| From August 28 - September 25, The Folk Tree Collection presents THE ART OF
RECYCLING, featuring the work of approximately twenty artists whose materials
are found and used objects and potential discards. Several of the artists
create unusual home accessories, giving new life to otherwise non-utilitarian
items, while others present more sculptural statements with surprising
juxtapositions of various recycled elements. Among the recyclables around which the
pieces on view are designed are wooden spoons, computer chips, tin, magazine
pages, aluminum cans, bottle caps, books, industrial parts, cat food tins, paper,
coffee stirrers, and gum wrappers. A reception is scheduled for Saturday,
August 28, from 2 - 6 P.M. Vastly different imperatives motivate the individual artists invited to participate in this show. Todd Muffatti's background in scene design provided the initial inspiration for his whimsical architectural assemblages. He rescues all manner of objects from thrift stores, garage sales, the beach, and the castoffs of others, and transforms them into miniature building facades reflecting styles from around the world and throughout history. Whether using birch bark found at his father's farm, clothespins, spools, or coat hangers, his interpretations are charming and unique. Rosemary Boost, also an assemblage artist, contributes two pieces, "The Promise," which includes a bird's nest containing small bones, and "Lovers Poems," constructed from a metal notebook and a knife with a bone handle. These works are more somber and very personal. In a purely whimsica vein, Aaron Foster shows his decorative flower series, wall pieces fabricated with vintage license plates and mounted on painted pine. For those more interested in function, Rhonda Kuhlman and Chris Ake create funky home accessory designs with a folk art flair. On view are some of their "retablo" style mirrors, incorporating bottle caps dating from the 1930s - 1970s. Or, there is the work of Jim Rosenau, who gives the term "bookshelf" a new, more literal meaning. His shelves are actually made of books destined for the trash and recycling centers. The artist guts the insides of old books and recycles the paper. Then he replaces the books' insides with salvaged wood. All structures and fasteners are hidden so the viewer sees nothing but the books. Most shelves feature themes in which, taken together, the book titles may be read like a haiku. Other the other artists included in the show are: Carmen Abelleira-White, Nancy Nelson and Kari Von Wening (assemblage); David Buckingham, Robert Quijada, William Stranger, Dan Van Clapp, Gary Wilson (home furnishing); and Joseph Jenkins (recycled paper). The Folk Tree Collection is located at 199 S. Fair Oaks Ave. (15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, off the end of the 110 freeway ) near the heart of Old Pasadena. The Folk Tree is a few doors south at 217 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. For further information, call (626)793-4828. |
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