Fri 9/8 @ 6-8PM
Fri 10/6 @ 6PM
Using discarded and recycled materials as the basis for art has been a major trend as (most) people have become more aware of how waste threatens the environment, although the practice has a long history. It was the theme of the United States’ contribution to this year’s Venice Biennale Archittetura, where five diverse artists from around the country presented work on the theme Everlasting Plastics — a show curated by SPACES’ Tizziano Baldenebro and MoCa’s Lauren Leving.
Now Valley Art Center is picking up the theme for its new show, Contemporary Debris, co-curated by Valley Art Center’s Julie Polsinelli and director of The Gallery at Lakeland, Mary Urbas. It offers art by 16 artists, fashioned from a range of recycled material including scrap metal sculptures, collages made from found objects, and of course, art made from plastics. Even Valley Art Center’s façade will feature a large sculpture that’s doubly recycled — it was made from recycled materials in the spring to display in Riverside Park.
“Artists have long recognized the beauty and potential of repurposing everyday items, breathing new life into discarded materials,” says Polsinelli. “By incorporating secondhand and found objects, artists infuse their work with layers of history and personal narratives, challenging viewers to reconsider the value and meaning of the objects that surround them.”
The show opens with a free public meet-the-artists reception on Friday September 8 and will be on view through Wednesday October 18. In addition, there’ll be a reception and art talk on Friday October 6, where Sydney Slacas will talk about the history and practice of using found and recycled materials to make art.
For a full list of participating artists and more information go to valleyartcenter.org.
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022