Let’s Talk Trash!
To make real change on any issue, we believe the first step is raising awareness. Awareness without action will not lead to change, but in order to build a movement, you have to share your story by telling people and try to get them to care. Raising awareness is an important aspect of our focus areas at Waste-Free Dayton. When we were contacted in late January to be a part of an art exhibition coming to Dayton called Trash Talk, it didn’t take long for us to say yes to the opportunity.
The exhibition opened last Friday at the Edward A. Dixon Gallery in downtown Dayton, and it features the work of Cincinnati-area artists Paul Kroner and Devan Horton. From the release on the website for Paul Kroner’s studio:
TRASH TALK features artists Devan Horton and Paul Kroner, who shine a light on trash and its literal and metaphorical implications. Devan’s “Penchant” series is designed to confront our cultural obsession with consumption and waste. “Penchant” pulls the viewer in with the idea that we are our own invasive species. Horton says that a lot of her work throughout college had to do with invasive species and swarming organisms, but the subject of trash stole her focus. “While on hikes looking for things to paint, I’d find trash all the time. It became what an invasive human species looks like and grew from there.”
For his part in the exhibition, Kroner’s series entitled “Box News” takes on the toxic and nonstop news cycle. Using corrugated boxes found curbside on trash day as his canvas, Kroner prompts a discussion on how these boxes have become an ever-present symbol of our capitalistic society and a fitting canvas for portraits of people who “litter our airwaves and bombard us with an endless parade of lies and propaganda.”
When the exhibition was installed last week, Natalie and Brett from WFD were able to get a sneak peek and to meet the artists and Ed, the owner of the gallery.
At the opening reception last Friday, after Ed, Paul, Devan and City Commissioner Matt Joseph spoke, we were given the chance to share the story of WFD, how we got started, and why we do what we do. With our tagline of “Community Collaboration for a Healthier and More Sustainable Future”, this kind of event is right up our alley. We know we cannot solve all of the issues ourselves. It’s going to take partnerships and long-term collaborations, and building community, to achieve sustainability. We are so thankful to be invited to participate in this exhibition, and our hope is that we’ll see more events like this in the future to bring people together.
Part of the proceeds from certain purchases at the exhibition will be donated to Waste-Free Dayton, and there are Donation QR Codes hanging around the gallery to make a donation to WFD.
The exhibition runs through March 25th, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and by appointment, with a closing reception scheduled for Saturday, March 25th, from 1-4 pm. We hope you check out the exhibition!
For More Information
In the Media
https://dayton247now.com/good-day-dayton/trash-talk-exhibit-at-edward-a-dixon-gallery# (VIDEO)