Art Sun Jun 22 2014

Chicago Artists Rethink Waste in "Salvage"

By Miriam Finder

"There's so many things they're doing to solve problems using creativity," said Gary Lehman of G Studio and an exhibit curator and artist of The Plant. "[They're] taking things that are around and creating a really beautiful solution out of it...[it's] what the whole exhibit is about."

Lehman, along with artist and curator Tracy Kostenbader of AnySquared, selected the artists in large part because of the intersection of their work with The Plant's principles surrounding the environment and reuse. One piece was crafted using hundreds of bottle caps and touches on oil spills.

"A lot of the artists create a dialogue about environmentalism, sustainability or how much waste we have," said Kostenbader.

While not all pieces touch on the environment, they all fall under the over-arching theme of repurposing items or ideas and transforming them into something new, thought-provoking and beautiful.

For instance, one artist used an immigration document from when her family came to the United States from China. She layered the document with photographs of relatives she never met, transforming a piece of paper into a comment on place.

In addition to the exhibit's pieces, the location of the show itself brings up topic of metamorphosis.

"We see the art in the context of The Plant," said Kostenbader. "It also transforms and changes because of the activity and action and ideas that are floating around in that space."

The show fits both Kostenbader and Lehman's goals of making art collaborative and accessible, as well as "taking art to a level of where you can really make it contextual and functional," said Lehman.

During Saturday's opening, the International Art Group Ensemble presented "Firebread," a masked performance created specifically for Salvage, and also featured a Brazilian music performance by Rio de Janeiro's Renato Anesi.

The exhibit is presented by AnySquared and G Studio. Logan Square-based AnySquared brings together artists in a collaborative environment, producing projects and events in cooperation with both local artists and businesses. G Studio, based in Chicago, specializes in unique art experiences.

The exhibit remains open through October 19 during regularly scheduled tours of The Plant, which take place Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm. The Plant is located at 1400 W. 46th St. For more information, including events incorporating the exhibit and The Plant throughout the show, visit the Salvage exhibit webpage.

"There's so many things they're doing to solve problems using creativity," said Gary Lehman of G Studio and an exhibit curator and artist of The Plant. "[They're] taking things that are around and creating a really beautiful solution out of it...[it's] what the whole exhibit is about."

Lehman, along with artist and curator Tracy Kostenbader of AnySquared, selected the artists in large part because of the intersection of their work with The Plant's principles surrounding the environment and reuse. One piece was crafted using hundreds of bottle caps and touches on oil spills.

"A lot of the artists create a dialogue about environmentalism, sustainability or how much waste we have," said Kostenbader.

While not all pieces touch on the environment, they all fall under the over-arching theme of repurposing items or ideas and transforming them into something new, thought-provoking and beautiful.

For instance, one artist used an immigration document from when her family came to the United States from China. She layered the document with photographs of relatives she never met, transforming a piece of paper into a comment on place.

In addition to the exhibit's pieces, the location of the show itself brings up topic of metamorphosis.

"We see the art in the context of The Plant," said Kostenbader. "It also transforms and changes because of the activity and action and ideas that are floating around in that space."

The show fits both Kostenbader and Lehman's goals of making art collaborative and accessible, as well as "taking art to a level of where you can really make it contextual and functional," said Lehman.

During Saturday's opening, the International Art Group Ensemble presented "Firebread," a masked performance created specifically for Salvage.

The exhibit is presented by AnySquared and G Studio. Logan Square-based AnySquared brings together artists in a collaborative environment, producing projects and events in cooperation with both local artists and businesses. G Studio, based in Chicago, specializes in unique art experiences.

The exhibit remains open through October 19 during regularly scheduled tours of The Plant, which take place Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm. The Plant is located at 1400 W. 46th St. For more information, including events incorporating the exhibit and The Plant throughout the show, visit the Salvage exhibit webpage.