Repurpose Past Ventures: Transform Them into Practical Artwork

In a world where clutter can often be overwhelming, two creators, Gerrit Coetzee and Gregory Charvat, offer guidance and advice on how to control and manage it. Today, we're taking a closer look at Gregory's unique solution - a wall-mountable digital clock panel, crafted from repurposed circuit boards and projects, each with its own story.

Gregory's creation was a journey down memory lane, as he repurposed old hardware into a stunning piece that celebrates and showcases his hardware work. The panel, adorned with salvaged controls, functions as a digital clock with seven-segment LED displays. Each unit on the panel was meticulously repaired and modified to power up and function.

The panel, which appears to have a life of its own, was created with the intention of freeing up storage space. As you move up the panel, you'll notice that the projects become more recent, with earlier projects (some from childhood) mounted near the bottom. This nostalgic journey was not just a way to declutter, but also a means to honour and memorialize old hardware.

Gregory uses an Arduino MEGA along with vintage integrated circuits and components from old logic ICs to build his digital clock panel. The panel's creation involved repairing and modifying each individual unit, making it a labour of love and a testament to Gregory's dedication to his craft.

For those who struggle with clutter, Gerrit Coetzee offers some practical advice. He suggests letting go of unfinished projects, repairing and modifying items to give them a new life, and finding creative ways to showcase your possessions, such as Gregory's digital clock panel.

If you'd like a closer look at the panel, you can find a video embedded below the page break. It's a fascinating glimpse into Gregory's world and a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to declutter and repurpose their own items.

Gregory's digital clock panel is more than just a functional piece; it's a testament to the power of creativity, nostalgia, and the desire to declutter and honour the past. It's a reminder that even the oldest and seemingly obsolete items can be given a new lease on life, and that sometimes, the best solutions are the ones that celebrate our history while looking towards the future.