Is trash an artist’s treasure? Calder Kamin’s creative use of trash | PLAY episode

Summary

Calder Kamin, an artist-in-residence at the Breckenridge International Arts Festival, uses discarded materials to create a mythical unicorn sculpture as part of her mission to raise awareness about waste culture. Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of Breckenridge and its environmental challenges, Calder transforms items like sleds, plastic, and Mardi Gras beads into vibrant art. Engaging the local community, especially youth, in the creative process, she hopes her piece, titled 'Once Upon a Time in the Future,' will inspire a sustainable future free from waste. Her work emphasizes the power of recycling and creativity in addressing environmental issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 Calder was invited by Breck Create to be an artist-in-residence at the Breckenridge International Arts Festival, where she was tasked with creating a public art installation using recycled materials.
• 😀 Calder’s artwork features a unicorn, created from trash and recycled items, as a response to Breckenridge's environmental concerns, specifically its waste problem.
• 😀 The unicorn is made of plastic waste collected from the community, including to-go boxes, Coke bottles, and newspapers, showcasing Calder’s commitment to reusing discarded materials.
• 😀 One of Calder's favorite materials for her projects is plastic waste, including items like marker caps, cupcake tops, and Easter egg shells, which she creatively incorporates into her art.
• 😀 The installation is part of a larger effort to involve the local community in the creative process, with residents contributing materials and even making paper-mâché mushrooms for the project.
• 😀 Calder’s past work has involved creating mythological creatures and hybrid animals from materials like birth control packets and other unconventional mediums, highlighting her unique approach to sculpture.
• 😀 One of Calder's key philosophies is that nature doesn’t waste, and through art, she aims to address the issue of waste culture by transforming it into beautiful and meaningful objects.
• 😀 The unicorn's wings are crafted from sleds, provided by the city of Breckenridge, and the sculpture is designed to be large enough to make a significant impact on viewers when placed along the art trail.
• 😀 Calder’s use of Mardi Gras beads in the installation was serendipitous, as she found a tree covered in beads during her site visit, and they became a key element of the artwork.
• 😀 The final piece is titled 'Once Upon a Time in the Future,' symbolizing a hopeful future where waste culture is eliminated, and sustainability is embraced in art and daily life.

Q & A

What is the focus of Calder Kamin's residency in Breckenridge?

Calder Kamin's residency in Breckenridge focuses on creating a public art sculpture using garbage collected from the community. The sculpture is part of the Breckenridge International Arts Festival, and Calder is creating a unicorn with butterfly wings, made from repurposed materials like plastic, sleds, and newspaper.

How does Calder Kamin incorporate environmental issues into her art?

Calder incorporates environmental issues by using trash, particularly plastic, as her medium. She aims to raise awareness about waste culture, sustainability, and recycling through her art, transforming discarded materials into beautiful public sculptures.

What unique materials does Calder use in her art, and why?

Calder uses a variety of materials such as plastic, Mardi Gras beads, sleds, and even coffee cans. She chooses these materials because they are often waste products and highlights how society's waste can be repurposed into art, drawing attention to environmental sustainability.

How does Calder engage with the community in Breckenridge?

Calder engages the community by encouraging local residents, especially children, to participate in creating art pieces for her installation. For example, she involves kids in making papier-mâché mushrooms, which will be part of the overall art project.

What was the inspiration behind the unicorn sculpture?

The unicorn sculpture was inspired by the presence of a troll created by a previous artist for the Breckenridge International Arts Festival. Calder envisioned the unicorn as a mythical creature alongside other beasts, creating a playful yet meaningful installation.

Why did Calder choose to make her sculpture outdoors, and what challenges did she face?

Calder chose to make the sculpture outdoors to engage with nature and the public, making it part of a trail in Breckenridge. The main challenge was ensuring the art was waterproof and durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions, which she addressed by using a mix of materials, including cement and repurposed items.

How did Calder incorporate the sleds from Breckenridge into her sculpture?

Calder used sleds from Breckenridge to form the wings of the unicorn sculpture, repurposing them to create the creature's butterfly-like wings. This choice reflected both the local context and her commitment to using waste materials.

What role do the papier-mâché mushrooms play in Calder's installation?

The papier-mâché mushrooms created by community members are part of the larger installation along the trail. They serve as another element of nature's recyclers, drawing attention to the importance of reusing materials and contributing to the overall aesthetic of the art trail.

How does Calder view the role of art in addressing environmental issues?

Calder sees art as a powerful tool for raising awareness about environmental issues. By creating art from trash, she highlights the unsustainable practices of waste culture and encourages viewers to think about how they can contribute to solving these problems.

What is the message Calder wants to convey through her art, especially the unicorn sculpture?

Calder hopes her unicorn sculpture, titled 'Once Upon a Time in the Future,' serves as a mascot for a future without waste culture. The piece symbolizes hope for a sustainable future where waste is eliminated, and resources are reused creatively.