WINNEMUCCA - Repurposing or "upcycling" objects can make our community a cleaner place and reduce the impact on the Earth. Artists can also use upcycling as a source of free art supplies.
Winnemucca artist Teddy Swecker repurposes items she finds in piles of trash during walks into sculptures, wall hangings, and other pieces of art.
"The biggest thing I made was a UFO Teleportation Station," she said, describing a large, whimsical art installation she and a friend created approximately three years ago. "I was walking in the desert, I came a across a pile of garbage, and I turned it into art. There was an old bed with box springs. We lifted it upright, and then we found some metal to make the wheels. A big piece of round metal on a rope formed the door."
Swecker formed a temple for the UFO Teleportation Station out of random pieces of discarded cement, drew a treasure map on a found piece of paper, and created a setting for the UFO station from old branches and shoes that had been thrown away.
"People kept dumping their trees, so we added an enchanted forest. It had a shoe tree," she added. "We created a mandala, and then we found a rock that looked like an elephant. The elephant was on the path to the Teleportation Station."
The art installation even featured ground transportation for the imaginary extraterrestrial beings, with every feature of the project crafted out of material that had been found and repurposed.
"One time we built a car near the Teleportation Station," Swecker explained. "We found this old gas tank and some metal, and then we found a car seat and steering wheel."
The entire art installation was left open and available for the enjoyment of the public.
"People would add to it," Swecker said. "We'd go back out there and there would be more pieces added. That was really fun to see."
The UFO Teleportation Station has since been taken down, but Swecker continues to practice repurposing to create smaller works. She described several more methods she uses to turn unwanted items into art.
"People give me their old fences," Swecker said. "I take a piece of old barn wood and write a really cool word on it like 'peace' or 'love' or 'home,' wrap it with twine on each end and string it across to make a little hanger. I give these a lot as gifts for college students to hang in their dorm rooms."
She has also created pieces for her own home and lawn.
"I have turned garbage into sculptures for my yard," Swecker explained. "I've made a lawn sculpture out of old motor parts. I have a dragon made out of branches, with round rocks for eggs."
She urged anyone who is just starting out with sculpture, or who would like to try to sculpt from found items for the first time, to begin slowly and have fun with their project.
"Think of taking chaos and putting order to it," Swecker suggested. "Take like objects or shapes that are similar and put them together. If you can't make sense out of it, just start making patterns. Your imagination kicks in, and before you know it you have a piece of artwork."
She noted that other types of artists may also find upcycling useful.
Artists who make or design clothing may use scraps of ruined or unwanted clothing as appliqués to create new outfits. The material from sweaters, sweatshirts, and other warm clothing may be used to cut out gloves or slippers.
Local residents who are not artists may still upcycle for the arts by donating their unwanted materials to local artists or groups. Theatre and other performing arts groups and organizations may accept donations of a variety of items that can be used as part of a set or as a prop for a rehearsal or performance. Portrait photographers may accept certain items as props or set pieces. Even some writing workshops or groups might need random objects to serve as writing prompts.
Swecker always welcomes donations of items she can use for future art projects.
"Maybe people will give me more things I can turn into art works," she said. "It's fun to just look at the mess in front of you and just start creating designs out of what you see."
Contact the artist or group of your choice to discuss their individual donation needs. Teddy Swecker can be reached via her website at www.teddyswecker.com.
[[In-content Ad]]
