Leeroy New transforms retired devices into ‘Curious Waves’
Leeroy New has turned discarded IQOS devices into a sculptural tide called Curious Waves, now installed in the newly redesigned boutique at the Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia. The work piles the tiny metal and plastic parts of the devices into layered ridges that mimic the rolling motion of Manila Bay’s waters.
Drawing on his upbringing in General Santos and his time spent surfing in La Union, the artist channels the language of waves—swells, tunnels, ripples—into the composition. The sculpture becomes a visual echo of the ocean, inviting shoppers to see familiar components in an unfamiliar, fluid form.
New’s practice revolves around curiosity: he disassembles objects, studies their mechanics, and reassembles them into something unexpected. He hopes visitors will pause, spot the individual device pieces, and experience a small discovery within the retail setting.
The piece is part of IQOS’s “Curiosity in Motion” campaign, a partnership that may extend to merchandise and future installations, reinforcing the idea that everyday materials can be reinvented through imaginative inquiry.