Creative genius

Forrest Mc Cluer's Computer Virus #1
Floppy (2009)
This is based on a hybrid of T4 Bacteriophge and Adenovirus

I'd like to invite you to experience the creative genius of  Forrest Mc Cluer, economist by day and sculptor by night.  Forrest's collection of sculptures is comprised of three-dimensional "manipulations of  'found' objects into certain geometric shapes or polyhedra."  The shapes that Forrest replicates are found in nature and have fascinated artists and scientists for centuries.  His website, http://www.30computers.com/gallery.htm documents his ongoing project to deconstruct 30 discarded personal computers and then create sculptures from all of their constituent parts.  By making these 3D shapes with found objects he aims to "mark our moment in time with materials that would otherwise be disposed of and lost forever."  A 3D alacartegreen dream!

Earrings made from hard drive spacers

I was introduced to Forrest by a friend of the family when hubby donated several hard drives to his cause.  Forrest's up-cycling and creative use of the integral parts of the computers that he is deconstructing, and his detailed use of the parts was intriguing to say the least!  It quickly became evident that his passion goes beyond constructing his sculptures; his meticulous research of microbiology and virology, and mastery of mathematics are clear in the polyhedron shapes and viruses that he sculpts  http://www.30computers.com/CV_Transformer.htm.   Forrest writes that:

"It was the self-assembly or self-replication characteristic of biological viruses that influenced University of Southern California doctoral candidate Fred Cohen. He is the person who coined the term "computer virus" to describe a computer program that can "affect other computer programs by modifying them in such a way as to include a (possibly evolved) copy of itself." [2], [3].

Forrest's insightful use of computer parts to construct sculptures of biological viruses, which   computer viruses mimic is pure genius.   

As you can imagine, I was thrilled that the unused hard drives were slated to be up-cycled in such an imaginative, innovative way while simultaneously helping to declutter.   Although there was no need to thank us for the donation of the hard drives, Forrest thoughtfully surprised me and the girls with funky earrings made from spacers from the computer hard drives, and a hysterical "digital pirate" ear loop for the boys.  I can't wait to see the newest sculpture he creates with the hard drives!  If you'd like to see some of Forrest's sculptures up close, check out his work at the upcoming Artomatic Show in Washington, DC on May 18th http://www.artomatic.org/ .

Green Bling

Artsy Fartsy earrings ~ $15

Susi DuPuis, took the saying,  "One man's (or woman's) trash, is another man's (or woman's) treasure", and allowed her imagination to soar.  She is the brainchild behind the creative jewelry collection called "Artsy Fartsy, recycled plastic jewelry", and her creations are inventive, colorful, and fun!

Artsy Fartsy bracelets ~ $20

She makes fun, funky, eye-catching jewelry from common household plastic containers, and if you look closely enough you may even spot a logo or two.

Susi is enthusiastic about sharing her art with others, and teaches classes and does demonstrations to help others consider using plastic as an art medium.  She's been featured in several shows on the West Coast for SCRAP Art, Trash to Treasure, and Salvage Art Exhibitions.

Artsy Fartsy necklaces featuring "stacked" disk beads $30-$90

Susi says, "I believe that what I am doing is merely scratching the surface of ideas for using recycled plastic containers.  What is most meaningful to me as an artist....is that my jewelry represents art and recycling with a functional element.  The plastic is recycled into a whole new functional life as jewelry....it's not recycled art just for art's sake."  I'm so impressed that Susi had the vision to take containers that many toss in the trash (yikes, why don't they toss them in the plastic recycle bins instead!?!), and creates such fun, funky, functional jewelry.  That's why I think Artsy Fartsy, recycled plastic jewelry is such a gem!

The earrings, bracelets, brooches, and gorgeous necklaces, are one of a kind pieces of functional art made by dissecting household containers, hand cutting the shapes, and fashioning them into jewelry.  Besides being beautiful, and unique, Susi says that the "green bling" is often a conversation starter and sends a loud and clearly beautiful message about the importance of recycling and reusing resources.   

Artsy Fartsy brooches ~ $20

I hope you'll stop by her website and browse her beautiful items, and next time you are looking for a unique green gift, consider purchasing one of her items.  I'm eye-ing a bracelet and necklace myself! ;)

http://www.artsyfartsyjewelry.com/index.html