Academy Students Create Artwork Reflecting Excesses of Junk Mail
Astonishing and resourcefully constructed biodegradable sculptures made of mailbox castoffs will
provide a powerful call to action to the shocking fact 100 million trees are expired for junk mail
in the United States every year. Academy of Art University students’ show JUNK MAIL: FROM
DEBRIS TO DESIGN features a cross-section of environmentally conscious works, ranging from
sculpture to dozens of fashion designs.
The show opens on Thursday, February 14th, with a press conference at 11 a.m. at 79 Gallery,
79 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the
Academy of Art University, and Jared Blumenfeld, Director of the San Francisco Department of the
Environment will open the Fourth Annual BayROC Stop Junk Mail Campaign.
MFA Sculpture students Ruben Guzman, Jon Falkenberg, Adam Reeder, Lucia Hye Yoon Joo, and
Brett Mastaler approached junk mail as a symbol of overindulgence and conceived Crush, a
larger-than-life portrait of an individual who has the power to stop receiving his share of
ineffective and unsolicited mail.
BFA Sculpture students Zachary Roberts, Rex Waters, and Pakayla Biehn propose creative,
earth-conscious solutions with The Mailbox Monster. A dynamic contrast prevails between the
inventive, organic form of the monster and the geometric format of the mailbox: an artistic
invitation for viewers to “think outside of the box.”
Associate Director of Fine Art Sculpture Margaret Keelan shares, “These students are
committed to changes for positive growth within their community, bringing their own spirit of humor
and invention to a project with possible far-reaching environmental impact, above and beyond the
existent requirements of their coursework.”
The Academy has been an enthusiastic leader in San Francisco’s commitment to the environment
and sustainability, since it was one of the founding downtown institutions to visibly support Mayor
Newsom’s call to reduce energy consumption.
SF Environment, an active member of Bay ROC, a collaboration between staff representing
over 40 San Francisco Bay Area cities, counties and other public agencies working
together on waste reduction and buy-recycled concepts. Their website offers “how to” tips for
reducing junk mail.
Related:
|
