THE OHIO CRAFT MUSEUM Presents:
SECOND NATURE: ART FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS INSPIRED BY ANIMALS, PLANTS AND INSECTS
July 12–August 23, 2009
(Columbus, Ohio)—The Ohio Craft Museum will present “Second Nature: Art from Recycled Materials Inspired by Animals, Plants and Insects,” an exhibition of fine craft forms made from recycled materials. On view from July 12 through August 23, the exhibition features work by nearly 25 artists from across the United States. Everything from old buttons and tin cans to bicycle spokes, linoleum pieces and rubber tires make up the work. “Here in the United States, we continue our quest for a ‘greener’ existence through the development of new/alternative energies, products and technology, and through the education of our children to recycle and conserve natural spaces and resources,” notes exhibition curator and found-objects artist Michelle Stitzlein.
“We are consistently looking for creative solutions to move forward and not just survive, but prosper, without doing the planet harm. In ‘Second Nature,’ I have invited over 20 artists from the U.S. to exhibit their work created from unconventional art materials. And while these artists may be trained, with every tool available at their disposal, I admire their ‘will’ to work with materials that are sometimes difficult to obtain (old 50s linoleum in Bill Miller’s work), a burden to collect (multiple tins in Mark Brown’s work), oftentimes dirty (bottle caps in Rik Nelson’s work), and even dangerous to handle or manipulate (rusty metal in Leonard Streckfus’s work).”
“In the hands of some of these artists, we see nature depicted as it should be: frolicking rabbits, swimming bass and thriving daisies,” Stitzlein continues. “However, most of these creations have been made with secondhand products whose very resources (paper, metal, glass and plastic), in their first manufacturing, may have jeopardized the survival of natural environments. ‘Second Nature’ is intended to be an enjoyable and sometimes whimsical exhibition, but I hope that we will come away with a desire to reconsider our consumption of new possessions and an enthusiasm to see our ‘things’ a little differently.”
The exhibition opens on Sunday, July 12, with a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. At 3 p.m., Michelle Stitzlein will present a lecture on “Re-imagining Art with Recyclables,” and will share examples of “recycled” art from around the world. “Mod Magnets,” a Hand in Hand parent/child workshop, will also be held during the opening at the museum. From 1 to 3 p.m., children and their favorite adult will create magnets using plastic bottle caps. The workshop is offered free of charge with support from Arlington Bank. Pre-registration is required; participants must bring 15 or more plastic bottle caps. Telephone (614) 486-4402.
On Sunday, August 16, from 1 to 3 p.m., local artist Eric Marlow will present “Recyclabits,” a CraftView Afternoon workshop, during which adults and teens will use recyclables to create bright, colorful flowers. Fee: $12; ODC members, $10. Space is limited. Telephone (614) 486-4402 to register.
The Ohio Craft Museum receives ongoing funding from the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Foundation. The museum is located at 1665 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Hours are Monday–Friday, 10 A.M.–5 P.M.; and Saturday–Sunday, 1–4 P.M., during exhibitions only. Admission and parking are free. For further information, telephone (614) 486-4402; or see our website at www.ohiocraft.org.