When Giuseppe Padovani looks at a pallet, he sees more than just a pallet. Padovani envisions countless potential designs for artwork, furniture, toys, or marketing displays. And even more importantly, he has a glimpse of hope for those in need.
The process of turning old pallets into something new such as artwork or furniture is starting to catch on around the country. Known as upcycling this process of recycling old goods into better, usable artworks, furniture and products is the next phase in the green movement. And Padovani of Verona, Italy has put his own unique spin on the idea aimed at helping troubled young people.
In 2012, Padovani created Avanguardia designed to provide jobs for troubled young people who are fighting to overcome drug and alcohol addictions or serve alternatives to prison for minor criminal convictions. This non-profit organization uses the pallet as a vehicle for social transformation.
Avanguardia does not sell products online or in a retail environment. Instead it contracts with local businesses and patrons who want products, marketing displays and other items that are designed with a social conscious as well as environmental benefits by using completely recycled materials.
As an accomplished architect and artist, Padovani sees significant beauty and potential in what others look at as broken pallets or scraps of wood. Padovani explained, “For me the pallet is the best object of design in all history. Pallets are very versatile and can be turned into many different objects worthy to be shown in a museum.”
The process is fairly simple. The Avanguardia team develops a vision for the project to be completed and finds the right pieces of wood for the job. The material is cut into strips, planed and combined with others to take advantage of the natural shades offered by each distinct piece of wood. This wood is then turned into everything from tables, chairs, displays, boxes for wine, children’s games and much more.
In addition to the project work done by the organization, it also hosts art exhibits, workshops, musical concerts featuring up and coming bands and other events designed to spark creativity, social improvement and collective artistic collaboration.
Padovani works with a number of dedicated artisans who help lead the effort. And his daughter, Francesca, is the president of the organization. Giuseppe is the visionary founder and public spokesperson for the organization.
Two unique examples on display at the organization’s workshop in Verona, Italy is a wood box designed to dispense boxed wine. This project adds a degree of sophisticated design to what otherwise might be a rather dull package. And another interesting idea is the Social Cube, a wood box display with graphics on a pallet that has panels that can open to reveal bins or other compartments. These displays are great for trade shows of fairs where a socially conscious public image is important. Made of recovered pallet components, the displays feature color graphic panels.
When is a pallet more than a pallet? The answer it seems is when you add some imagination to it and see that a pallet never has to die. It can simply be reborn as something else, maybe even something better.
For more information on Avanguardia or just to be inspired by its designs, visit www.avanguardiaverona.it
