For many artists, the journey begins with a canvas, paint, and brushes. But for architects-turned-environmental artists Celine Tan and Oscar Lee, their creative vision took shape in an unconventional way through waste. Discovering that discarded materials could be repurposed into art was a game changer, leading them to establish Co2_karbondioksida, a name that reflects both their eco-conscious mission and their initials.
As Malaysians prepare for the Chinese New Year with traditional festivities, firecrackers, and extravagant gift hampers, Tan and Lee have made an artistic statement for sustainability. Their latest creation, a striking lion dance costume made from microplastics has captivated audiences with its breathtaking performances.
The duo met while studying architecture at Taylors University before leaving their jobs in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. They moved back to Muar, Johor, and began painting murals as a means of financial support. What started as a single mural quickly evolved into numerous works, including a notable piece in Petaling Street.
"I saw so much free material around us. Why not use waste as a core element in our art?" Lee reflected.
Their passion for upcycling took a new direction when they collaborated with Joymoms, a local cookie business. This partnership sparked the idea of merging recycling with Chinese cultural traditions, leading to the creation of an eco-friendly lion dance costume.
The project posed a unique challenge constructing a lions head from discarded food packaging, a material vastly different from the conventional lightweight paper. With the support of Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association, an internationally renowned troupe from Muar, the duo obtained a damaged lion head to restore.
"They were puzzled," Tan recalled. "They asked us, 'How are you going to pull this off?'"
Determined to make an impact, Lee and Tan enlisted help from Lees former primary school. They encouraged students to collect plastic food packaging from their homes, turning the project into an educational initiative about microplastics and sustainability.
"In just one week, they gathered seven to eight boxes of packaging," Tan shared. "We only used one, but it was an eye-opener to see how much plastic waste a single household produces."
The creative process extended beyond just recycling; it involved intricate artistry. By cutting colorful floral motifs from discarded materials, Tan discovered the patterns resembled elements of Chinese and Indian traditional attire, reinforcing the cultural diversity of Malaysia.
The lion's mouth featured the Chinese character "Fu" (blessing), a symbolic reminder of sharing positivity and goodwill during the festive season. The costume, which took two months to complete, was meticulously crafted using 273 pieces of plastic food packaging. Silver strips from Milo packets formed the beard, while coffee packaging added golden accents.
One of the biggest challenges was weight management. Traditional lion heads weigh under 4kg, but after assembling the plastic components, the eco-lion reached 5kg. "Performers must lift it throughout a 10-minute dance, so we had to ensure it remained functional despite the added weight," Tan explained.
The eco-lion made its debut on January 3 at Glasshouse at Seputeh and later performed at The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur. Audiences were astonished upon learning that the dazzling costume was made from waste.
"The lion dance association members had never seen a recycled costume before and were impressed by how beautifully it reflected sunlight," Tan added.
For Lee, this project held deep personal significance. His father had passed away from cancer on December 17, just weeks before the lions first performance.
"They say lion dances ward off bad luck," he said. "For me, this was more than just an art project it was about closure, healing, and moving forward with my family."
With microplastics linked to health risks, including cancer, the projects message resonated profoundly. This innovative lion dance costume wasnt just a display of creativity; it was a statement on sustainability, community engagement, and the potential to transform waste into something meaningful.
Through their work, Tan and Lee have proven that discarded materials aren't just trash they can be reimagined into art, culture, and even blessings for the new year.
Source: FMT
