At your disposal

To: Retort
Via: DM

[Phil invites folks to his reception this weekend - with sculptor Scott Oliver - at the SF Recycling & Disposal Artist-in-Residence Program. He will be showing two short video pieces and some projected stereographic 3D still images. There will be a cornucopia of food and booze, as well as a pile of things which Scott and Phil have scavenged from San Francisco Public Disposal - things just there for the taking. Otherwise they will be, er, dumped. IB]

Reception for Artists In Residence at the SF Dump
Friday, Jan. 25, 5 pm to 9 pm 
Saturday, Jan 26, 1 pm to 5 pm
503 Tunnel Ave, SF CA 94134

“The Circle of Acknowledgement” by Philip Bonner
“Want Nots” by Scott Oliver


Known by most as "Bulk Foodveyor", Philip Bonner made two short video projects at the dump: 'The Purpose-Driven Life' is experimental, improvisational and depends heavily on found objects scavenged from San Francisco’s trash which he used to make props, costumes, sets and miniature environments. Using a process called Chroma Key, performers were filmed separately then digitally superimposed into the trashy sets. 

'The Circle of Acknowledgment,' resembles a traditional movie and was filmed on location at the recycling facilities. Bonner made stereographic 3D still images from both projects that will also be on exhibit at the reception.

Sculptor and conceptual artist Scott Oliver is particularly drawn to utilitarian objects. He collected table legs, clothes hangers, milk crates, step ladders, hammocks, broom handles, LPs and electrical cords to create provocative works of art influenced by the setting at SFR&D.

Bench Curl, made for the company’s on-site sculpture garden, is a picnic bench that curls up on itself like a wave meeting the shore. Core Column, features layers of household items and construction materials such as carpet, drywall, insulation, furniture padding, etc. was inspired by the core samples used by scientists called “garbologists” who study the contents of landfills. 

In a nod to the late Jo Hanson, the AIR Program’s founder, known for making art from street sweepings in her lower Haight neighborhood, Oliver began his own daily practice in the studio. “Reading Jo’s impressive obituary I was struck by her daily practice of sweeping—something she incorporated quite seamlessly into her art practice”. Oliver created an hour glass with the sand he collected. The sand runs out in 45 seconds or “the same amount of time most people look at a piece of artwork”, says Oliver. 

The artist-in-residence program at San Francisco’s dump is a one of a kind program started in 1990, whose purpose is to encourage people to conserve natural resources and instill in children and adults increased appreciation for the environment as well as art. Sixty-six professional Bay Area artists have completed residencies. Applications are accepted annually (in August) from professional artists from the Bay Area.

Admission to the January exhibition is free and open to the public.

http://www.sfrecycling.com/AIR