Art With Dumpsters

Art with Dumpsters

Most of us are familiar with recycling, especially when it comes to re-purposing regular household items: but recycling can happen on a larger level than what we imagine. Have you ever thought of what happens to giant metal containers like dumpsters or storage containers after they have retired?  Sadly, most go to landfills or garbage dumps, or are just left behind to rot: but there are several companies and community groups that have started to give these retired vessels a second life. Some are using them to make functional tiny houses or office buildings, while some are making major contributions to the art community.

RAIR- Recycled Artist In Residency in Philadelphia, is an organization that gives artists an outlet for their work using trash. Since 2010, this group has become an opportunity for artists from all over to utilize recycled junk. In 2014, RAIR developed a project that included dumpsters. They were commissioned to paint 10 different dumpsters as part of their #DumpsterDoubleTake campaign. In 2015, RAIR brought their dumpster painting to nearby schools. They helped students paint their recycling dumpster for the First Lego League Competition. Check out their dumpsters and upcoming projects at: http://rairphilly.org/dumpster-painting.

Tiny homes have become more and more popular these past few years and making them out of dumpsters is becoming even more common! Jeff Wilson, a professor and dean from Huston-Tilloston University in Austin Texas made a great educational impact beyond his university. While teaching environmental studies, he took his interest of learning about the footprint’s humans leave on the planet to the next level. In 2013, he launched the dumpster project. Wilson and his class took a 6×6 foot dumpster and began making it into a functional home. In 2014, Wilson decided to move into his tiny home. Learn more about Wilsonn at: https://www.littlethings.com/professor-dumpster-home/1

Gregory Kloehn works to deconstruct what we think of as a home and reconstructs what it could be. He rebuilds a small street dumpster and adds all functioning attributes to what we consider is in a home. Running water, electric, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen are compressed into this tiny home. Find a video on Kloehns work by Kim Aronson and photos by Hrag Vartanian here: http://tinyhouseswoon.com/tiny-dumpster-house/

The idea of a dumpster for a home may be a little difficult to image, but have you thought about having a roll-off dumpster as a business building? Artist Mac Premo used a 30-yard dumpster to create his own traveling art gallery. He travels with over 500 pieces of work with him to various well-known art festivals. Check out his dumpster: https://www.hometowndumpsterrental.com/blog/9-cool-ways-to-upcycle-roll-off-dumpster-containers.