In a context dominated by frenetic rhythms, productivity and immediate consumption, “Worth of Wasted Time” by NABA student Valentina Pliško explores a countercultural gesture: devoting time to what was created to be discarded. Embroidery becomes a way to slow down, observe, reconnect with those materials that pass through our hands every day without a trace.
Inspired by memories of her grandmother, who was able to transform simple textiles into objects full of value, the author applies the same care to everyday scraps: tea bags, makeup remover wipes, rubber gloves. In stitch after stitch, what is ephemeral is charged with new meaning and questions whether an object’s value comes from its function or the attention we give it.
The project challenges the traditional idea of luxury as material wealth. “Worth of Wasted Time” suggests that the luxury of the future may be the possibility-and the freedom-to employ our time in unproductive but deeply intentional gestures.
If time is the most precious resource we possess, can the care devoted to what we consider useless turn it into something new and meaningful?
The project, along with all the finalist works from the “Normal is Extraordinary” international contest , will be on display at the MAXXI Corner from Dec. 5 to 8 (free admission).
Download PDFs
