Monday, September 24, 2012

Reflections on Sustainability


from Huffpost Arts and Culture - Penny Paintings - 18.9.12 - artwork by Jacqueline Lou Skaggs

In tune with the virtual realities of today
could art become a virtual re-cycling depot?


REFLECTION
From the Australian Curriculum ACARA:
Sustainability addresses the ongoing capacity of Earth to maintain all life... 
Education for sustainability develops the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living.

We are on a 21st C journey that encourages sustainability - especially environmental.
Why not let those re-cycling thoughts overflow into the art world?

Ms Skaggs is a trend setter, a role model, turning old "worthless?" coins into a "canvas" for art.
HP comments:
...we admire Skaggs' desire to rescue the runts of the capitalist litter, saving them from a life spent below couch cushions or forgotten in pockets.

So, what other "canvases" could there be?
* I have seen old and weathered fence palings used as a canvas and a frame for artwork - I guess they may need treating for possible borers?
* I have seen old garden pots painted to display plants
* I have seen old plates, cups and bottles painted - or broken to create a mosaic for a coffee table top feature
* I have seen old LP records transformed into a mobile

But what about:
*old garbage bin lids?
* fabric fragments?
* old chair seats or backs?
* old cupboard doors + handles
* old drawer fronts + handles
* roof tiles and guttering
* foam pieces - great for overseas postings as gifts

Here is a new genre of art - COINED ART?
The term is "punny" enough to embrace all re-cycling categories.

Sustainability is not all about growing plants effectively but about creatively re-cycling the harvest of our society so that nothing becomes "waste".
Perhaps these thoughts could reduce the cost of procuring art supplies in schools.
The students could be given the task of rounding up some discarded items which could become potential canvases.
Their challenge would be to seek novel ideas.
Items could be stored as a resource for future lessons.

Now about those plastic bags....hmmmmm


To teach is to keep learning

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