AVOCADO MATTER

Avocado Matter is inspired by effects the avocado ‘trend’ has on communities worldwide. Is the growth in demand down to the perceived health benefits as food, skincare and hair product, a tasty addition to the uprising brunch, or the popularity on Instagram making it a trend we all want to be a part of? What has driven our obsession with avocado’s? And how much do we know about where they come from or why they cost so much?

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According to an article in the Guardian, there is an increasing amount of avocados produced in Mexico by the drugs cartel, fuelled by illegal deforestation. Water consumption used during production of avocados is estimated at a bathtub per fruit before it’s been picked and poor weather conditions in New Zealand caused plantations to struggle in 2011, prices soared in supermarkets which led to theft and riots.

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Question: Why are we so obsessed with avocado’s, yet see little value in their waste?

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Working with a local Mexican restaurant, Cheeky Chicos, Polly collects the waste material, testing it’s qualities and limitations with biobased production techniques. This exploration has resulted in three key materials: Avo’flex, Avo’solid and Avo’dye. These materials vary in texture, appearance and colour, with potential to be used in various different applications including interior product, fashion accessories, and decorative pieces.

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The project is still in it’s early days. Polly welcomes collaborations, commissions, questions and comments.