MainGUILTY presents “Wave of Connections” at Expo 2025 Osaka
As part of Expo 2025 Osaka, MainGUILTY presented the piece “Wave of Connections” from September 26 to 29, at the Portugal Pavilion, as part of the official national program. This work stands out for being entirely created from industrial waste — discarded wood from the furniture industry and surplus wool — transformed into living art.
From industrial waste to artistic rebirth
“Wave of Connections” was born from an attentive gaze toward what is usually overlooked — the scraps, leftovers, and excesses of production. By reusing discarded Portuguese wood and residual wool that would otherwise go to waste, MainGUILTY reclaims the value of upcycling as a creative engine and artistic expression.
The process begins where everything would normally end — in the remnants of industry — and through design, it is transformed into something that transcends its origin. Each fragment of wood carries the marks of time and human craftsmanship, while each thread of wool recalls the invisible processes of production. In the union of these forgotten materials, a visual narrative emerges — one that celebrates imperfection, reuse, and the beauty of rebirth.
More than a reflection on sustainability, the work invites a shift in perspective: waste becomes poetry, industry becomes memory, and design becomes a vessel for renewal.
Transforming sustainability into emotion
During the event, Carlos Mello, Creative Director of MainGUILTY, took an active role in the official presentation panel, engaging with visitors about the creative process, the challenges of selecting and transforming discarded materials, and the symbolic meaning behind each element: the red and yellow discs, evoking the flags of Portugal and Japan; the nautical knots, symbols of connection and resilience; the wave motif, inspired by the motion of the sea; and the ceramic details, which pay tribute to the artisanal legacy of the Portuguese Discoveries.
The piece received extremely positive feedback from both the public and the international press, being highlighted as one of the most talked-about artworks of the Expo.
Many visitors took to social media to describe “Wave of Connections” as a work that moves and inspires — giving life to what was once forgotten, and transforming industrial remnants into artistic and cultural expression.
Portugal Pavilion achieves historic success in Osaka
“This piece proves that sustainability is not a trend, but a material for form, content, and beauty,” noted one curator present at the event.
With more than 16,000 visitors per day and a total of 2.2 million visitors, the Portugal Pavilion reached a historic record of attendance. The pavilion was internationally recognized, winning Best Theme – “Ocean, Blue Dialogue”, Bronze for Best Exterior Architecture and Best Presentation, as well as achieving top rankings in Best Medium Pavilion and Best Mascot.
MainGUILTY’s message: what we discard can still inspire
For MainGUILTY, “Wave of Connections” is a statement of intent — that what we discard can find new life, that art can emerge from what is left behind, and that cultural dialogue can also arise through reuse.
“We didn’t just seek to create an object; we sought to give voice to what has been silenced by mass production. Each fragment of this piece is a testament to what Portuguese design can achieve when it looks at waste not as residue, but as raw material for emotion and meaning,” explains Carlos Mello.
Through industrial waste, MainGUILTY has created a work that unites and tells stories, projecting Portuguese design into a world that demands awareness, authenticity, and purpose. “Wave of Connections” stands as proof that even in what remains, there is always something that can be reborn — with soul, art, and identity.