Art

Every five minutes two million plastic beverage bottles are used in the United States. Five minutes; that’s all it takes for a nation to create this mass of waste.

426,000. That’s the number of cell phones retired in the US everyday. Now how many of these phones do you believe are disposed of properly, or even recycled?

These statistics are alarming to hear, but the reality is often hard to bear without visualizing the extent of these issues. Thanks to Chris Jordan of Chris Jordan’s Photographic Arts, we can do just that – visualize. In his collection, Running the Numbers, Jordan turns raw statistics like these into stunning pieces of artwork, each one a poignant social commentary regarding our penchant for consumption.

“I hope to raise some questions about the role of the individual in a society that is increasingly economic, incomprehensible, and overwhelming,” Jordan explains in his statement.

60,000 plastic bags are used every five seconds, and in a 60 x 72’’ photograph, you see them all. Each photographed image portrays a specific quantity, and is intricately assembled from thousands of smaller photos. So what seems like a multicolored splatter of paint at first glance turns into a dizzying array of plastics, thousands and thousands of them, years away from decomposition.

The photos are magnificent, and yet make a frightening statement. In Jordan’s Intolerable Beauty collection, there are no tricks of the eye to be seen. Pure waste and ruin tell a story of American consumption that makes you wonder how anyone could possibly use so much. Oil cans, paper, wood, e-waste, it all adds up to

“I find evidence of a slow-motion apocalypse in progress,” Jordan writes. “I am appalled by the scenes, and yet also drawn to them with awe and fascination. The immense scale of our consumption can appear desolate…even darkly beautiful; for me its consistent feature is a staggering complexity.

Jordan’s photographs are beautiful and shocking, intricate and thought provoking. I urge you to visit Jordan’s sight and view each photo while taking into account what we as individuals can do to change the shocking reality. And if you or a group of motivated students happen to have an idea about taking action, consider applying to our venture program for an opportunity to get 1,000$ to support your socially innovative idea!

Back in 2007, Artist Guillermo Vargas caused a violent outburst of protest on the internet when he used a starving dog off the street as an object of artwork. Apparently, he tied up the emaciated dog, placed bowls of food just out of its reach, and allowed the public to come in and view the slowly dying animal as "art."

This exhibit, titled "Eres lo que lees," according to Vargas, was intended to create public awareness of the thousands of starving dogs in his hometown in Costa Rica. Obviously, there was an immediate outcry against the artist. Thousands of online viewers signed petitions when photographs of the animal were placed on the internet. Facebook group
It is hard to distinguish between the facts and the rumors, but according to some sources, the animal died the day after the display. However, the art gallery stated that the dog was not tied up and actually had been fed.

When Vargas was invited to repeat his display at the Central American Visual Arts Biennial, many protested. The World Society for the Protection of Animals contacted officials to make sure that no animal abuse would take place at the event. WSPA

However, a startling new turn has occurred in this already twisted story. Apparently Vargas has told the public that the whole incident was in fact a hoax. He intended to trick the world to show the irony of the situation- millions of people are horrified at the starvation of one animal while many more creatures are dying in the streets right in front of their homes.

Many do not believe Vargas is telling the truth and is lying to save his reputation against the multitude of internet users petitioning against him. Guillermohabacusvargas.blogspot It is truly hard to tell what is reality- most of the information is from individual bloggers as opposed to a credible news site.

However, the whole situation does bring up a good point. Obviously, it is cruel to force a helpless animal to die, even as a statement to some larger truth, but there are indeed millions of animals that do starve right before us. Though there is a difference between choosing not to feed a stray animal and deliberating withholding food from a captivated animal, does it matter to the animal if he dies because he cannot reach the food in front of him or because he wanders for days without finding a scrap of nourishment? Are people angrier because they are forced to confront the reality of a dog's fate of starvation, when they convince to themselves that the dog on the street will be fed by someone else?

No matter what his intention was, Vargas did give everyone something to think about.

The image above is from Latinaviva.com

Making art out of junk mail? It may sound like a strange premise, but Sandy Schimmel of Schimmel Art does just that. With her collection of portraits constructed from materials like newspaper ads, greeting cards, and even junk mail, Schimmel turns trash into treasure.

Just looking at her cutting edge artworks, it’s hard to believe that such beauty came from everyday objects.

“I am a rabid recycler,” She admits in the artist’s statement on her site. “I’m compelled to utilize unusual resources to create my art.”

Schimmel’s creativity, talent, and passion for both art and recycling are what has lead her to become such a fabulous artist. There is something almost “Warhol-esque” about the bright colors and mosaic pop-culture edge she uses in each portrait, a trait that draws the eye and hooks the soul.

The subjects of Schimmel’s vivid artworks range from celebrities like Elvis and John Lennon, to your everyday average Joe. For a fee and a photo, she will make your likeness into a stunning mosaic portrait, and if you buy art as part of an organization, Schimmel will make a 30% non-profit donation on behalf of your mission.

“I take fascinating and colorful expeditions down rabbit holes. My art reflects the conclusion of these voyages utilizing an ability to see images in tiny bits, in a color scheme that may only exist in my mind. The how, the process, is not important - the finished creation is the sum of the parts and the end of the journey. Now, it is up to you to enjoy.”

And enjoy you must. Find out more about the motivation behind Schimmel’s work here. It might even inspire you to create some “junk-art” of your own.