more ecocentric world.
Poster of the Political Intimacy: The Return
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