Muar Couple Creates ‘World’s First’ Recycled Lion Dance Costume
A Game-Changing Artistic Approach
Becoming an artist often requires resources – paint, canvas, tools. For architects turned environmental artists Celine Tan and Oscar Lee, the realisation that art could be made from waste was a game changer.
The Birth of Co2_karbondioksida
This ethos led to the birth of Co2_karbondioksida, a name that reflects not only their environmental mission but also the initials of their partnership: Celine and Oscar.
A Bold Statement for the Environment
This Chinese New Year, as Malaysians gear up with firecrackers, lavish gift hampers, and well-stocked fridges, this duo has made a bold statement for the environment.
The Art of Recycling
Their latest piece – an eco-friendly lion crafted from microplastics – stunned audiences earlier this month with its captivating dance performances.
The Process Behind the Lion Costume
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, they shared their journey and the intricate process behind crafting this recycled lion costume, which they claim to be a world first.
From Architecture to Art
The duo, who met while studying architecture at Taylor’s University, left their Kuala Lumpur-based jobs in 2017 to return to Muar, Johor, where they began creating murals to sustain themselves.
Collaboration with Joymom’s
Their first piece in Muar was followed by many others, including one in Petaling Street. "I thought, there is so much free material around us. Why not use waste as the key elements to create art?" Lee shared.
The Lion Head
The project began with a challenge: creating a lion head from food-packaging waste, a material vastly different from the traditional lightweight paper used.
The Process
Lee took two months to handcraft the lion using plastic food packaging. The duo also enlisted help from Lee’s old primary school. "We wanted to highlight the issue of microplastics, so we asked students to collect plastic food packaging from home," he explained.
The Design
The pair’s innovation extended to the costume’s design. "We recreated batik patterns by cutting out flower motifs in various colours," Tan shared. "When I finished, I realised the patterns resembled those in Chinese and Indian traditional outfits. It felt so Malaysian."
The Hidden Message
The lion’s mouth carried a hidden message: the Chinese character "Fu", meaning "blessing". "During Chinese New Year, it’s a reminder to share good words and happiness with those around us."
The Final Touches
With help from Lee’s mother, the couple took about two months to complete the costume. The process was painstaking: cutting silver strips from Milo packets for the beard, and using coffee packaging for gold accents.
The Debut
The eco-lion debuted on Jan 3 at Glasshouse at Seputeh, and later performed at The Exchange TRX in KL.
The Public’s Reaction
"The public initially thought it was just another lion dance. When they learnt it was made from recycled packaging, they were so surprised," Tan said. "Even the lion dance association members said they had never seen one made from recycled material, and actually loved the shiny look under the sun."
A Personal Touch
For Lee, this project carried personal meaning: his father had passed away from cancer just weeks earlier, on Dec 17. "They say lion dances chase away bad luck," he mused. "It was also the first time we brought my family, including my grandmother, to see one of my artworks. This performance felt like we were finally moving past misfortune."
Conclusion
With microplastics linked to cancer risk, the message hit especially close to home for Lee. This lion dance wasn’t just another art project – it was a powerful statement involving an entire community.
FAQs
Q: How did you come up with the idea of creating a lion dance costume from recycled materials?
A: We wanted to highlight the issue of microplastics and create something unique and innovative.
Q: How did you design the costume?
A: We recreated batik patterns by cutting out flower motifs in various colours.
Q: What was the most challenging part of the project?
A: Creating the lion head from food-packaging waste was a significant challenge.
Q: What do you hope to achieve with this project?
A: We hope to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and reducing waste.
Q: What’s next for Co2_karbondioksida?
A: We plan to continue creating art pieces that showcase the beauty of recycling.