Astounding artwork of Chris Jordan depicts deluge of "stuff."

[immoderate]

One of the new developments of the past 200 years in the invention of garbage. It didn't exist before then. That is, things that were produced by humans could be gracefully returned to the environment. Since then we have produced mountains of stuff that ultimately will become garbage, which we must find a place for.

This striking artwork takes into account the numbers of such things. "Where will it go?" is one of the questions I ask myself and find no answer to. Jordan's work is amazing and beautiful and illustrates (literally) this plight. Here's a sample:


This is actually 60x80 inches. It is composed of 32,000 Barbies, equal to the number of elective breast augmentation surgeries performed monthly in the US in 2006.
Here is a section at actual size:


More of this amazing stuff, drinking cups, office paper, prison uniforms, hundred dollar bills, etc., at:
http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php

--IMM

[maxsolomon]

1. makes me feel a bit better about my consumption levels, actually.

for some reason, i use 0 plastic bottles. probably because i gave up corn syrup & bottled water.

i do use about 1 aluminum can/week, though - becuz guiness stout is excellent!

[immoderate]

2. Brilliant!

So you're the one.

--IMM

[Warpy]

3. He keeps adding new stuff, too

I think I last visited his page over a year ago. Some of it is really appalling.

Thanks for posting.

[immoderate]

4. I know I've seen his work before.

Someone reminded me by sending a link today. Accumulation of garbage is one of those things like creeping fascism, and global warming that's always lingering at the back of my mind.

--IMM

[bbgrunt]

5. wonderful creativity. Didn't Colbert have him on a while back?

[pansypoo53219]

7. yes he was.

also saw him on moyers. his images are beautiful.

i got a battery recharger. trying to clean up there. i recycle rabidly and try not to buy anything but food new. reuse when i can. if i shop, it's estate sales or resale. estate sales ROCK! and such a bargain. and lot of it goes to ebay or donated or hoarded. heh, i do dumpster raiding as well.
i avoid fast food drinks. fast food in general.

COMPOST. rabid composter. if it's biodegradable, i compost it. trying to use handkerchiefs. but compost kleenex.

[Oilwellian]

6. He allowed me to make a video of his work

I wrote and asked him if I could make a video of some of his work and put it up on YouTube and he was very supportive of the idea. Unfortunately, YouTube's resolution requirements didn't do justice to his artwork but was still happy to bring more attention to the issue of consumption and directed all viewers to his website. He was on Colbert's show a few months ago and is gaining more attention now. His work is stunning and really makes you see more of a combined effect rather than just your individual use of products. Thanks for posting his newer work. :toast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9FoGUjk880

[immoderate]

8. That video is wonderful.

I'd love to know more about how he works. Does he actually assemble those materials and photograph them? Or is it a virtual montage done in PhotoShop?

Great that you got to get so close.

--IMM

[Oilwellian]

11. It's a digital montage

Thanks! He probably figures how many per square inch and then duplicates that to the number he wants to represent. It's brilliant and effective. :D

I hope one day to make one of his exhibits in person. I'm sure it's absolutely stunning to see his displays take up entire walls.

[americanstranger]

9. His Katrina pics are stark and heartbreaking.

Thanks for that link. He truly is doing some amazing work.

- as

[leftchick]

10. this one makes me ill

I hate plastic bottles!

[babydollhead]

12. My son and I just emailed him

thanking him for his mind blowing reality check. He emailed us right back. As an artist, I am so glad to find a person that says,"Look!" and then respond whan you do. wow. thanks.

[immoderate]

13. Great that he responds.

Though from the concern his work shows, I'm not surprised.

--IMM

[immoderate]

14. A kick for the evening crowd.

--IMM

[cyberpj]

15. His site says a DVD, book and posters w/be coming soon :

News for 2008:

DVD PROJECT: In response to many requests from teachers, Chris will soon release a DVD of his work, made especially for America's youth. Advance sales of the DVD will begin in a few weeks, and the video will be available by the beginning of April.

NEW BOOK PROJECT: A self-published catalog of the Running the Numbers series will be available in April. Printed with vegetable inks on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, it will be available through this website and through the galleries that represent Chris's work.

POSTERS COMING SOON: Posters of the Running the Numbers series will be available in April, also printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with veggie inks.

More info (including shows) here:
http://www.chrisjordan.com/

[immoderate]

16. Good. His home page was down for maintenance when I went there earlier today.

--IMM