Trash into Treasure: The De Saisset Rethinks Waste
Marika E. Krause
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 4, 2013—The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University explores how artists can help build sustainable communities through the creative reuse of materials in Reduce, Reuse, Re-Imagine. The exhibition is on view now through Dec. 6, 2013 and Jan. 11 to Feb. 2, 2014.
For generations, artists have looked to found objects as a source for art making. Through creativity and ingenuity they have repurposed and transformed cast-off materials, giving them new life as art. The artists in this exhibition take that tradition one step further—engaging a Zero Waste philosophy, the participants in Reduce, Reuse, Re-imagine rescue objects from the waste stream. These include items disposed of as trash rather than recycled by local residents and businesses. Artists then reimagine these objects in a new context to create original, enticing, and thought-provoking works of art. Through their work, the artists illuminate our role as active participants in the management of Earth’s limited resources.
Made possible by a grant from Santa Clara University's Sustainable Resource Initiative, this exhibition draws upon the work of nine professional artists, many of whom have previously participated in San Francisco Recology’s unique artist-in-residence program. The show includes both large- and small-scale works made from a variety of materials ranging from recycled wood to discarded clothing, paper, and cloth. In addition, the show includes sculptural works by 12 Santa Clara University students. Together, the artists in Reduce, Reuse, Re-Imagine explore new ways of thinking about art and the environment; their work encourages us to make positive, sustainable changes in our everyday lives and in our communities.
Professional artists include Val Britton, Ryan Carrington, Lauren DiCioccio, Julia Goodman, Jeff Hantman, Barbara Holmes, David King, Scott Oliver, and Sudhu Tewari. Reduce, Reuse, Re-imagine is co-curated by Lindsey Kouvaris of the de Saisset Museum and Ryan Reynolds of the Department of Art and Art History.
Events:
The museum celebrates the opening of Reduce, Reuse, Re-Imagine with a public reception on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Media Contact:
Lindsey Kouvaris | de Saisset Museum | 408-554-4528 | 408-554-7840 fax | lkouvaris@scu.edu
About the de Saisset Museum
The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University is the South Bay’s free museum of art and history. The museum was founded adjacent to the Mission Santa Clara de Asís on the Santa Clara University campus in 1955 and is one of only three museums in the South Bay accredited by the American Association of Museums. The de Saisset Museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets objects of art and history for the educational and cultural enrichment of all people. The museum achieves its mission through an active program of exhibitions, collections, education programs, and publications.