Artists Transcend E-Waste: Transforming Discarded Electronics into Inspiring Artworks

Have you ever wondered what happens to your old mobile phones and laptops once you discard them to make room for newer models? The United Nations estimates that the world produces over 50 million tonnes of electronic waste, or e-waste, every year, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. India, according to the latest Global E-Waste Monitor, is the third-largest producer of e-waste, generating over three million tonnes annually. Unfortunately, e-waste in Indian landfills contaminates soil and groundwater, posing risks to food supply systems and water sources, as highlighted in a study published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine.

Fortunately, a group of innovative artists in India is addressing this issue by converting discarded electronic devices, such as mobile phones, motherboards, and televisions, into impressive murals and artworks. These artists are not only creating visually stunning pieces but also raising awareness about the importance of recycling and proper disposal of e-waste.

Haribaabu Naatesan, based in Mumbai, has been at the forefront of this artistic movement for the past 25 years. Naatesan utilises e-waste to create mechanical installations that blend elements of nature and industry, serving as a commentary on consumerism and waste. His raw materials come from friends, relatives, and neighbours who contribute bags of discarded electronic appliances, recognising his interest in e-art. For larger installations, he purchases larger quantities of e-waste, like a tonne, from markets such as Sakinaka. Naatesan’s work has gained recognition, and he has created massive murals and cityscapes for corporations, including an enormous whale mural measuring approximately 17 meters by six meters for the Science City aquatic museum in Ahmedabad. His artwork has been showcased at prestigious exhibitions, including the India Art Fair in Delhi.

Naatesan’s recent works often feature an interactive element, with components coming to life as viewers approach his installations. Sensors blink and fans rotate, adding a dynamic and engaging aspect to his art. His artwork titles, such as “Comfortably Numb” and “Remembrance,” incorporating obsolete parts like old floppy disks, CDs, and turbines from discarded washing machines, evoke emotions and thoughts on consumerism and waste. Naatesan named his company Fossils, symbolising that future generations may consider electronic waste and motherboards as fossils thousands of years from now. One of his most famous creations is a Volkswagen Beetle made from over 2,800 pieces of scrap, including motherboards, cassettes, and spark plugs.

Vishwanath Mallabadi Davangere, an artist from Bengaluru, has also long been involved in the world of e-waste art. His passion for working with e-waste was ignited during his time at an IT firm. Davangere, the son of renowned sculptor and painter D M Shambhu, disassembles old laptops, speakers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to create birds, animals, flowers, and plants. After retiring, he dedicated himself to this hobby and began selling his creations globally. His notable works include a piece inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” utilising up-cycled resistors on wood, coated with clear epoxy resin. He has also crafted a robotic Egyptian bust with glowing red eyes, a “Milky Way” made from cables and keyboard keys, and a Vastu Purusha Mandala, an ancient Indian metaphysical architectural design, using deconstructed computer components. Davangere meticulously dismantles e-waste devices, segregating and categorising minute parts based on their size, texture, shape, and colour. He even digitises each piece to streamline the design process, creating alternative mock-up designs.

Feature Image: An onlooker at award-winning artist Haribaabu Naatesan’s show ‘Irreversible 2.0 – Obsoleteness is Mukti’ Courtesy: designdekko