Junkyard Art: The Art of Recycling

An experimental class offered in IAP 2005

Jeff Smith speaks on his work on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 5:30-6:30pm in 32-155.
The talk will be followed by an opening of the exhibition (with refreshments) on the Stata 3rd floor mezannine over the Information Desk (question mark).
Up-cycling from trash to treasure: coverage from the MIT News Office

Jeff Smith
Instructors: Jeff Smith (visiting artist)
Justin Adams (recycling guru)
Prof. Erik Demaine (EECS)
Martin Demaine (researcher/artist)

When: Mon-Fri, Jan 10-14, 12pm-5pm
Where: N51 Plaster Studio (first floor)
How: Send us email to register. No limit to number of participants.
Contact: junkyardart at theory.csail.mit.edu
Prerequisites: None
Credit: None (IAP activity)

This hands-on course will lead participants to learn about and create works of art from discarded objects. The class will begin with an interactive lecture/video/slideshow from visiting artist Jeff Smith about his art, the ethics and methods of collecting discarded objects, and the processes that he goes through to create art from found or discarded objects. The remainder of the class time will be divided into hunting for discarded items throughout the MIT campus and Cambridge, collaborating with class participants and teachers about projects and ideas, and creating a work of art from found objects. The goal of this course is to use art as inspiration for individuals to recycle, reuse, and conserve resources, as well as challenging one's imagination and have fun. This initiative will bring together people in the MIT community to collaborate and innovate new ways of thinking about our discards, while making an important statement on the ubiquitous wastefulness often witnessed and overlooked. At the conclusion of the course, there will be a reception open to the MIT community to show the artwork produced from the class.

Participants will work with some hand tools that will be provided as needed. Everyone is encouraged to bring one found item to the first class.

Sponsored by EECS, Environmental Programs Office (EPO), CSAIL, and Laboratory for Energy and the Environment (LFEE).


Images of work by Jeff Smith


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