THE TRANSFORMATION OF DISCARDED MATERIALS TO OBJECTS OF AESTHETIC IMPORTANCE: JUNKS TO WEALTH
SEYI-GBANGBAYAU, PAUL S. AND AJAYI O. T., Volume 3 Issue 1, 2020 Pages 113-124, Published: 2020-09-25
Abstract
Junks otherwise known as found objects or trash are regarded as useless or discarded materials in homes, offices, workshops, factories and the environment as a whole can actually be turned into objects of aesthetic importance and also serve as a means of wealth creation through artistic expressions. These items which range from common things like disposable packs, waste plastics, straws, tires, twigs, to metal junks from vehicle parts and other metal or steel equipment constitute bulk of the waste materials that contaminate the built environment. However, this research explores some means through which junks could be adopted as a medium of creative expression hence solving three basic challenges which are: environmental degradation, economic hardship affecting the Nigerian young artists and the artistic value these objects could add to our environment. Scholarly, this study also contributes to existing literature on the topic. The research methods employed for this study include studio experiments, interview and review of some literature. Among others the research discovers that artists especially upcoming ones will find the use of junks economically viable as they have to spend less or nothing in procuring materials for their art works since junks are available freely or at cheaper cost within their immediate community instead of buying imported and expensive ones. For the purpose of this research, seven different types of junk items were examined and it concludes among others that through the use of junks by artists, the volume of waste objects in the environment decreases hence reducing the danger on the built environment at the same time producing aesthetic works as both indoor and outdoor beautification objects. The paper recommends that artists and art students should begin to explore the use of found objects as medium of creativity and this idea should be added to art and design curriculum at all levels of education.