What is typically regarded – or rather, disregarded – as merely a common trash receptacle has now become an interactive work of art. Inspired by the childhood practice of placing magnets on a magnetic surface, Italian artist Alice Ronchi has transferred this nostalgic act over to Vipp’s iconic pedal bin, an object that has been reinterpreted by artists and designers such as Bono, Philippe Stark, and André Saraiva. Rather than simply using the bin out of necessity, Ronchi wants you to play with The Magnetic Edition. “Throwing something in the bin is often an act of instinct,” the Milan-based creative explains. “Therefore, I wanted to give extra attention to this very functional everyday object, that usually tends to blend in with its surroundings. By adding tailor-made, carefully created magnets, I wanted people to interact with the bin, making it an equal protagonist of the home, not just something you put in the corner.”
Ronchi designed the six magnets to resemble the shapes and organic forms of seaweeds. Because seaweed is often translucent in color and floating in motion, she made sure to convey these details. The artist reflects on the process: “I worked intensely on the coloration of the magnets. I wanted them to appear transparent, to generate an elegant feeling of lightness, brightness, and fluidity as though they were floating in the bin’s mirror-surface.” To produce this effect, Ronchi worked closely with Italian company Giovanardi Spa.
Each large magnet is 1mm thick polished steel with an element of iron, which makes them magnetic. They are backed with soft felt to prevent scratches and gently bent into a curve to seamlessly conform around the receptacle. With ample space for nearly endless configurations, the bin becomes a blank canvas and the owner becomes the artist.
To shop The Magnetic Edition Pedal Bin by Alice Ronchi for Vipp, visit vipp.com.
