Recycling and Reincarnation: Exhibition of Public Art, Image, Communication and Industrial Design is a collection of art pieces at the Wang Center made completely of recycled materials by students at East China Normal University (ECNU). According to the related press release, “The exhibition focuses on the exploration of the connections between recycling as a practice, whether environmental or industrial, and the cyclicality of life, spirit and history.” The first word that comes to mind is “stunning.”
Upon entering the exhibit, students are instantly drawn to 210-centimeter robot called “Superman,” a piece created by ECNU student Wei Zekai entirely out of metal scraps. The robot’s head rocks back and forth as his first and third finger rise as if he is trying to welcome you to the viewing. On his chest, there is a yellow and red hazard symbol accompanied by Chinese writing.
“It was really cool to see the contrast between the organic, haphazard [boxy] piece and the Superman,” said Tim Enright, a senior anthropology major. The next piece that draws the eye is “Memory” by Bin Xu, an ECNU student. In the middle there is a dark reddish purplish cabinet door with a window opening up the exhibit. It is as if this window is a cue to look at the rest of the piece.
Xu takes an interesting approach by focusing on stacked boxes. The piece features mostly rectangular wooden pieces such as cubbies, picture frames, stool seats, cork boards and cabinets. Inside the rectangles an assortment of bottles, cans, a welder mask and a messenger bag are found throughout the exhibit that takes up an entire wall.
The rest of the exhibit, which occupies a majority of the ground floor, features projects such as hanging caps with clay figures, a table filled with plates of make- up brushes, CDs and more and other pieces — all made of recycled materials.
“Several of the pieces included in Recycling and Reincarnation represent artistic reflections or meditations on this theme, while others, particularly those of industrial design, present actual examples of creative sustainable technology,” said the exhibit’s press release.
The exhibit also highlighted work by Stony Brook’s Art Department faculty and students.
Stony Brook students took inspiration from organic objects (ones with continuous life cycles) derived from the natural world or students’ imaginations. The projects were then formed in clay, plastered, and put in transportation vessels made of recycled materials around campus.
Two long tables highlighted the students’ work. One piece in particular was a black plaster coffin with a plaster skull resting inside upon blankets of various red and white flowers.
Another piece was a basket made of newspaper filled with paper shreds. For a pop of color, a vibrant red strawberry with black seeds and a bright green stem is placed slightly off center.
Recycling & Reincarnation – An International Mixed Media Art Exhibition is open to all members of the Stony Brook community from Oct. 4 through Nov. 6. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends in the Wang Center.
