TransNeomatic Bowl
by Joey Roth, Brooklyn, USA on 06.14.07

Inspired by the scooters that zip through Vietnam's streets at all hours but distressed by the mountains of used tires that end up in the country's landfills, designers Fernando and Humberto Campana created the TransNeomatic bowl. Made from a used scooter tire that's filled with a web of natural wicker, the bowls articulate the tension between modernity and tradition that informs much of the developing world. The bowl is actually a set of well-mediated contrasts: warm and cold, organic and mechanical, fast and slow. Each bowl is made in Vietnam using familiar handicraft techniques, and is part of Artecnica's Design with Conscience campaign.
UPDATE: A number of sharp-eyed readers have pointed out that the tire used here is new. I'm checking to see if this is just a prototype, and if the production models actually use tires "rescued from landfills".
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That's not a *used* tire. It's brand new. The little injection molding hairs are still on it.
The picture clearly shows a new tire being used. Are claims such as 'used scooter tire' verified? Using new tires would be a bit of a waste!
im am 100% for recycling but that is not a used tire. you can see the tread on it still
Good eyes! The product literature and booth representative at ICFF said that the tire was used. Perhaps this is just a prototype? I sent an email to confirm that the tires in the production version are "rescued from a landfill," and will post the updated info here.
I have some VOC's and other toxins with my salad, thanks!
That looks suspiciously like a new tire. I wonder if the used ones are as nice.
Looking at the little rubber 'whiskers' that are sticking out of the sides of that tire, I would say that it is not used.
I sincerely hope that the one in the picture is a prototype, cuz that tire is brand spankin'new (notice the rubber "nipples" from the injection process). Couldn't find anything on it at the listed link.
Inspired by waste ... to create more of it. Hard to not call this greenwashing. Hope it's just a bad picture choice and I'm wrong.
A used scooter tyre? Clearly the tyre in the picture is brand new - hardly as green as it is trying to make out!
That's a brand new tire!
It's not recycled, you can see the fresh tread and the fine threads of rubber left by the injection moulding process!
Saw this at ICFF and posed the same "but is it recycled?!" question to Artecnica's reps, pointing out the seemingly unworn grooves and rubber threads sticking out of the tire. They explained this was only a prototype and that the Vietnamese artisans (these are hand made) who created the sample ended up using only a slightly used/worn tire for it which explains why the prototype looks so new. can't wait to see how the final product will look like...
That is indeed a prototype. The production pieces are 100% recycled tires sealed with an eco-friendly sealant.