BEYOND THE JUNK

Everyone is aware that we live in a world dominated by consumption and waste, but how do we deal with the problem aesthetically?  Recycling is great but it requires energy and resources to collect, sort and process.  Alternatively, we can choose to Upcycle, creatively converting unwanted items into something better.  

If you are in need of materials to Upcycle for a project, consider visiting these two inspirational places in San Francisco.  They also accept donations, so check out their website links for details.

Building REsources
San Francisco's only source for reusable, recycled and remanufactured building and landscaping materials. 1.5 acres of land is full of interesting finds and great values. They also have an exhibition space, currently featuring a mixed media installation, Words, created by Clint Imboden.  One hundred mens’ dress shoes hang on a white wall, and each sole has been branded with a letter of the alphabet. According to the artist’s explanation, Words is a based on the board game “Scrabble” and viewers are encouraged to rearrange the shoes to leave whatever message they desire.  

SCRAP
A non-profit creative reuse center/ materials depot/ workshop space founded in San Francisco. They breathe new life into old objects and reduce waste by diverting over 200 tons of materials heading to landfill every year.  SCRAP’s mission is: “Junk has value for those who can see meaning beyond the discarding of things.”

The possibility of a single object is infinite, so is the art of upcycling.

Blog Post by Mary Jones