Alesia Cîdă
”Caution! Rotating Blades” sheds light on the complex process of textile recycling, a growing concern as Romania prepares for new EU regulations mandating separate textile waste collection by 2025. Romania ranks 7th in Europe for textile manufacturing, yet the industry struggles with the intensive processes of sorting, shredding, and repurposing discarded textiles.
To demonstrate these industrial challenges, a children’s playground has been modelled on the workings of a textile shredder. The playground offers a tangible journey through the lifecycle of unwanted garments. Emerging from field research and collaborations with two textile recycling factories in Timisoara—Eco Cinix and IMP Romania—the work is built primarily from leftover materials donated by the factories. The installation not only highlights the labour-intensive and wasteful nature of textile recycling but also encourages rethinking consumption habits and taking greater responsibility in the face of waste.
Alesia Cîdă works across sculpting, painting, collage, and fashion design, drawing from her special collection of ”junk” amassed over years. She graduated from the London College of Fashion.
Credits
Thanks to my mother and father for helping me complete the projec / EcoCinix who provided shredded textiles in different formats / IMP Romania who provided volume wadding made out of recycled polyester / Speedwell who provided leftover materials from the 1 Iunie Factory / Gabriela Bordînc / Tailor Shop Maria