July's Featured Artist + Resource 07/03/2009
 Trash, an Alphabet City Media book edited by John Knechtel and published in 2007 is an almost pocket-sized book in which artists, writers and filmmakers look at how we are defined by what we waste. Trash surveys a terrain that ranges from micro (a typology of dust bunnies) to macro (studies of landfill design and the trashed space of urban brownfield sites). It investigates the logic of trash as it is applied to humans and looks at lives intimately dependent on trash, delving into electronic waste, Nick Cave's Sound Suits, the abducted girls of Juarez and a futuristic portrayal of zero-waste cities in China.  Since 1998, American artist Michael Rakowitz (b. 1973) has collaborated with homeless people and worked with readily available materials including plastic bags, polyurethane tubes, hooks and tape to build inflatable shelters. This project, known as paraSITE, has had prototypes installed in urban environments of Baltimore, Boston, and New York City. ParaSITE has been exhibited by MoMA and MassMOCA. ParaSITE's structures are custom designed as shelters for homeless people. They attach to the exterior outtake vents of a building's HVAC (Heating, Ventalation, and Air Conditioning) system. Appropriating the HVAC system on existing architecture, warm air leaving the building simultaneously inflates and heats the structures. Building and distributing these temporary structures that have lead to much civic debate, examination of the fine print in certain city laws, and the occasional involvement of law enforcement, Rakowitz offers neither a solution to homelessness, nor a cynical social commentary. ParaSITE instead reminds us that art may of course be functional, impact and benefit individuals outside the gallery's white walls, and engage communities, provoking thought around a serious issue present on the streets of every city. Rakowitz currently teaches in the Department of Arts, Theory and Practice at Northwestern University. You can learn more about paraSITE and other works by Michael Rakowitz at http://rakowitz.reticular.info/. -Lisa Good Guide 06/25/2009
The Applications of POOP 06/21/2009
 Image from my favorite book, 'Everyone Poops' Creative reuse can be applied to poop. A friend brought such marvels to my attention as I am the kind of person who is entertained by poop. There’s nothing more hilarious or amusing as poop…maybe because everyone poops. While poop is an unavoidable waste product, we do have creative ways to make it work for us. A natural by-product of poop is methane gas. If you’ve ever smelled the funk driving south on I-95 past downtown Richmond, you know what methane gas smells like. You can see the flame from the top of the waste treatment facility along I-95 where it burns the methane gas in order to get rid of it. An alternative method of treating methane gas is using it as a source of energy. There are micro-organisms that can rapidly digest poop in an environment absent of oxygen (anaerobic digestion), naturally producing methane gas. When the methane gas is burned it can produce energy as a fuel or electricity. Some other proven uses for human or animal waste: • Kennels, dairy farms, pet shop owners, etc can use a machine called a methane digester to convert animal waste into electricity • Paper made from elephant poop, as featured under STUFF’s Resources page • “Energy recovery facilities” reuse waste from the disposal process to create more energy (also cutting the mass of the waste in half) -- funded by stimulus funds maybe? • Use sterilized fibers extracted from cow poop to replace sawdust in the production of fiberboard • Fertilizer...uh duh! • More interesting applications... -Elisabeth Interview: Noah Scalin and Skulls 06/17/2009
  I had the pleasure of interviewing Richmond’s Noah Scalin, an environmentally conscious social entrepreneur. He was born and raised in our lovely city, although he left to study and live in NYC for ten years. In 2001, Noah founded Another Limited Rebellion (ALR), a local design company that employs the Triple Bottom Line business model: people, planet, and profit. Stuff admires Noah and ALR because his company is a perfect example of local industry thinking beyond profit to consider the effect services provided will have on our community and our environment. We also are very interested in his Skull-A-Day blog that quickly became a sensation and exemplifies creative reuse. Below are a few of the questions I asked Noah with his answers summarized as we had lunch at Harrison St Coffee Shop.   STUFF: How does ALR provide eco-friendly services? ALR considers the 3 Rs when providing services. Reduce the amount of materials disseminated enough to remain effective; ultimately in service of the goals of the client. Reuse - When possible products are designed to be used more than once and/or in more than one way (i.e. a brochure that is also a poster), saving clients money and preventing wasteful production. Products are made out of recycled and recyclable materials as much as possible. He formats these services based on the needs of the client for each job. STUFF: Is being environmentally responsible cost-effective for a business in your opinion? Noah says it is cost-effective in the long-term even though day-to-day expenses can be higher in some instances. Being wasteful will lose a company money, although he is not advocating taking extreme measures. He said, "If you do not design paper, you have to deal with what types of paper already exist. Highlighting that your company employs corporate responsibility pays off for marketing, customers are more attracted to the company that uses recycled materials." STUFF: How did the Skull-A-Day project become so popular? Noah originally started the project as an opportunity for a creative outlet with no limitations, aside from the subject matter. It evolved organically as the audience grew, fans encouraged him by sending him ideas and pictures of their own creations. As the project expanded, more opportunities came along, including a published book called SKULLS. SKULLS was chosen as one of the top 10 books for reluctant teen readers by the Young Adult Library Services Association. ***STUFF Program Director, Sarah, was one of his fans and sent in her own skull design! We hope to use the success of Skull-A-Day to show that not only books, but creative reuse can also be cool. You should check out the Skull-A-Day blog that started it all for more pictures. -Elisabeth Climate change in Richmond 06/01/2009
 Hampton Roads Hurricane Evacuation Routes Climate change is often highlighted in the news, but it is difficult to relate this global phenomenon to our daily lives in Richmond. How will climate change affect us individually? There is clear evidence from research published in the notable science journal, Nature, recording the increase in the strength and number of hurricanes as a result of global warming. This is especially relevant to Richmond as the city is the main end-point for the hurricane evacuation route for the larger Hampton Roads/Tidewater region. Should a hurricane occur that demands an evacuation of the vulnerable region, lanes will be reversed and traffic on both east and west I-65 will be directed straight to Richmond. Additional evacuation routes will also direct citizens inland. An estimated 750,000 people would need to evacuate storm surge areas in the region and would require immediate shelter and food. The effect on resources, traffic, and the overall economy of the city would be great and costly. And even as the city must manage this immense influx of people, at the same time Richmond would most likely be hit with the remaining strength of the hurricane turned tropical storm. Global warming will also affect the poorest in our community more than others. Researchers in California have noted that there is a “climate gap,” in which the poor and minorities are the most affected by climate change. As the planet warms, cities are especially susceptible to increasing heat caused by a “heat island” effect - when temperatures intensify because of the concrete and asphalt that blanket urban areas. Richmond is no different. Some impacts noted by researchers:
Elisabeth Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer – welcome to warm weather and vacations! I’m sure many of you are heading out to the beach or on other weekend getaways and what better thing to bring along but a few unread books. Instead of heading to a bookstore that sells new books why not head to one of the areas fantastic used bookstores? Not only can you find the same books at cheaper prices, but these used book exchanges and stores are the ultimate way to reuse and recycle old reading material! Just browsing the shelves can occupy an entire rainy afternoon, as you search for an out-of-print edition or discover a long-forgotten childhood picture book. There is an exciting element to perusing used books – you never know what you might find! Head out to one of these local favorites this weekend (or stop by on your lunch hour, as I am prone to do). The Lorax and Jason Mecier 05/04/2009
featured artist + resource  This month's featured artist is Jason Mecier. Mecier’s “junkdrawer” works are made out of collected stuff arranged into mosaics of famous international stars and celebrities. His celebrity works are well-known by celebrities, artists, and pop culture experts. Stuff is a fan of Mecier’s work because it embodies the concept of creative reuse in a fun way. The artist reuses everday items such as household cleaning products, collections, shoes, toys, almost everything. My favorite celebrity mosaic is of Rue McClanahan just because I adore Golden Girls. But all of Mecier’s attention to detail and pop culture in general is illustrated in his works. For example, the mosaic of Kathy Griffin with the Clay Aiken background truly highlights Griffin’s stated love of the gay community and many references to Aiken. And I love the hot sauce in the background of Margaret Cho's mosaic.    Another distinctive characteristic of Mecier’s work is how he challenges and solicits his fans and audience to get involved by sending him their junk treasures. The beauty of contributing to such entertaining work is that it diverts waste from landfills, creating a piece that speaks to consumerism but also celebrity pop culture. Mecier asks for individuals to send in their junk and simultaneously “clean house” to: April Artist + Resource 04/27/2009
 April Artist: Shelley Smith + Art to Wear Art to Wear is a collaborative show between NC State’s College of Textiles and College of Design students. Art to Wear's past Art and Design Faculty Advisor, Vita Plume, along with a couple of Anni Albers Scholars initiated the show in 2001. It was held in 'the pit' at the College of Design with merely a hundred spectators. Art to Wear now resides in Reynold's Coliseum playing host to over 1000 attendants annually. This eclectic show has always emphasized a fusion of art and fashion, making it anything but your typical fashion show. Featured artist for April is Shelley Smith, an NC State textile and art + design student that created her pieces for the show with reclaimed fabrics. Watch an interview here, see images of her work and read an AP article about the event. The show is similar to Richmond's own tradition, Wearable Art, put on by 1708 gallery. April Resource: Upside Down Gardening An early Arbor Day in RVA 04/14/2009
 Two weekends ago, Richmond celebrated Arbor Day in the first Celebrate Trees! sponsored by Richmond Tree Stewards. Stuff hosted tables at the festival in the Carillon in Byrd Park, providing a creative activity for the children. Our Stuff ladies and volunteers helped young Richmonders paint the pots and plant tree seeds in each. Additionally, we created cool recycled magazine trees. There was plenty of sunshine and fun. But no worries it is not too late to show your love for trees - this year Arbor Day is April 24th!    Photo Cred: Lynne Marie Parson Here is a quick introduction (or review) of some eco-terms important to Stuff and our mission. It's important to know some of the basics in the movement to "go green"! Look for more "Eco Buzz" posts coming soon! | About STUFF
STUFF is a community organization in Richmond, Virginia.
The mission of Stuff is to provide Richmond with a community space for creative reuse, education, environmental awareness, and fun stuff. The vision of Stuff is to become the first community destination for art and reuse supplies and educational materials in Richmond. Stuff operates under the following core values: Filling the education gap with Stuff; learning goes beyond the classroom. Stuff happens; spontaneity breeds creativity. It's more than just stuff; there is value in our trash. Taking responsibility for our stuff; we have an obligation to reuse. Stuff brings us together; community is rooted in cooperation. ArchivesJune 2010 |
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