Trashy Talk

Back in college I met a very nice guy. Everything was going great until I called his dorm room one night and asked what he was doing. The response: "I'm hanging garbage on my wall."  Well my roommate and I figured he meant garbage facetiously but when we got to his room, sure enough there he was taping up balled up pieces of paper, empty pizza boxes, soda bottles, gum wrappers and more.  Above it all was a big sign that said "Cleanliness is Next to Godliness." Three days later the room smelled, the relationship was over and until yesterday the entire incident had slipped my mind.

But yesterday my desk area was a mess- covered in papers and wrapping and boxes and a co-worker reminded me about cleanliness' proximity to Godliness. And then I read an article on recycled Outsider Art and I thought, "maybe that guy was on to something..."

For today's Art-Full Friday I have created a mini showcase of those who are able to see the art in garbage:

Artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster create amazing installations using light projected onto piles of household trash. Absolutely amazing.

Trashy People - part of the Persian Gulf Environmental Art Festival Courtesy of River Art.

 

The rusting tire and burned out car are just two examples of the many beautiful photographic images of garbage seen on http://www.laidoutinlavender.vox.com/.

I don't know if I find this beautiful (like a man made valley) or so horrifying (for all the environmental reasons), but I do know that no one but Edward Burtnysky could create such a stunning photo of a pile of tires. 

The Naka Incineration Plant in Hiroshima is probably the most artistic and architecturally gorgeous trash-related building in the world.  Architect Yoshio Taniguchi calls it his "Museum of Garbage."

And finally....

Beautify your street corner with these Goldfish Trashbags created by Wieden & Wendy.  I think it would be funny just to see the waste management crew's reaction to them. Each bag is 14 gallons, sturdy and printed to look like there are real goldfish in them.

For more Trash Talk follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EmilyontheAve

Without The Rain, There Would Be No Rainbows

Rain coats are cute, but I LOVE umbrellas. They can enhance the look of an outfit, express personal style and be whimsical, romantic, mysterious and even trend-setting.  They can be used in decor, art or yes....even to keep youself dry on a rainy day.  Bring on the rain:

Images above courtesy of The Crooked Brains Blog who created

an amazing gallery of umbrella art installations.

This graffiti appeared in New Orleans, USA in August and was part of a spree of new Banksy Graffiti to mark the anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

This high-quality print is from Visual Creatures on Etsy. 

The Umbrella by luminatii evokes sadness and loneliness in its beauty.

And just the opposite, Fashion Fucsia's Marie and Umbrellas is pure happiness.

Art Shark Design's City Love prints are sooo sweet.

I can't wait until they do a Florida set!

Ready Made Magazine gives instructions on how to make this retro-inspired umbrella pendant lamp. I am a little superstitious though (about opening umbrellas inside)...does this lamp trap the bad luck in between? ;)

And some of my favorite umbrellas:

Bella Pagoda B&W Pinwheel at Umbrellas.net

Illegal to own, but really badass

guy de jean's sexy umbrellas - produced by guy de jean for jean paul gaultier, 2006 -2008

Courtesy of Popgloss

My inner geek adores this very much - it looks like a lightsaber!

 LED umbrella

Sleek, modern, playful and space saving - Splash is the most design-versatile piece on the market.  Created by Japanese designer, Yasuhiro Asana, this umbrella stand is shaped like water splashing out of a puddle and can store both wet and dry umbrellas. (Great find from http://www.lushlee.com/!)