Cardboard Tugboat ‘De FURIE’ by Filip Jonker 2010

Filip Jonker is set to be the first person to cross the Channel in a boat made from cardboard. Assuming it survives the journey, the boat will sail into London and moor in St Katharine Docks as a curio within the Thames Revival.

Jonker, who often uses functional objects and reassigns their purpose, is building the tugboat using honeycomb cardboard: a lightweight, strong and sustainable material which will receive a heavy-duty coating to make it waterproof. The Dutch artist's previous work has included a wooden RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), a church made from railway sleepers and grand pianos made from concrete, all of which are placed out of context.

Jonker has received an innovation award from the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands to build the tugboat, and is working in partnership with Vripack yacht design, Megapur coatings, Vetus Marine and Pregis and Cader Packaging. Following its maiden journey, De Furie will also be on display at the Grenswerk Festival in the Netherlands, 25 September to 12 October.

www.filipjonker.nl
www.grenswerk.nl

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