Beyond Garbage Project

Finding connection through creative exploration of our material world

This is an archival post of a project that is no longer fully active, but the exercises may still be of interest, so please read on and try out the projects or just use images and ideas as catalysts for your own exploration of materials.

Beyond Garbage

This is a circle back to the project with this name, started in 2009, and documented on the Beyond Garbage website. I know I am happiest when my hands are busy creating and that my goal is always to reuse materials, produce as little waste as possible, and maybe learn something about the material world around me. So here we go. Let’s dive into exploring the reusable waste we are producing in our social isolation. It’s a way to connect with each other and contemplate how we live on this earth – our impact, our choices, and our common humanity.

My aim is to make these projects accessible to children and adults of many abilities. This is about exploring what common materials are and what they can do in an effort to be more aware of the material world around us and to help reduce material waste through reuse and education. Each material can be engaged with on many levels. This is not about making the most beautiful and perfect thing. The point is to let our creative juices flow, to share a common adventure and learn from each other, and, importantly, to develop a sense of community and connection.

How it works

I’ll introduce each new material with a prompt posted and/or linked here and on Beyond Garbage and also post notices on Facebook and Instagram (which you are free to share to other platforms or groups as you see fit). I plan to post each week (maybe more frequently). There is an arbitrary deadline of a week after the original post so you have some time to play and I have some time to help post images and feedback as you work. If you want to keep on playing with a particular material after the “deadline,” fabulous! If a certain material doesn’t appeal – skip it. No problem.

Sharing

I encourage you to share what you make on Instagram and tag @beyondgarbageproject and/or #beyondgarbageproject. Other relevant hashtags include (I am sure there are more, let me know): #recycledart, #reducereuserecycle, #upcycle

Please be respectful and only post images of work that actually relates to the project and tag appropriately.

I encourage you to help me gather resources to link to (general, art/crafts, kids, scientific) by sending me links to favorite sites and information about books, etc. I’ll figure out a way to post them here as well.

Rules/suggestions when working with materials

There really are no rules, since this is your time and effort, but here are some thoughts:

Think about the limitations and advantages of your material before you start. A little planning can go a long way.

Try to use only the suggested material – add as little as possible (adhesives, staples, paint or other added color or thickness). Explore what this material has to offer before you add things that transform it into something else or use it as a surface for something else.

Make something very simple and small. Then see what you can do with multiples of that element to make something larger and more complex.

Have fun!