Ebe Collective

Giulia Brugnoli, Allegra Rusconi, Benedetta Spandri

Ebe Collective is a circular design studio based on upcycling and creative reuse of excess textile materials. Through collaborative design and local community engagement, the studio explores the potential of deadstock, samples, and offcuts. With products, workshops, and training programs, their aim is to extend the life of materials and prevent waste.

In conversation with Ebe Collective during the exhibition Oltre la pietra at Castelgrande, Bellinzona.

What is the purpose in your work?

Our main goal is to communicate, through small performances, projects, workshops, and laboratories, the importance of reusing waste materials. We want to show how crucial it is to create art, not just any art, but works and projects made from discarded materials that are usually sent to incinerators and burned. Our role is mainly educational, but also to raise awareness daily. That is why we decided to come to Castelgrande in Bellinzona with Matazz, to be surrounded by young people and to promote the reuse of waste materials and the many beautiful things that can be created from them.

How do you see the role of the artist today?

Speaking with other artists, it seems the role of the artist has evolved and is more than that of a messenger. This is very interesting because it unites us all. Today, what matters less is the final object and more the path taken to create it. In my opinion, this shared journey is what ultimately connects us. The path is more important than the destination. The goal is not important, but the path is, and this idea perfectly sums up our approach.

Tell us about the project you exhibited at Oltre la pietra

Initially, there was a proposal for a workshop where participants could make a small individual product or gadget to take home. However, we decided to propose a collective project instead, where everyone works together (...). The manifesto that will be donated to Matazz is made by everyone; anyone can leave a message, express their thoughts, and create whatever they feel, using materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
We brought with us the Arazzi collection, made by students from SUPSI, based on the principle of reusing materials. In this project, we emphasize the Zero Waste philosophy, aiming to design with minimal waste.
Thanks to the Arazzi collection, created by students who had never dealt with textiles before, we succeeded in raising awareness on this theme and leaving a message, a manifesto. Each Arazzo represents a reflection on the society we live in, from Europe to third-world countries, where perspectives differ. Many make art every day without realizing it. They might not see themselves as artists; they are simply people asking questions and bringing curiosity to their work.