31 March 2010

Environmental Art in NYC

Excess and Environment:
sustainability in a world of consumption

"What We Leave Behind" by Erwin Timmers
Materials: cast recycled window glass, steel. Dimensions: 70" x 50" x 16"
The beautiful dark green glass with gold highlights was recovered from the construction site of a Virginia office building where the building was undergoing a cosmetic updating of the facade. The spandrel glass discarded from the old building was used as the basis of the cast glass panels.

About the exhibition: "Excess and Environment"
The presence of excess exists in our day-to-day lives, but often hides behind masks of disposal systems, social acceptance, and misinformation.
This exhibition explores the idea of the impact of our excess on our natural environment both visually and theoretically. The art involved will relate to mass consumption and waste's effects on the environment. Art using these excess materials as a medium will also represent this concept of sustainability in the midst of excess.

Excess and Environment
Opening Reception:
Friday, April 16th 2010
7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
AE Studios LIC, 39-06 Crescent Street, Long Island City, Queens, NY 11101
(One stop on the subway away from Midtown Manhattan)


Artists showing work include Chris Jordan, Eve Mosher, Walter "Tinho" Nomura, Justin Gignac, Akirash, Mikal Hameed, Erwin Timmers, Miles Wickham, Beau Stanton, Destroy and Rebuild, Christina Chobot, Trash Track and more.


"What We Leave Behind" Erwin Timmers
Detail: images of panels depicting the 1980's and 2000's


According to the artist, the series, What We Leave Behind was conceived from the viewpoint of an archaeologist, who might, centuries from now, uncover artifacts from our era. Just like the archaeologist, you are looking down to uncover the items. Elements are recognizable from the various decades … objects once in popular use but now resting in landfills.

The title of the work is based on the book about our culture of excess and the impact our trash will continue to make long after we are gone: "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman.

The profits from the art sold at this exhibit will be split between the artists and Art for Global Justice, so that we may sustain the local artist community and keep Art for Global Justice's youth workshops and art exchange program going.

No comments: