ScrapEden SF

In 2007, ScrapEden SF –paired three San Francisco park groups with artists to create temporary public sculptures from reclaimed and recycled materials.

“We are thrilled to be working with community groups who are committed to their neighborhood parks and artists who see public art as a way to encourage people to reconsider their role in protecting the environment, “ said foundation Executive Director Leslie Pritchett. “Watching the artists’ concepts evolve in response to direct involvement with community has been very exciting."

The groups worked under a grant from the San Francisco Department of the Environment in conjunction with the Neighborhood Parks Council. Three public art projects were unveiled in SF neighborhood parks in June 2007 as the creative outcome of this collaboration:

Panhandle Bandshell, Panhandle Park

Panhandle Park was the host of a fully interactive art installation called The Panhandle Bandshell.  The piece was constructed in the style of a traditional, full-scale, acoustic bandshell… except that it was created from reclaimed materials – including car hoods, circuit boards and plastic bottles!

The Panhandle Bandshell drew attention from the curious and the creative, as residents and by-standers became performers on the interactive acoustics stage throughout the summer.

The Panhandle Bandshell was a success thanks to the collaboration of The Finch Mob, REBAR Group, CMG Landscape Architecture and the North of the Panhandle Neighborhood Association (NOPNA). panhandlebandshell.com

Casa de la Imaginacion, Parque Ninos Unidos

Artist Wendy Testu, collaborated with students from the Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School and The Mission Parents Group, to create a small open play space; constructed from leftover building supplies, tree branch trimmings, rubber bicycle tires, and plastic milk cartons, among other things.

Casa de la Imaginacion was displayed at Parque Ninos Unidos, on 23rd Street & Treat in San Francisco.  It was accessible to local residents during its exhibition with the hope that, in Testu’s words, it would “… encourage local residents of all ages to take notice of their park and consider their own consumption of materials.”

Sol Flor, Juri Commons

A colorful recycled mosaic series, Sol Flor was designed by artist Jennifer Alexander for the Juri Commons, located at 25th Street & Guerrero in San Francisco.  Sol Flor was created in collaboration with the Juri Commoners, a group of area residents and park enthusiasts.

The colorful, ‘found-objects’, mosaic was inspired by flowers and the sun. The pieces were carefully patterned along the ground throughout the park and nested amidst the grass and natural settings where folks walked, sat and picnicked on the mosaics.

Alexander believes strongly, “in living consciously and working towards a healthier future where people consider the waste that we collectively create.”

All three collaborative ScrapEden SF projects served their communities as opportunities to think and talk about the importance of recycling, reuse, and composting and to consider the impact of the human practices of accumulating, treating and creating waste.

These temporary art projects remained in place for four months.  Each was designed to engage neighbors in conversations about environmental responsibility and provide a lab for the development of a community arts organizer toolkit.

ScrapEden SF is a continuation of the Black Rock Arts Foundation’s Civic Arts Program, pairing working artists with communities to inspire positive change. Past projects of BRAF include the installation of public art in Civic Center Plaza, the Hayes Green, Pier 14 on the Embarcadero, and Indian Basin Shoreline Park at Hunter’s Point.

For more info please contact: scrapeden_sf@blackrockarts.org

or write:

BRAF / ScrapEden

1900 3rd Street, First Floor

San Francisco, CA, 94158

phone: 415-626-1248

BRAF is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, Federal Tax Exempt ID #91-2130056.

© 2004-2008 Black Rock Arts Foundation