Nargiza Usmanova · CLIENT: Yonge + St. Clair
Tangled Paths is a large art installation made from recycled materials. The work measures three meters in width, depth and height. Cardboard sheets and egg cartons form twisting frames that are joined with glue and supported by steel rods, nuts and washers. Acrylic paint gives the interwoven structures their color. Placed in an office lobby, the sculpture can be viewed from every angle, and visitors may pass through the piece. Tangled Paths reflects the movement of city life and promotes the use of recycled materials.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- 'Tangled Paths' is a striking art installation that embodies urban life's movement, energy, and complexity. As part of the Design TO Festival, this piece is one of seven large-scale installations showcased in high-rise office lobbies, offering a moment of reflection within the fast-paced cityscape. Constructed using 90% recycled materials, 'Tangled Paths' highlights sustainability in urban evolution while engaging audiences in an immersive visual experience.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 3 m x Depth 3 m x Height 3 m
- Tags
- Art installation, Visual arts, Recycled installation, Urban art, Cardboard
- Production Technology
- The recycled project statistics:
Cardboard sheets - 80
Egg cartons - 250
Hot glue sticks - 800
Wood glue (L) - 5
Acrylic paint (L) - 6
Plus, 3 steel threaded rods, 16 steel nuts, 8 steel washers - Design Challenge
- The most challenging aspect of this project was developing a method to create large cardboard frames (measuring 3 meters by 3 meters) that could maintain their shape without breaking while supporting and intertwining with one another. The frames were constructed from lightweight, recycled materials such as cardboard, boxes, and egg cartons, and were joined together using glue.
- Project Duration
- The project started in October 2024, finished in January 2025 in Toronto, and was exhibited at the Design TO Festival from January to February 2025.
- Operation Flow
- The installation 'Tangled Paths' is a recycled sculptural, color-rich object designed to serve as the focal point in the business center's lobby. It's large scale draws attention, allowing people to view the piece from every angle and, if they wish, even pass through it.
- Research
- The research focused on ecological art, aiming to promote environmental awareness through recycled material installations. Objectives included exploring sustainability in design and raising ecological consciousness. Methods involved studying environmental data, analyzing artistic trends, and testing material durability. Tools included recycled materials and prototyping techniques. Participants were artists and environmental experts. Results revealed increased audience engagement with eco-conscious themes, showcasing design's potential to influence sustainability and inspire social responsibility.
- Inspiration
- 'Tangled Paths' encapsulates the chaotic beauty of life in a bustling metropolis like Toronto, where millions of individuals cross paths daily, intertwining their journeys in a dynamic web of human experience. Conceived and led by Nargiza, the installation’s creative vision takes shape through twisting and interwoven colour structures that symbolize the unseen yet profound connections between people – moments of collaboration, learning, and growth that define the city’s ever-evolving identity.
- Image Credits
- Image #1 - Photographer Maksim Zinchuk, NUMZ Graphics
Image #2 - Photographer Maksim Zinchuk, NUMZ Graphics
Image #3 - Photographer Maksim Zinchuk, NUMZ Graphics
Image #4 - Photographer Maksim Zinchuk, NUMZ Graphics
Image #5 - Photographer Maksim Zinchuk, NUMZ Graphics - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Nargiza Usmanova, 2025
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