Art at the Dump

Fri, Apr 21
5pm-9pm and 1pm-5pm
free

Artists use garbage to create and inspire us to be less wasteful -
that is the aim of Norcal Waste Systems' Artist In Residence Program.
Work by Sarah Barsness and Ed Clapp will be on exhibit at a free
reception on Friday, April 21st from 5 to 9 p.m. and again on
Saturday, April 22nd from 1 to 5 p.m. at the art studio at SF
Recycling & Disposal's at 503 Tunnel Avenue in San Francisco.
This exhibit is the climax of a unique residency where both Ed and
Sarah scavenged through San Francisco's very own detritus. Ed and
Sarah had the opportunity to collect all of their art materials from
the public disposal area and the salvaged items that they found were
used to construct and to inspire their artwork.
Ed worked mostly with wood and created sculptures "that will
hopefully inspire people to look and to feel deeply." Ed explains, "
I work with the detritus of our consumerist, 'throwaway' culture. I
hope to find creative uses for trash that will make people more aware
of material that we use in daily life."
Each artist gathered very different materials reflecting the
differing themes in their work. Ed's show titled, "Redemption",
signifies the ability to "redeem" discarded materials and make them
new again. He was interested in returning the materials back to a
natural, organic form to remind us from where our raw materials come.
Sarah collected fabric, umbrellas, nylons and buttons to create
colorful web-like pieces. "The challenge of making art with found
objects is that the objects must tell you what they want to become;
they cannot be forced to cooperate with some preconceived notion. It
requires patience, faith and a deep sensitivity to the significance
and potential of each object. It also requires time."
Sarah's show titled "Fugitive" is in reference to the ephemeral,
tenuous, constantly shifting and fleeing nature of both objects and
the self and their close relationship to the seductive and
overwhelming power of memory. According to Sarah. "Objects seem to
move so quickly from being essential and treasured to being useless
and burdensome. Retrieving discarded objects shifted them once again
to a level of value and meaning."
The program was initiated in 1990 by the joint efforts of artist Jo
Hanson, the City of San Francisco and the company to spur people to
conserve natural resources and to instill in children and adults
increased appreciation for the environment as well as art. More than
55 artists have completed residencies.
Bay Area artists apply for the very competitive dump residencies.
Those selected by a nine-member advisory board are handed the keys to
a 2,200-square-foot art studio and given access to San Francisco's
garbage and recycling facilities.
Art from the program is displayed in local schools and in public
spaces. Many participating artists also make a permanent piece for
the 3-acre sculpture garden on the hillside above the San Francisco
Transfer Station, where 2,100 tons of landfill-bound trash is dumped,
crushed by bulldozers and top-loaded into 18-wheelers five days a week.
Each day, trucks drop their hauls from San Francisco at the garbage
and recycling complex at Tunnel Avenue and Beatty Road. To residents
and businesses the truckloads amount to rubbish; to artists the daily
deliveries are a tremendous source of art materials.
"I hope my work sparks the viewers' imagination and allows them to
think differently about trash and about what we are doing on and to
the planet." -Ed Clapp

For more information contact
Paul Fresina
415 330 1414


Deborah Munk
415 330 1415

Venue:

SF Recycling & Disposal Artist in Residence Program
503 Tunnel Ave
San Francisco
415 330 1415
http://www.sfrecyclinganddisposal.com/AIR

From the Bay Bridge take 101 South to Monster Park Exit/Tunnel Rd.
Exit; go straight on Beatty to Tunnel Road. Take a right on Tunnel
Rd. 503 Tunnel is the white building with a red dot.

From the Peninsula take 101 North to Monster Park Exit, take a sharp
left onto Alanna St., go under the bridge, turn right on Beatty St.
to Tunnel. Turn right on Tunnel. 503 Tunnel is the grey building with
red dot.

Additional Info:

415-330-1415
http://www.sfrecyclinganddisposal.com/AIR