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Friday, January 9th 2009 [ versión español ]
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Giovanni Rodríguez Sánchez shows his work R. Mutt 1917, in which he utilized grate, plaster, metal tubes, refreshment containters, pizza boxes and juice cartons. |
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Waste materials such as pop cans, pizza boxes, compact discs, paper, aluminum, cups, bottles and newspaper pages were transformed by the hands of students of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) into artwork that because of its environmental and esthetic values were displayed in an exhibit in the Art Gallery at Mayagüez Town Center.
Art Cycling: the Cycles of Materials was the name given to the exhibit in which a group of UPRM students artistically reinterpreted a large range of waste materials. This exhibit emphasizes the importance of rescuing waste and accentuates the urgency of allowing other possibilities of reuse to avoid the degradation of the environment.
“In this case, this second opportunity for these objects is artistic and this group of students formally and conceptually replants materials that they have removed from the wastebaskets of homes, restaurants and cafeterias, or public beaches,” explained doctor Laura Bravo, Art professor of the Humanities Department and one of the organizers.
Bravo added that reutilizing materials in artistic production is a classic phenomenon in the history of Art. However, in the 20th century these practices have developed a new purpose, which is to free artistic creation from the use of traditional materials.
“That is the case for the sculptural collages of Picasso, for example, the one where the seat and the handlebar of a bike are converted into the head and the horns of a bull; or the enormous pieces known as Merzbau, which the German Kurt Schwitters raised in the interior of his own home during the 20’s and the 30’s,” commented the professor.
Not withstanding, Artcycling reiterated the importance of creating awareness about environmental aspects and the development of the creative capacity and imagination of the students to convert waste materials into artistic pieces.
Bravo noted that Artcycling has been so successful that the participating students along with other student members of the UPRM Green Campus program will be presenting the second edition of the exposition this upcoming March 12, in Room A of the UPRM Main Library.
According to the professor, this project also took art outside of UPRM to other places in Mayagüez; this was one of the objectives of the project Occupy the City, by the Committee of Cultural Promotion, which sponsored the exhibition.
“This is already the second occasion and it’s very gratifying. In Mayagüez we encounter numerous possibilities for collaboration and a lot of enthusiasm towards the idea that the UPRM community occupies these spaces,” explained Bravo.
Students who participated in the project are: Johathan Duchesne, Antoinnette Figueroa, Gustavo Flores, Ashley Justiniano, Frankie Negrón, Sebastián Ortiz, María C. Pérez, Zuryvette Reyes, Dania Reyna, Cristina Rodríguez, Giovanni Rodríguez, Keylah Sánchez and Claribel Torres.
In Bravo’s opinion these young artists’ execution has been excellent in both the creative process as well as the area of organization. “The students are always hopeful and willing to work. It’s also a project in its own right, which they carried out themselves presenting and with everyone’s desire, it has been possible for it to turn out this way.”
The organizing of the activity was done by the University Association of Art (AUA by its Spanish acronym), whose president is, Antionnette Figueroa, doctor Bravo, in collaboration with sponsors, among them the Committee for Cultural Promotion, and the UPRM Dean of Arts and Sciences, as well as the Mayagüez Town Center.
Cultural Agenda
The UPRM Committee of Cultural Promotion announced the activities that will make up the cultural agenda for the second academic semester of 2008-2009. The agenda will contain conferences, short courses, concerts, musical workshops, art expositions, theatrical works, such as Cinema Beneath the Stars and a showing of international cinema for children.
Activities scheduled for January of 2009
Conference
Point of escape to the fourth dimension: art and science, Dr. Rafael Jackson (UPRM)
Chardón 121 UPRM, Tuesday January 20, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
Book Presentation
What is your doubt? By Doctor Luz Nereida Pérez
Figueroa Chapel, UPRM, Tuesday January 27, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
Book and CD Presentation
Leonardo Egúrbida: Integral work by Doctor José Antonio López
Chardón 121 UPRM, Thursday January 29, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
Cinema Beneath the Stars
Moulin Rouge (J. Houston, 1952)
Plaza Colón, Mayagüez, Tuesday January 27, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Alternate Cinema for Children from 3 years -99 years
Chardón 121 UPRM, Saturday January 23, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
Azur and Asmar (Michel Ocelot, 2006, France)
Artcycling: the Cycles of Materials was the name given to the exposition where a variety of waste materials were reinterpreted.
The exhibition achieved creating awareness about the environment and aided in developing the imagination of converting waste materials into artistic works.
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| The three kings of graffiti, by Gustavo Flores, is composed of aerosol bottles, springs from candy machines and paint. |
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Claribel Torres paid tribute to the flower employing branches, wire, an old bottle and stained glass window pieces to recreate an organic piece. |
What are you waiting for: by Zuryvette Reyes, is an example of a work using paper, cans, and acrylic.
Photographs by Alessandra Otero Ramos / UPRM Press
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