Art to Save the Planet
by Rose Fox, New York City on 07.18.06
NYC artist Flash Light tells us that the "2D-D-Detritus" exhibit, the latest installment of the Art from Detritus series, has been extended through July 23rd. To be eligible for inclusion in Art from Detritus shows, artwork must be made primarily from discarded objects and materials. This year's theme is collage, and the materials used include fabric, bark, rubber, and string. Art from Detritus was started in 1994 by Vernita Nemec a.k.a. Vernita N'Cognita, an artist who's been working with found materials for over a decade. She continues to curate the show and is blunt about her reasons for promoting art made from trash: "Art from Detritus is an exhibit of art to save the planet." Her site has links to works featured in past shows. Any Treehuggers in town over the next few days can see the exhibit at Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White Street in Manhattan. Images of work featured in past Art from Detritus exhibits are available here. ::2D-D-Detritus
Using garbage to make art is a very common practice. Many artists are committed to only using found, discarded, and surplus materials. It's a fine idea but I fail to see how it saves the planet. And what kinds of toxic paints and adhesives are being used to make it all hang together?
I understand & appreciate your concern but besides using materials & detritus (scraps) headed for landfills, the artists I include in this exhibit (including myself!) are not only making 'worthless trash' into potentially 'priceless' objects that will never be discarded, they are making the viewing public more conscious- in a truely creative way - of the need to recycle & reuse rather than discard. Please, if you ar in NYC in May, come to the next Art from Detritus exhibit, opening at the Synagogue for the Ats @ 49 White Street in Tribeca, Thursday May 18th 6-8pm. Please join us & be inspired!