Artists have used found objects in their work for a very long time; it’s nothing new. They’re accustomed to inspiration arriving in familiar, but unexpected packages: dog food labels, cigarette foil, curtains, socks, window screening, bicycle tire tubes, a scrapbook dating back to the early 1900s that documents the story of a young bride. Their skills lie in uncovering a facet of popular culture and drawing conclusions about it to help us understand it more thoroughly.
GLEAN, an unique environmental education program, gives Portland area artists access to a steady stream of discarded materials at the Metro Central transfer station, a stipend and an exhibit to showcase their works. The opening reception for GLEAN is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 at Disjecta Contemporary Art Center in North Portland at 8371 N. Interstate Ave. The exhibit remains at Disjecta through the end of September.
The goal of GLEAN is to get people to think about their consumption habits, consider new and innovative ways to conserve resources, and initiate a larger conversation about the waste we generate. Now in its second year, the program is a collaboration between Metro, the regional government that guides the region’s garbage and recycling system; Recology, an employee-owned company that manages resource recovery facilities; and Cracked Pots, an environmental arts group that manages the program.
The artists, selected by a jury of arts and environmental professionals, include Andrew Auble, Chandra Glaeseman, Greg Hanson, Jennifer LaMastra and Sarah Wolf Newlands. Reflecting the diversity of talent in the Portland region’s creative class, the group consists of instructors at area art schools, graduates of well-known universities and an art therapist. They are award winning professionals whose works have been in solo and group shows – locally and nationally.
Their work ranges from sculpture to mixed media assemblage to wearable art. They use modern and archaic forms, altering the commonplace into non-traditional and sometimes formal compositions.
Those who visit the exhibit will have an opportunity to nominate their favorite piece by each of the five artists shown. The results of the People’s Choice Awards will be posted on Metro’s website after the show comes down.
Take a look behind the scenes at the GLEAN exhibit, watch the artists sift through trash at the Metro Central transfer station, visit their studios, and learn more about what you can do to create more and waste less at Metro’s website at www.oregonmetro.gov/glean. For more information, contact Amy Wilson (503) 278-0725.