Inspiring Creativity, Environmental Action and Empowerment through Design
NEW YORK – April 15, 2014 – Tatiana Pagés, activist designer, founder of the Origomu Project and CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Greencard Creative, is leading a public demonstration in honor of Earth Day at the Globe at Columbus Circle. This activation will encourage people to change their way of thinking and to become open to new possibilities, inspiring creativity and building a sense of community through the power of design.
Meaning “folding rubber” in Japanese, the Origomu Project is a movement that aims to motivate people to act and embrace a greater sense of responsibility towards the planet by transforming plastic six pack rings into wearable art. This activation will show New Yorkers “trapped” in a net of Origomu, symbolizing the birds and other wildlife that become caught in trash, bringing the need for environmental stewardship to the forefront of people’s minds. The Origomu demonstration will take place at the Globe at Columbus Circle on Tuesday, April 22nd from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM.
The Globe was chosen as a location for several reasons. In addition to the globe itself being a perfect symbol for Earth Day, the location is also symbolic. Columbus Circle is a heavily trafficked intersection in New York City, located at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South and Central Park West and at the southwest corner of Central Park. It is also the point from which all official distances from New York City are measured. Similarly, Origomu lays at the intersection of many disciplines: design, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, education, fashion, and more.
“Origomu forces people to change their way of thinking and to become more open to possibilities,” states Pagés. “What one person might consider garbage, I consider a possible work of art.” The purpose of the Origomu Project is to not only create high-end design, but to go beneath the surface of art to ultimately inspire creativity and encourage individuals to exercise their limitless potential and bring optimism to the world through the power of art, reinforcing self-esteem and a sense of community.
Origomu aims to empower low-income women and members of local communities to see the beauty and potential in what others might dismiss as “junk.” Greencard Creative uses Origomu as a business model for low-income women in need, particularly ex-convicts who need a second chance, demonstrating that all people can be creative. Pagés leads workshops that teach women the skills they need to create art wear, which in turn teaches them a trade that they can use for income, along with a sense of empowerment.
To date, Greencard Creative’s Origomu initiative has reused more than one million six-pack rings, has attracted approximately 500 designs from over 25 countries and was featured in the Eco-Fashion Going Green Exhibit at the Museum at FIT. The Origomu movement won a Gold Davey Award (small business big ideas) for an Integrated Marketing Platform and Greencard Creative was invited to give a speech at New York University.
About Greencard Creative
Greencard Creative is a New York City-based branding, strategy and design firm. Greencard Creative was founded by Tatiana Pagés, a brand visionary with unique expertise in the Latin America and U.S. markets. Through in-depth research, Greencard Creative looks at human behavior and uncovers key consumer insights to help build global brand movements. Greencard Creative has worked with notable clients and brands including Smirnoff Ice, Pepsico/Ocean Spray, Heineken, Diageo, Petit Nectars, Gallo Winery, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, Frito Lay, Campbell’s, and the Country of Ecuador. For more information, visit www.greencardcreative.com.
