Collections from Last Week

Collections from last week. The 'b' is quite interesting. Or is it a d? or a p? or a q?

New Value

An interesting article in which the author tells of two sides to any designed piece. It's historical context and the context we give to it through our own memories.

http://observatory.designobserver.com/entry.html?entry=10767

The trash I have collect during my experiment was, in all cases, designed for a particular purpose. (i.e. bbq invitation, beer label, etc) However, as I encounter the tossed-away-remains I give them new meaning. Through analysis and critique value is found in an object which was originally given no value and was littered away.

Legitamate Rubbish

This week turned out to be the messiest of all. Garbage everywhere. Yet I collected less than the previous weeks. Odd it may seem that the quantity was not proportional equal to the quality that I have encountered in the past. (If it can indeed ever really be called quality.)

I decided to investigate behind a local Shopko which also borders a freeway. The fence which barriers the freeway was full of trash thrown from vehicles. These were not mere scraps of paper, this was legitamate rubbish, soaking in puddles of filth. Disgusting. Yet thousands of people a day pass by. I became just one more.

At the start I set out to not only collect but to help out if I could by picking up litter. I was reminded this week by my first priority and as I said before I am not an environmentalist by any means. Therefore I did not clean up this horrid mess, my desire to tidy up a bit was outweighed by my unwant of getting a disease or pricking myself on some stray needle.

Seems I may not have come as far as I thought. But I am first and foremost a collector here and there was nothing for me.

To this point I have avoided collecting package and wrappers mostly because they are seen everywhere and immediately recognizable. Not very interesting. This was all I discovered here. Wendy's cups, cigarette cartons, etc.

I did find some interesting tags and a cool spot to possibly return with my skateboard but this was it.

Tags, a dead bird, and a place for the buttheads.

One Man's Junk

I came across lots of roster papers for the local little league coaches. On one Felipe was listed as the only substitute. I wonder if he ever took the field or remained the "backup". Beneath a bleecher lay a solitary scrap of paper, folded and hidden. I thought it must contain somebody's secrets of some kind. Upon unfolding it however, I discovered only the words "Hannah Montana." It's very important to someone out there. Other findings of note are:

• A roll of measuring tape with the tape inside.


• Some scraps of burned paper.


• A sticker which reads "I helped fire fighters help 'Jersey's Kids.'"
  

The Park Tales

This week the experiment continues. I swept the park near my house this week for anything of interest. There seemed to be many stories here of which I'm unaware but can certainly imagine.

Much of the park, I found, has been dedicated to the President's of the Salt Lake Women's Council. Plaques sit before several trees. One of them was cut down. I wonder if her family knows, or maybe they're the culprits themselves.

I came to a secluded bridge which crosses a creek far below. It was a romantic, little spot; the kind you see on engagement announcements. I've even used it before myself as the centerpiece to my own special occasion. A date which included a treasure hunt. Under the bridge a different narrative played out. There was an abundant amount of soda bottles and chip bags. How many teenage potsmokers had taken advantage of this refuge I could only guess. The remains of at least one of their homemade devices had been discarded here. I took the liberty of throwing it in the trash for them.

Nearby a guy played tennis with a girlfriend. His shorts were shorter than hers. The adjacent basketball court honored the late "Hoop it Up" Dan. The greek fraternity letters cause me jump to likely conclusions about his demise.

an interesting garbage illustration.

"I better get on that side I don't have my passport."

Just like last week I discovered how much junk is really just lying around.

First Findings

The joker cards are pretty amazing, the elegant Rachel logo is not bad either. I just feel bad I missed that BBQ.

Start of an Experiment

Being a graphic design student I try to keep myself sensitive to design which surrounds us everyday. I have a habit of perusing magazines and advertisements for interesting use of typography and graphics. Now, I should say I do not consider myself an environmentalist or one overly concerned about global warming (in fact I am not at all), but as I went out today with the intent to observe my own apartment complex and, if possible, collect anything of interest. Upon setting out to do this I began to pick up certain pieces of trash on the ground near the dumpster. The first couple of things I picked up were quite interesting, including a index card of handwritten notes pricing a dream cruise vacation. As I continued my walk I began to realize how much litter really dotted the whole area. Not only did I continue to pick up the various flyers and cards but I took to picking up the rest of the litter as well. I found a particularly lot in the tucked away, neglected corners between the apartment buildings. As I searched these nooks I began to notice many other things of note: a children's chalk drawing on a wall, a toy truck obscured by deep grass, and a bottle cap from Mexico. And this is where I live! I found the whole process surprising facinating. I had a sense of fulfillment both for doing something good for the complex and for the time I had to reflect on my own life. I make it a goal to try the same thing weekly. I suspect that as I explore other locations (or even this same location on a different occasion) I will likewise feel uplifted and surprised by the vastly interesting world around us.