Junk originally referred to the old cable or rope discarded by sailors, according to the 1911 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Using junk to make pieces of art is a creative way to reduce waste and recycle unusual products. The two general categories of junk art are assemblage and sculpture. Assemblages are projects that do not involve the permanent alteration of the forms of individual pieces of junk. Painting a broken chair, creating a wall of plastic bottles and etching into an old chalkboard -- all are examples of assemblage. Sculpture encompasses all other junk art, which involves the fusing or binding of multiple pieces of junk into a single entity.
Shadow Art
Use piles of junk to project shadow art. Tim Noble and Sue Webster are two British artists who use everything from animal carcasses to toothbrushes to make shadow art. When illuminated from a particular angle, these heaps of junk produce a shadow that resembles that of another object. For example, Noble and Webster created a form from organic materials that projected silhouettes of their profiles. Creating shadow art out of junk is a process of trial and error. Working in front of a single light source, such as a flashlight or lantern, layer objects and observe the shadow created by the form.
Abstract Sculptures
Use junk to create an abstract sculpture. Recover the scrap metal from cars, appliances and product packaging. Unravel clothing and linen to reuse the thread. Secure old paint from a home-goods store or completed construction project; try to find someone who will donate paint and other junk. You can solder, weld, fuse, sew, glue or clamp sculptural elements together. Consider the dismantling of the art installation if it will be moved to a new facility.
Soda Can Lanterns
Cut 10 to 20 vertical slits in the side of an aluminum soda can. Compress the can and gently pull the sides of the can outward to form a curved body; you may bend the slits to form a 45-degree angle for a shorter lantern. Insert a votive candle into the can and light. You can use a lanterns on a tabletop or suspend them from a wire. You can reuse them many times; before each use check the can for damage that could compromise the structural integrity of the can and cause a potential fire hazard.
Fused Plastic
Fuse your plastic bags to create a durable, recycled material that you can use to make totes, wallets, dog leashes, car mats, ponchos and more. Cut the handles and base off a plastic bag. Invert the bag so that the side with the ink is facing inside. Fold the bag in half twice to form a sheet of plastic eight-layers thick. Sandwich the plastic between two sheets of parchment or waxed paper. Iron for 10 to 15 seconds to melt the plastic and create a sheet of fused material.
Related Posts:
Make Art Out Of Junk Metal
A Brazed Junk Metal SculptureThere are several techniques used to connect junk metal together including fabrication applications such as brazing, wire bending, welding, screwi...
Projects To Reuse Junk
Rusty Discarded Metal Suitable for Art ProjectsReusing junk for creative projects and practical purposes keeps it out of landfills and can save you money. By reusing material,...
Make Artwork Out Of Junk Metal
Visit a local junk yard to find scrap metal that can be turned into art.With a little imagination, junk metal turns into a piece of artwork. Artists watch for items they can use to create a master...
Make Garden Art From Junk
Old gardening tools make excellent garden art pieces as is.Let your garden express your personality. Create decorations from discarded materials to keep the cost of decorating your area down and e...
Make A Flower Plant Stand From Metal Junk
Using free junk is always better, for you and the environmentWander through any home and garden center and you will see a variety of faux-vintage metal garden art for your yard. It may look like j...
