Empty Legacy I and Empty Legacy II, 2001
Recycled lighters, plastic tubing, metal, and electric wires

Project XS is an initiative developed by Ann Wizer in collaboration with a community of scavengers living in Jakarta. Their art objects are both aesthetic and functional, the product of recycled trash from the vast and overflowing landfills in Jakarta. "Legacy I and II," begun in the Philippines and completed in Jakarta, are chandeliers composed of hundreds of empty and cleaned plastic lighters culled from public beaches. Project XS’ product line contains handbags, furniture, clothing, etc., and sold in boutiques. Ironically, those who can afford to buy these brightly colored, durable objects are in effect, buying their own trash. It remains to be seen if Wizer’s collaborative project can effect social change in elevating public awareness about its habits of consumption, and also concerning the city’s abject poor who must live from scavenging.
(Text by Amanda Rath)