gas pumps converted into coffee machines, telephones, and fireplaces

to celebrate the all-electric nissan leaf, ‘a world without petrol’ transforms gas pumps into useful everyday objects

the exhibition ‘a world without petrol‘ transforms forty gasoline pumps (bowsers) into useful and playful items, among them a london telephone box, a garden trellis, water fountain, and coffee machine. the installation was commissioned by nissan in honor of the release of the 100% electric ‘leaf’ in australia– itself sharing the same upcycled roots as the project, containing recycled and 95% recyclable parts with seat fabric partially composed of recycled plastic bottles. the pumps were created by james dive of the australian branch of sydney/new york -based creative collective the glue society.

dive comments, ‘a petrol bowser that no longer pumps petrol is an exciting prospect. by taking such a functional object, and reinterpreting that function, it paints a compelling and light hearted insight into what a world might be like without petrol.‘

among the transformed bowsers: a television, popcorn machine, balloon stand, working safe, pacman gaming booth, fishtank, slurpy beverage machine, scarecrow, birdfeeder and birdcage, bubble machine, harp, dollhouse, refrigerator, and jukebox. during a recent exhibition in sydney, guitarists played at the amp pump, barbers cut hair at the barber bowser, and visitors snacked and tried their hand at mini golf and other games.

readers can see all forty of the bowsers at the ‘zero petrol‘ exhibition website, where there is also a voting competition through june 18th, 2012 to win one of the transformed pumps.

video footage from the public exhibition

left to right: bird feeder, bookcase, coffee machine