Scrap dogs

WORDS Debbie Loots

These bright-eyed, life-size, one-of-a-kind puppies are part of a range of lights called Robots, designed by Philippe Bousquet. You can see them at the Guild Design Fair in Cape Town until Sunday 9 March.

A French architect-turned-jeweller-turned-designer, Philippe’s first collection of scrap-metal lights sold out overnight at the Design Indaba in 2008. Encouraged by feedback to create work inspired by green principles – such as zero waste – he has since been toiling away. Among other creative endeavours, he designed another range of lights, shown at Design Indaba in 2010, called After Dark. Adding to the green credentials, he eliminated welding from the process and did not use any new materials, except for wiring and bulbs.

For this collection, Philippe has extended his range of materials to include other scraps, such as plastic and wood. Inspired by sci-fi movies of the 1950s and 60s, the results are even more charming and delightful. We’re particularly enamoured with these pooches’ quirky tails!

In addition to this new range, Philippe has opened an exhibition space. To view or buy any of his artworks, furniture and lights, visit the Red Dog Showroom in Pretoria.

Red Dog Showroom, Unit 89 Business Park, 354 Derdepoort Road, Silverton, 082 579 6160, philippe@thereddog.co.za, thereddog.co.za

The Guild Design Fair is the first expo of international collectible design in Africa and is showing at the V&A Lookout in Cape Town until Sunday 9 March. Read more here.