Seeing the Beauty

Hundreds of pelicans, seagulls and other birds of prey fly high over the skyscrapers of downtown San Francisco searching for the next big catch. Recently, artists have taken to this way of scavenging, searching for parts they can use to create something that is destined to be anything but trash. Eric Otto, an artist who is very involved here in San Francisco, is always on the lookout for usable parts.  Even though he may have never actually dived into a dumpster, his stint at Recology required him to catapult into an entire dump. However, just throwing a whole bunch of scraps of trash together does not qualify as art.  Finding just the right piece is an art in itself and requires a trained eye, but the rewards are great. When asked what he likes best about recycled materials, Eric Otto replied, “First the obvious...there's tons of it if you learn where to look. Secondly, it usually contains unique qualities and imperfections that create a sense of history and past that I like to collaborate with. And lastly, working with materials that will never be perfect, opens the door to improvisation that translates into a sense of discovery when making the art… That or complete disaster.” The recycled pieces are just as important in the creation process as anything and add a lot to the artist’s experience. Although, more than trash can be found at the dump, including perfectly good new paint and lumber, Otto reflected that “This lifestyle is more about knowing where to find what you need than anything else.”  Otto says he was initially drawn to the idea of giving something that was thrown out a second chance at life, and the fact that the materials never get old, which provides major intrigue for artists.  So where does recyclable art fit in to the green movement that is currently taking over San Francisco? Otto described it as a way to inspire people to think more about reusability, “Those that are drawn to my work are drawn to it because they like what they see, but often after finding out it's made from discarded materials, they like it even more, and I can get down with that.”  Seeing the beauty in things that most people don’t is a trait that Eric Otto shares with unconventional nature writer Jenny Price, who’s article 13 Ways of Seeing Nature in L.A. showcases the unsung nature in the city that has become the symbol for all things anti-nature.  The article explains different ways to find nature in places you normally would not expect to, one of which being in a mango body whip cream (Price).  Even though the mango does not show itself in a conventional form, it still is in the product and very much connected to nature.  Sounds a lot like seeing the good in an old piece of rusty, contorted scrap metal.  Many artists share the same knack for seeing the splendor in irregular materials, and the environment is benefitting from it.  The movement to use recycled materials and put a stop to wastefulness by using waste is on the rise and gaining heaps of recognition not only for its unique and stunning aesthetic, but also for the drive that artists who are creating the pieces have.  Eric Otto describes being an artist who uses such materials, “I feel like I am part of a group of people who lead a humble movement of demonstrating how to see the beauty where others don't. The more people we can get on board the better.”  The bigger message artists like Eric Otto focus on is reflecting their connection with the environment in their work, which is very inspiring to all those who see it.

/Blair & Melinda

Works Cited:

Price, Jenny. "Thirteen Ways of Seeing Nature in L.A.."Believer (2006): n. pag. Web. 10 Dec 2010. <http://www.believermag.com/issues/200604/?read=article_price>.

Otto, Eric. Personal Interview by Blair Reed. 27 Nov 2010.