Something unexpected from plastic bottles

[breeze]

Here’s something we found wonderful, the more so because the sign outside the exhibit called it art made from recyclables, which led us to expect kids’ school artwork. This was at the headquarters of the Parc Naturel Regional de Normandie-Maine at Carrouges.

But once we entered the former church and looked around and saw the dozens, maybe hundreds, of cleverly designed objects, we knew there was a witty accomplished artist behind these works recycling ordinary discards–takeout containers, detergent bottles, watering cans, shampoo bottles.

His name is Claude Imhof. I’ve since looked him up and learned that he is a former professor of Decorative Arts in Paris. He says he responds to the colors and the plasticity of these objects.

He turns them into mice, Sisyphus, waving hands, supplicants, the head of a bull, and happy marchers.

He gets his effects by cutting into the shapes of plastic discards. I don’t think he’s done any drawing on them. I remember seeing some wire and some yarn on a few of the watering cans, but no drawing.

If I saw a shampoo bottle on its side I’d think “fallen shampoo bottle,” but he saw mice. His mice have delicate tails, adorable whiskers, teeth, and paws. There’s a horde of these mice on a barrel head. They must be waiting for the Pied Piper to come back, since the label says “Hans, reviendra-t-il?”

[breeze]

"Les joyeux flacons." Upright plastic bottles are smiling and waving their arms as they march single file, looking a little tipsy.

[tod2]

Very clever! Never seen creatures formed out of one single item.
My grandson has to bring 10 bags ( it has to be one of the large big bin size ones) filled with anything that can be recycled. For his efforts he gets some kind of recognition. I think the parents and especially grandparents should get the 'Gold Star' He reached 6 bags in 2 weeks and I have another 3 here waiting for Monday.

[Deleted]

And what's great is they last 10,000 years!

[breeze]

Here's something appropriate for your grandson, Tod. This is Sisyphus eternally pushing a ball of plastic uphill.

[breeze]

The artist tips his hat to Duchamp.

[breeze]

This is Sideration or maybe Siderance. Supplication, maybe? If so, I probably shouldn't say that to me this looks like Al Jolson giving it the big finish.

[breeze]

I think of this one as cats with wings. I can't read the title, which is just a weight in grams, either of the container or the amount it holds.

[breeze]

Head of a bull or maybe the minotaur. There may have been another figure attached to the back of this one.

[breeze]

The exhibit was called Arrosoirs sans retenues, which I translate as Leaky watering cans, but I doubt that I’ve captured the full meaning.

[breeze]

This one is "Last call." If I'd known how much post-trip enjoyment I would have from this exhibit, I would have taken more and better photos.

[Deleted]

I might translate that as "watering cans holding back nothing." (sans retenue is along the lines of no holds barred)

[htmb]

These are clever and quite interesting, breeze.

[Deleted]

The additions are becoming more and more fascinating.

[tod2]

Breeze - there is nothing wrong with your photos! They are excellent! More would have been nice but you have given us a real arty insight as to what recycling can be about!
The kids at my grandson's school do not do anything with the stuff they bring....as far as I know, but I will find out if they pick stuff out for their own creations.

I like the 'Al Jolson' flying Siderance. I can see it would be possible to make them out of our 2L plastic milk bottles.

[breeze]

These yellow feet are such an economical way to express someone kneeling. If you look through to the front, you can see that the hands are held upright, which didn't seem right to me. I didn't have a photo taken from the front, but I checked and found one of the posters which shows this piece, and the hands, with long fingers and thumbs, are held palms up as though asking for or accepting a gift. This exhibit must have been tricky to set up--all those little hands and whiskers to protect--and maybe they never got around to positioning these hands.

[mossie]

All very clever, thanks for showing us.

[breeze]

Claude Imhof, the mind behind the creations above, has a current exhibit at the headquarters of the Parc naturel régional du Perche, till December 6, 2015. Looks like he has added some new works.

"Claude Imhof expose nos Errances plastiques à la maison du Parc. Des ateliers débats sur l'eau, les matières plastiques et les déchets sont également programmés."

I can link to the park's facebook page, but not to the specific entry for this exhibit.

www.facebook.com/pnrperche?fref=nf

Wish we could be there and this time look at all of it at our leisure.

[mossie]

That is clever and different. The mouse in the first photo got me hooked.

[chexbres]

I love stuff like this. Like Michelangelo finding the sculpture which is hidden in the stone.
I just bought a few inexpensive "plaids" - throws to put over the couch - which were made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. They are thin, but amazingly warm. Good to know I won't have to buy any more for the next 500 years, too!