Recycling Center at PlySpace

The Recycling Center at PlySpace

2021

Paper materials donated by individuals in Muncie Indiana, paper donated by The Muncie Public Library, paper donated by ArtMart, unsellable flowers donated by Normandy Flower Shop and Dandelions Flowers and Gifts, furniture repurposed from the Plyspace living spaces, offices and storage areas, furniture purchased secondhand in Muncie, rainwater collected from the Plyspace roof and gutter run-off, dishwater sourced from the PlySpace kitchen, sculptural objects and tools created while in residence, miscellaneous found, littered and donated objects and materials.

While an artist in residence at PlySpace I transformed the PlySpace gallery into an active paper recycling center. The center was open to the public during designated open hours and during a free paper-making workshop. Through installation, object making, process-based research and recycling facilitation I was interested in exploring alternatives to privately owned industrial recycling facilities.

I consider this project a form of artistic research asking the following questions: How can a lack of confidence in the recycling industry be an opportunity to reimagine what waste management could look like and feel like? How can systems of waste management be transparent and visible to the general public? What does it mean to “dispose” of something? Is disposal merely relocation? How does relation to “waste” or unwanted materials change when this process of relocation is slowed down? What meaning can be found in recycling paper communally and manually rather than depending on an industrial facility? How can abundant materials in the waste stream be reframed as objects of value? In what ways can I embody being a “recycler in residence”? In what ways can waste be reformed to serve present needs and wants? What tools, hardware and exhibition props can I make myself out of waste sourced locally (in Muncie) and hyper locally (In PlySpace)? And how can these sustainable fixtures help sustain the recycling center itself? How can reducing and reforming waste be creative, collaborative, joyful and even alchemical?

Full List of Events:

First Thursday, December 2 - Drop-In Recycling Center Open Hours, 5:00 to 8:00 pm

Saturday, December 4 - “Recycling as a Creative Practice” Workshop, 3:00 to 6:00 pm

Monday, December 6 - Drop-In Recycling Center Open Hours, 5:00 to 8:00 pm

Thursday, December 9 - One Night Gallery Exhibition and Artist Talk, 6:00 to 8:00 pm