Located an hour outside of Jakarta, in Bogor City, is one of Indonesia‘s rising talents. Merging art with fashion, Alfaz aka skatesuckers has been upcycling keyboards for wearable art. Having just been at his craft for a year, the 26-year-old has been finding new life for e-waste by crafting his signature balaclava, gloves, slides, sunglasses, and vest using old keycaps. When he is not skateboarding or shooting films, he’s at the junkyard scavenging for old keyboards. Under his Button Network imprint, Alfaz’s one-off drops/art projects have sold out instantly.
Having just displayed his works at his first solo exhibition, we invited Alfaz to our studio to learn more about how he’s been handling his recent global success, and where the plans on taking the Button Network. From discussing how it all began, the process involved in each one of his designs, to a first look at some of his upcoming creations, join us as we sit down with Alfaz to go over his “keys” to success.
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
Hi, I’m Alfaz Syam. I was born in Sukabumi, Indonesia then moved to Bogor City in 2012. I’ve been living in Bogor ever since. I’m the creator of the Button Network, and I love to skateboard and cook. My other passions are graphic design and filmmaking. This of course overlaps my interests in art and fashion.
“I didn’t think they would reshare it but they did and a bunch of people started liking it so I made more.”
Your medium of choice is anything to do with keycaps. How did that start?
My work involving keyboards/art started in 2022. This came from an interest in upcycled fashion and my research in reworked clothing and accessories last year. I will eventually get into creating the actual garments but am still learning how to use my sewing machine. I stumbled upon a pair of slides on Pinterest where there were a few keycaps randomly placed on the slide and it was not really wearable but still cool. I then got the idea of making my own version that could be worn and shared it on my Instagram. Someone then commented that I should share it with this account that shares interesting pieces of fashion media and art. I didn’t think they would reshare it but they did and a bunch of people started liking it so I made more — gloves, balaclava, shoes, shades…etc.
Button Network is my online outlet where my limited handmade pieces can be purchased. People can also make special orders or reach out to me to collaborate. From Button Network, I’ve been able to link up with names like Higround, The Anti Order, Amun Starr, and Beazt ID Shoes.
Where do you typically source all your materials from?
I go to refuge depots and look specifically for keyboards. Most of the time the keyboards are the color back which is why a lot of the works are in black. I also have works produced with other colored keycaps but I have to source those from PC stores. So it’s actually better for the environment if you buy my works with black keycaps because you’re giving those keys a new life.
“I am grateful and it is an awesome feeling. Like “no way,” how did this happen so fast?”
What was your “eureka” moment when you realized you could create using salvaged keyboards?
I guess when I started getting followers and positive comments. I was like “wow.” I didn’t expect this idea to go so far and I thank God for everything. I am grateful and it is an awesome feeling. Like “no way,” how did this happen so fast?.
Would you consider your work more art or fashion?
I think you can call it both because all my art is also wearable.
Can you walk us through what goes into creating one of your pieces? Everything from prep work to how many hours are required to create each item.
All my repurposed keycaps in the color black are from old PC keyboards. These are old-school mechanical keycaps that are taller than the ones produced today. A little bit more prep goes into these because I have to cut them smaller one by one. This takes time but I have created a tool that helps speed up the process. From there I need to clean each one up so that they are ready to be used for custom work. I’ve tried a few different types of glue until I found the right one that holds. Sometimes I’ll incorporate screws for more durability. I remember the keycaps on my first pair of slides kept falling off but now I created a process where they are fully wearable and the keycaps stay on.
“Like, it might be something completely different but you’ll find at least one keycap hidden in there.”
What’s next for the Button Network?
My plan is to experiment with new forms of art while still doing me. Like, it might be something completely different but you’ll find at least one keycap hidden in there. I’m also going to be working more with a sewing machine and might drop some clothing with Button Network.
“I didn’t think they would reshare it but they did and a bunch of people started liking it so I made more.” “Like, it might be something completely different but you’ll find at least one keycap hidden in there.”
