Art using found objects
Artists from many developing parts of the world often create work with minimal to no art infrastructure. Specifically, making art from found objects not only requires creative thinking, but is also an extremely cost effective way to make works when the funds for materials are not available.
Recently I curated Coca-colonized, an exhibition which originated at Hilger Brotkunsthalle in Vienna, and had its second showing at MARTE Museum in San Salvador. As part of this exhibition San Salvadoran artist Simon Vega created a work entitled “Tropical Mercury Capsule.” He created this work onsite using old shipping crates, discarded soda cans and bottles and even an old TV. The juxtaposition of everyday found materials to the concept that this “space rocket” from another planet had landed in the museum, gives his work a humorous and inspiring twist. It is both a foreign and high-tech space explorer yet on the other hand is local and real in its everyday composition.
Two weeks ago Vega was invited by Museo del Barrio to create a site-specific sculpture at Socrates Park in New York. Using the same inspired technique, Vega created “Sputnik NY-Z-011 Tropical Capsule” a space orb that has seemingly crashed in the earth making its mark on the lawn on the park.
Aside from being highly inventive and resourceful, Vega’s approach to art is inspiring when it comes to reusing materials. Objects that people would ordinarily discard as useless are reinvented and made functional, even beautiful. Growing out of a fundamental need for materials to make art, Vega is now established. However he maintains this style and maintains that the cost of materials remains zero. His approach is one that requires foresight and vision, and finally the patience to be inventive. ♥
