The Torch

Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Arts

Media Credit: Isaac Viel BRING's "Re:Art" features work by 26 artists using all-recycled materials. "City View of Old New York Pier 2 of 3," by Kara Young Finger, is part of a series of New York photos placed in reused windows.

One person's trash is another person's treasure … or art, as seen in "Re:Art, an Earth Day Celebration," an exhibit in the BRING Recycling's gallery. Re:Art features artwork by 26 artists in a wide range of genres with one thing in common: all of the pieces are made out of reused or recycled materials.
BRING Recycling, one of the nation's oldest non-profit recyclers, aims to educate Lane County on new ways to incorporate recycling into everyday life. In addition to its shop of salvaged household and construction supplies, BRING now holds an art gallery, which showcases art addressing the relationship to the planet through the use of natural and re-used materials.
"Re:Art" exemplifies a multitude of uses for recycled materials. There are paintings on burlap sacks, a sculpture out of bicycle frames and purses made of rubber inner tubes.
"All objects have potential to be something beside their original intention," Mathew Jones claims in his artist statement for his piece, "Think With a Planted Mind." Jones creates one-of-a-kind hanging sculptures that incorporate natural and recycled materials.
"Re:Art" came about when Nathan Taylor and Elizabeth Lamb, gallery co-managers, began to put together a show for Earth Day. "We knew we wanted to do a group show to allow a number of artists to exhibit and to showcase the diversity of recycled art that is being made," Taylor said.
The two managers put out a call to artists, which local, regional and national artists responded to. Katie Simpson, a Portland-based artist, submitted "Spore" to the exhibit. "Spore" is part of a collection Simpson has created, all working with plastic bags. She was inspired to work with the material after reading about garbage stranded in the North Pacific Gyre.
"We all have seen plastic bits and bags and bottles in a natural setting, just sitting there not decomposing," Simpson said. "So I figured I should use some of it. Also by changing it's context I hope to point out it's pervasiveness in our lives and environments."
Jed Turner created "Wired," made of plugs and switch plates. Taylor finds it compelling, and explains "it is a comment on over consumption and one of several pieces in the show that are not only made with recycled materials, but also impart a social commentary."
BRING's exhibit on using art as a connection to nature will run through May 29. The gallery, located at 4446 Franklin Blvd., is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools