Ethylene Monomer Bamboo, recycled post-consumer plastic bags, fabric 2000 x 1200mm on 6000mm poles (x30) Bryony Matthew and Verena Jonker
Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke 2011
Monomer Art Project is a collaboration between Bryony Matthew and Verena Jonker. Their current work is a response to concerns surrounding the Western culture’s focus on consumption. Both have an interest in land art, the kinetic art of Len Lye, and a strong desire to explore issues surrounding waste.
“Ethylene Monomer consist of a linear arrangement of graphic flags, traversing the uneven terrain of the headland. The flags are constructed out of (post-consumer) branded plastic shopping bags, collected from over 30 countries, to represent the global scale of consumerism. The installation is a kinetic experience for the viewers….”
Headland Sculpture on the Gulf 2011 publication, Pg 20,
ISBN 978 0 473 18186 4
Copy of the letter used to solicit post consumer plastic bags from over 30 countries in 2010.
July 2010
Kia ora to our friends, and friends of friends from New Zealand.
Welcome to our collaborative art project : Ethylene Monomer
We (Verena Jonker and Bryony Matthew) are creating an installation for the outdoor sculpture exhibition called Headland, Sculpture on the Gulf, 2011.
This is the fifth biennial exhibition of Sculpture on the Gulf. Please have a look at their website for information on the show. (www.sculptureonthegulf.co.nz)
Here is an opportunity to be involved in an interesting art project, at whatever level of engagement works for you.
Our sculpture has an global environmental message, and we need contributions from around the world to make it a success.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:
We are collecting used, branded, plastic domestic shopping bags from around the world, which we will collage into large flags. Ideally we would like contributions in the form of a collection of 20 – 30 branded plastic bags. These can be a collection of the bags that you acquire through your normal shopping routines. Edit them according to your own aesthetic taste; we will need some that are colourful and graphic, and we can use groups of five to ten that are the same. Of course if you want to be involved but only get 5 bags together, that is still a great contribution.
The bags then need to travel to us, preferably before the end of August, 2010.
However, we wont complete the project before the end of October, 2010, so do send them even if it is after the end of August.
To get bags to us – two options are;
– As luggage with a person traveling to New Zealand (plastic bags are light and can be compacted to take up a minimum of space) , then domestic post within NZ.
-Or post them with international economy post
Verena Jonker …….. Mt Albert Auckland 1025 New Zealand
We are aware of the time and energy and postage costs it will take to follow through on our request. We will recognize the efforts of all the contributors by adding a tag with their names and country of origin, on the final flags.
Please communicate with us:
monomerartproject@vodafone.co.nz
We will answer any questions of course, and are also really interested in:
-Dialogue/documentation/photos of your process in collecting and editing the bags.
-Local/anecdotal perspectives on the general state of the environment, and the use of plastic in your country.
-Comments on your governments’ actions or inactions on environmental issues, and the use of plastic in your country.
In the process of putting together this installation we hope to connect with a new global community of friends and artists. Let’s see where it takes us.
Our Concept:
Ethylene Monomer
We are doing an outdoor installation consisting of fifty large graphic flags. The flags will be constructed out of branded plastic shopping bags, on flexible six meter high poles.
The site of the exhibition is on a headland of Waiheke Island, an island in the Hauraki Gulf, near Auckland in New Zealand.
In the tradition of the New Zealand artist Len Lye – it will be a kinetic experience for the viewers of both movement and sound in a constantly changing relationship with the environment.
Also consider the flags symbolic of a diplomatic gathering of nations concerned about the impact of consumerism on the environment.
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Bryony Matthew was born in Wellington New Zealand in 1973 and studied at Hungry Creek Art and Craft School, Puhoi; and Unitec Design School, Auckland. Now based in Auckland, she has spent the last 15 years working in the New Zealand film industry. Bryony is currently represented by the Letham Gallery in Auckland, and has had several exhibitions over the last 6 years.
Verena was born in the Netherlands in 1973 and emigrated to New Zealand with her family in 1979; who were drawn to the vast unspoilt landscapes and the freedom it represented. Initially studying in Auckland, she has lived in towns throughout New Zealand; and traveled extensively overseas, but is now settled back in Auckland. After obtaining a degree in graphic design at AUT she realized that her interest really lay in three dimensional work, and she began working in the TV/film industry. During her fifteen years of experience in this field she has worked as a set sculptor, props maker and art director. Having worked on such films as Lord of the Rings, the Last Samurai and the upcoming Yogi Bear, she is aware of the limitless possibilities of the imagination.