In collaboration with The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, artists Jana Cruder & Matthew LaPenta present “Natural Plasticity”   as part of W.A.V.E.S World Art Vision for Environmental Sustainability a public art collaboration between the Do Art Foundation www.doartfoundation.org, RVCC and Shark Allies.  The inaugural public art installation will take place at Pershing Square park downtown Los Angeles. 

Location: Pershing Square Park  532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013.                                                        

Dates: Friday March 25 & Saturday March 26th sunrise-sunset.  

Natural Plasticity 

Natural Plasticity is a large-scale commentary on the impact of disposable plastic and consumer behavior towards our natural environment.  This public art installation places artists Cruder / LaPenta’s contemporary  replicas of disposable plastic trash into our urban and park settings to visually articulate and stimulate conversation and thought around the impact consumable trash creates on our landscape, water and environment.  

This sculptural installation work will start off at Pershing Square for the inaugural March 25th & 26th, 2016 event, and move throughout the city of Los Angeles, eventually making its way to the ocean - mirroring the pathway that many discarded plastics travel.  We are staging this inaugural installation in Pershing Square as a way to start the conversation and gather support from the public before beginning the larger city wide route. 

The Global landscape has been drastically transformed since the introduction of disposable, single-use plastic containers in the early 1940’s. Each year, some 280 million metric tons of plastic are discarded globally and since plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it contaminates our food chain, threatening delicate ocean ecosystems, wildlife, and, ultimately, human health. Every bit of plastic ever created remains, to this day, in existence. 

This is the first in a series of public artworks that will focus on environmental issues by the W.A.V.E.S project.  By using public art as a mechanism to stimulate thought and provoke action, the 'Natural Plasticity' installation has a 'call to action' and educational component that will be released to the public alongside the exhibition of the work. 

Artists Cruder / LaPenta 

Jana Cruder and Matthew LaPenta are LA based fine artists exploring themes of humans relationships with the environment and with technology.  Cruder and LaPenta met in 2013, just as their creative and artistic careers were gaining steam and galleries were paying attention. It was a kismet meeting; one of inspired force. Immediately they found connections in the roots of their respective practices and started to recognize a dialogue between the two. The influence on each others work was recognized instantly. LaPenta was seduced by Cruder to explore sculpture and three-dimensional forms. Cruder was inspired by LaPenta’s observations of humanity’s relationship to technology. Ever so courageous as collaborators, Cruder and LaPenta will continue to use their individual and unique identities as artists to explore new ideas and alternative aesthetic territories in a dialogue that is equally accessible as it is challenging. Cruder and LaPenta are also deeply moved by the current state of humanity and its impact on the planet. Through their current collaborative projects, they aim to cast a spotlight that is both unforgiving and unassuming on the environmental, technological, political and social realities of today. Cruder and LaPenta hope their collective creative output will make a positive impact, not only on this generation, but the next as well.   

Artists Site http://www.cruderlapenta.com/   

Jana Cruder  http://janacruderfineart.com/

Matthew Lapenta http://www.matthewlapenta.com/

W.A.V.E.S 

World Art Vision for Environmental Sustainability

W.A.V.E.S. (World Art Vision for Environmental Sustainability) is an ongoing series of projects focused on the commissioning, creation and curating of public art pieces that highlight and support artwork based on environmental sustainability. 

Taking place in Los Angles; a city with close ties to the ocean, mountains and deserts; W.A.V.E.S projects utilize the juxtaposition of the urban landscape to ignite thought, encourage community involvement and provide outlets for inspired action through partnerships with organizations striving to make a difference.

In addressing the impact consumer and corporate behavior has upon our planet, specifically vis-a-vis disposable, non-biodegradable materials, the initial installation, Natural Plasticity, beckons viewers to evaluate their own choices and habits as far as the consumption of plastic is concerned. To change what products are manufactured and marketed, we must first create a paradigm shift amongst consumers, catalyzing a switch from careless to conscious consumption.

The W.A.V.E.S projects are being shepherded by Do Art, a non-profit organization that develops multi-disciplinary artistic projects and programs with--and for--the public to bring creative insight and inspiration to contemporary culture; Shark Allies, a non-profit conservation group striving for awareness and action toward addressing ocean oriented issues and RVCC, the creative marketing force behind the projects.