The Alchemist
The Alchemist

Agelio Batle with an array of graphite objects in his studio. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanLong before Agelio Batle perfected the art of turning plastic milk jugs into glowing pendant lamps, he had a penchant for unloved materials.
Perched in his studio in the Potrero Hill district of San Francisco are abstract steel heads, like something out of Beowulf or Game of Thrones, wrought from discarded fencing and steel rod he found in the Philippines while visiting his parents. “I can never sit still – I have to be doing something,” explains the artist, who chopped and welded the metal forms.
Batle had already done some experimenting with the opaque plastic milk containers and was curious to take it further. So this past June, joined by wife and business partner Delia, sons Noa, 17, and Nilo, 15, and a few of their classmates in the interdisciplinary arts program at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (for which Batle has helped devise and teach curriculum), he turned the Workshop apartment into a think tank, laboratory, and milk container repository.
In the exploratory phase, Batle and crew dissected jugs in order to identify and extract the most decorative and functional components. “Take the handle, for example. Cut a certain way, it can resemble a calla lily, a trumpet flower, or a phalaenopsis orchid. Another part looks like a fishbone and creates this really elegant repeating pattern.” Leaves and flowers for the trailing tendrils were cut from the flattest part, what Batle dubbed the “filet.” And reducing the bottoms to their component triangles, which create jewel-like facets when welded back together, sparked a bonus geometry lesson that touched on the nature of platonic solids. After filling boxes with components, the group started piecing them together and exploring how the disparate shapes interacted; some were attached with a hot-air de-soldering gun, others using cold connections. By the end of the residency, they had created some 26 lamps in six different styles.
“The idea is for kids to turn in their toy guns, which we will crush, chip, melt down, and extrude into molds to make eggs that will be decorated and embellished with text, such as ‘Once upon a time, this egg was a toy gun.’ It’s like a rebirth, a second chance.” As with the milk jugs, the process is as important as the final product.
“Creating the lamps was a perfect way for the students to see that you can take one of the ugliest things on Earth – an old milk jug – and with some care, transform it into something beautiful. Which is, I think, a very cool life lesson.”
Image Gallery
Agelio Batle with an array of graphite objects in his studio. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanDrawing Hand No. 2 is a cast of Batle’s son’s hand, taken when he was about 6 years old. Photo: Jonathan Batle
Mark TuschmanDuring the Workshop Residence program, Batle, with the help of his family and students from the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, made lights out of discarded milk containers. The resulting milk container lamp kit is now sold through the Workshop Residence program. Photo: Delia Batle
Mark TuschmanA vine puzzle painting by Batle in more than 20 separate frames. The pieces are made to be easily rearranged for new configurations. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle at work. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Quill (2005), made of die-pressed graphite. Photo: Jonathan Batle
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Feet (2006), made of die-pressed graphite. Photo: Jonathan Batle
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Cicada (2012), made of die-pressed graphite. Photo: Jonathan Batle
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Sparrow (2011), made of die-pressed graphite.
Mark TuschmanBatle with his wife, Delia, and sons Noa (left) and Nilo. Making was a family affair at the Workshop Residence program. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanDuring the Workshop Residence program, Batle, with the help of his family and students from the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, made lights out of discarded milk containers. The resulting milk container lamp kit is now sold through the Workshop Residence program. Photo: Aiko Cuneo
Mark TuschmanDuring the Workshop Residence program, Batle, with the help of his family and students from the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, made lights out of discarded milk containers. The resulting milk container lamp kit is now sold through the Workshop Residence program. Photo: Delia Batle
Mark TuschmanDuring the Workshop Residence program, Batle, with the help of his family and students from the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, made lights out of discarded milk containers. The resulting milk container lamp kit is now sold through the Workshop Residence program. Photo: Delia Batle
Mark TuschmanDuring the Workshop Residence program, Batle, with the help of his family and students from the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, made lights out of discarded milk containers. The resulting milk container lamp kit is now sold through the Workshop Residence program. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanThe Batle family thrives on repurposing objects. Delia Batle stands by the pantry in their home, made from recycled cabinets and drawers. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Marble Soda Cans, one of a limited-edition series made by Batle as a way of poking fun at the “pomp of formal sculpture.” Photo: Jonathan Batle
Mark TuschmanA twig head made by Nilo at age 9 and a wood veneer lamp prototype grace the Batles’ living room. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanGraphite-and-paint works, each 9.5 inches square. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark Tuschman
An orange wire sculpture by Batle welcomes visitors to the family’s home. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Noa working on a welded plastic toy soldier sculpture. Photo: Mark Tuschman
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Lasso, made in 2011. Batle used branches from the trees across the street from his studio, along with industrial epoxy and cord, to make these playful jewelry pieces. Photo: Agelio Batle
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Lasso Ball, made in 2011. Batle used branches from the trees across the street from his studio, along with industrial epoxy and cord, to make these playful jewelry pieces. Photo: Agelio Batle
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Lasso Cross, made in 2011. Batle used branches from the trees across the street from his studio, along with industrial epoxy and cord, to make these playful jewelry pieces. Photo: Agelio Batle
Mark TuschmanAgelio Batle, Spool, made in 2011. Batle used branches from the trees across the street from his studio, along with industrial epoxy and cord, to make these playful jewelry pieces. Photo: Agelio Batle
Mark Tuschman