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Mierle
Laderman Ukeles is keenly interested in pushing recycled
materials in transformative, new uses. At Danehy Park
she researched and developed new uses for recycled materials.
The project is a long-term collaboration to transform
an expired landfill into a public park. Ukeles’
involvement began in 1989 and to date three parts have
been completed. The “turnaround” path wraps
around the site at a slow grade so that the top is wheelchair
accessible. It is made of glassphalt that combines asphalt
with 22 tons of glass recycled by Cambridge residents
for one week, and donated colored glass from Spectrum
Glass Co. in Woodenville, WA. The planting plan features
native grasses that wave with sweet-smelling plants
to counter the bad smell associated with the site. Ukeles
developed a new application for tiny bits of crushed
recycled rubber surface used for athletic fields. Here
she has created 24’ diameter area in the form
of a colorful galaxy, a dance floor that mirrors the
sky. The Thrones for the King and Queen of the Hill,
made of aluminum (an excellent recyclable) will be installed
this summer. The final phase of “community implants”
that will implant personal offerings from 56 different
language cultures spoken in the Cambridge public schools
will take place over the next two years.
As the Artist-in-Residence for New York City’s
Department of Sanitation since 1978, Ukeles has been
a force in raising awareness about the garbage, the
systems and people handling garbage, and expanding the
role of artists. She is the recipient of numerous awards
and public art commissions, and is currently part of
the master plan team for the Fresh Kills Landfill in
Staten Island. For more information about her work visit
www.feldmangallery.com. |
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Documentation
of Turnaround Surround for Danehy Park, Cambridge,
MA, Parts 1, 2, 3
photographs
dimensions variable
Courtesy of the artist, Cambridge Arts Council,
and Ronald Feldman Fine Arts |
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Reduce/Reuse/Reexamine
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