Futura2000's latest 'Pointman' sculpture finds a home at Potato Head Bali

Futura2000’s latest sculpture rendition of his globally recognised character, ‘Pointman - River Warrior’, will be unveiled at Potato Head in Bali tomorrow, 9 December.

Playing akin to Potato Head’s bastioned lifestyle and ethos that are rooted in eco-conscious reduction of daily waste, Futura2000’s otherworldly character of Pointman “speaks to Potato Head's ideation that sustainability can be beautiful.”

Long before being cemented as a creative icon in 1992, The Pointman was conceptualised back in the 70s and 80s. It wasn’t until Leonard Hilton McGurr aka Futura2000 was commissioned by James Lavelle’s MOWAX Records to design for their project UNKLE that the figure became a global phenomenon.

The Pointman’s debut appearance was on the cover of UNKLE’s Psyence Fiction album; its peculiar and acutely conical body shape and glaring omni-presence blew up alongside the success of the British outfit’s album. Futura has previously stated, “Without the UNKLE experience, I don’t think anyone would have ever heard of the Pointman.”

Since it’s 1998 debut, Pointman has had it’s fair share of evolution, through original concepts as well as collaborations; over the years, Pointman has been at the centre of allure for brands like Bathing Ape, Nike and Levi’s and Descente, from where the artist created Futura LABORATORIES.

Potato Head and Futura2000 are both entities driven by concern for the state of the world’s environment, namely pollution in rivers and oceans. Both Bali and New York City are facing serious concerns about the flow of garbage across their rivers: for Futura2000, his studio located on the Hudson River has a view of the Statue of Liberty that is inconveniently obstructed by the transport of garbage and free-floating river trash.

‘Pointman - River Warrior’ is a reaction inspired by the excess junk the world has produced, and its fabrication is made up of nothing but waste — “everything from motor oil bottles to discarded water gallon lids sourced by the community organisation, Yayasan Kakikita, were used.”

Tomorrow, on Friday, 9 December, the OMA-designed Potato Head Studios, as part of Desa Potato Head, welcomes the River Warrior sculpture to its new abode. A launch event featuring a performance by Australian dance company Chunky Move, craft beers, and Balinese food stalls. Korean artist, Rostarr, who now resides in Bali, will host a panel with Futura2000, according to Potato Head Bali, as ”two long good friends exploring Futura’s legacy in culture, inspirations, connection to Bali and global waste problem.”

The party continues with Detroit staple Marcellus Pittman, DJs from the Yeti Out crew and Rub ‘n Tug. Limited merch by Futura Laboratories x Potato Head including t-shirts, tote bags, and tumblers will be available at the launch, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sungai Watch to support their mission of cleaning Bali's rivers.

To find out more, head over to Potato Head Bali’s website here, or stroll off Petitengit Beach and onto their eco-decadent property.

Arun Ramanathan is Mixmag Asia’s Director. Follow him on Instagram.