The 'Electri-City' Tables by Ben Yates

I have an interest in using recycled materials in sculptures, particularly circuit boards and other wasted electronic and mechanical components with which I put together sprawling cities lit with fairy lights.

These cityscapes can conjure an image of a parallel society built from what we throw away. Utopian or dystopian, the 'Electri-Cities' remain a feast for the eyes and the mind. What makes them particularly intriguing is the population of tiny model railway people—they bring a host of never-ending urban stories as you follow the little people on their daily business and shopping trips, back-alley deals and leisure activities.

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As well as being a detailed and fun artwork, the Electri-Cities are encased in acrylic and glass coffee tables, making them practical pieces of furniture.

I try to reuse as much of the wasted components as possible—screws taken out of computers are sometimes used to secure the city's buildings down to the 'ground', and I use the plastic or metal outer casings in forming the structures of the buildings or bridges. Working pieces of equipment have also been used in some cities, including a CD player and speaker system, digital photo frames, and a windows PC, pictured below.

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