Recycled Re-Seen: Folk Art from the Global Scrap Heap (Paperback)

~ Charlene Cerny (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether it is a dustpan made out of a license plate, a bowl fashioned from a bent vinyl record, a pair of sandals with soles made of Goodyear tire treads, or a tin-can lantern, folk artists all over the world are turning trash into treasure. Their found and recycled materials are reincarnated to create clothing, jewelry, toys, artworks, and useful household objects, such as a measuring scale made of two sardine cans. Focusing on the folk art practices of several cultures, this book is a celebration of the transformative genius of these artists, as well as an exploration of the diverse environments--from Ecuador and Mexico to Senegal and the U.S.--in which they live and work.

From Library Journal

The focus of this volume (and the associated traveling exhibition) is the increasing tendency of the world's folk artists to utilize the discards of our industrial and postindustrial consumer world as materials for their creations. In 11 essays, various scholars discuss topics ranging from the renowned history of the development of steel drum bands in the Caribbean to lesser-known examples of "recycled" art from India, Africa, Latin America, and the United States. The whimsical nature and surprising practicality of many of the objects depicted make the accompanying photos a visual delight. Highly recommended for academic collections, but the charm of the objects should make this appealing to the general audience served by public libraries as well.?Eugene C. Burt, Art Inst. of Seattle Lib.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810926660
• ISBN-13: 978-0810926660
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #941,652 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, broad approach to the subject., February 12, 1999

By A Customer

A very informative book with a good mix of visual and written information. Great to find a book on recycling that goes beyond "101 things to do with a toilet roll"! A very good starting point if you are interested in crafts and objects made from salvaged materials with a "majority" world bias. Good for dipping into and reading right through.Of interest to a wide age group, art and craft practitioners/students or armchair travellers.