WWF's Pandamonium

This evening in Hyde Park will be Pandamonium, as the World Wildlife Fund unveils unique commissions from leading artists, designers and architects, created to inspire awareness of WWF’s breadth of work and the threats to our natural environment.

The piece is constructed from communications material of the charity, reworked using a traditional origami technique. As with much of my work the material itself catalysed the project; my passion lies in process, technique and material exploration

Co-hosted by Turner prize winner Grayson Perry and Ed Smith, chairman of WWF UK, expect an evening of performance; an auction by Phillips de Pury, food by Kolfer & Kompanie and an open air catwalk show, curated by Artwise, featuring wearable sculptures from the likes of Rowan Mersh, Stuart Haygarth and Sian Evans, Susie MacMurray, Zaha Hadid and Studio Roso. Dazed Digital spoke to Mersh of his design, made from old WWF magazines, in aid of the fundraising event to protect wildlife and habitats, tackle climate change and promote sustainable ways of living.

Dazed Digital: Can you tell us about the piece you realised for Pandamonium?
Rowan Mersh: The piece is constructed from communications material of the charity (their member magazines), reworked using a traditional origami technique. As with much of my work the material itself catalysed the project; my passion lies in process, technique and material exploration.

DD: You have a really strong aesthetic. How did you arrive at your practice?
Rowan Mersh: My education was routed in textiles; my BA between 2000-2003 at Loughborough University, Multimedia Textiles, and my MA between 2003-2005 at the Royal College of Art, Constructed Textiles. Both courses provided me the freedom to pursue an extremely experimental approach within my practice.

DD: Was there a particular influence which set you off on your creative path?
Rowan Mersh: I have always drawn a great deal from artists such as Rebecca Horn and Olafur Eliasson who merge conceptual brilliance with visual beauty.

DD: Is there any material you'd like to work with that you haven't yet?
Rowan Mersh: The list is endless!

More info HERE