everydaytrash

City of Systems: Waste Removal

Leila Darabi — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:34:18 +0000

Urban Omnibus, a project of the Architectural League of New York, has a fantastic series of blog posts and videos out called City of Systems. The final chapter, Waste Removal, came out two months ago, though I hadn’t seen it until today. Thanks, Annie, for posting it to the the Facebook page. The video features an interview with trashie icon Elizabeth Royte, who gives a brief history of solid waste management in New York and shares what motivated her to write Garbage Land, a must-read for anyone interested in trash. Back in 2007, Royte was the first author in a week-long series of author interviews we featured here called Literary Trash. Check out that interview here. Might be time to revive the theme.

Upcycled delight

Leila Darabi — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:59:43 +0000

Photo credit: My friend Anna

Like many New Yorkers, I’ve been fighting off a nasty cold for what seems like forever. The other day I ventured out for soup at Born Thai where the food is actually spicy (unlike most places in my neighborhood) and where the menus are adorably upcycled CD ROM cases. Tom yummy in my tummy.

The Waste of the World

Leila Darabi — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:13:39 +0000

What up, trashies?! Happy (belated) new year! Apologies for light posting in late 2011. Fear not, we’re back with some great stories about garbage and recycling in the works. First up: The Waste of the World is a five-year study funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council. Unlike most research projects, which culminate in sleepy peer-reviewed journal submissions, this crew is putting on a multimedia art show called Everything Must Go.

Here’s the flyer description:

Everything Must Go follows the journeys of worn clothing as it is sold for reuse and recycling across the world. This exhibition brings invisible global waste economies into public view, explores the people involved and the impact these businesses have upon their lives, and questions our ability to control, contain and curtail waste.

The exhibition will feature a film, photos, workshops and a textile installation. Londoners can check out the event at the Bargehouse Friday 20–Sunday 22 January, 11–6pm. Free admission.

Bobo-Dioulasso

Leila Darabi — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:12:54 +0000

Le vieux quartier

Ouagadougou

Leila Darabi — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:09:54 +0000

Nescafe cans and flip flops

Dakar

Leila Darabi — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:07:10 +0000

Market, Centre Ville

Dakar

Leila Darabi — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:38:21 +0000

Slave House at Gorée Island

San Man Legacy

Leila Darabi — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:30:59 +0000

I got all excited when I downloaded the latest Moth podcast this morning and read the description: “A young man struggles with his role in the family sanitation business.” Luckily, this week’s installment lived fully up to those inflated expectations. It’s a sweet New York story and well worth a listen. Thank you, Terence Mickey, for brightening my morning commute. The outro references a novel in the works called The Gleaners. Trashtastic title, can’t wait!

Beirut the Fantastic

Leila Darabi — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:27:17 +0000

Beirut-based architect Sandra Rishani keeps a blog of her visions of what the city could be. Beirut the Fantastic posts outline proposals for upgrading and greening forgotten and unused spaces or places that have not reached their full potential. Her latest post focuses on the rubble of the 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel and how that rubble could be used to create a beautiful seaside memorial.

Before

After

What I love about the blog is that Rishani writes about what are ostensibly pipe dream projects, but breaks them down step by practical step. In this case, for example, she goes into the history of the rubble, who dumped it where, current legal ownership of the materials and examples from around the world of war rubble upcycled into public parks and memorials.

Thanks for the tip, Lucy!

Be Good or Be Gone

Leila Darabi — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:50:35 +0000

A gorgeous installation of faceted glass windows created by artist Duke Riley may now be seen at the Beach 98th Street A/S stop in the Rockaways.

Tugboat hauling a recycling barge.

Check out the full photoset on Facebook and the artist’s site for details on the symbolism, process and realization of this project.

The MTA drawings consist of several symbols local to the Rockaways. The left side of one diptych shows two images of a Piping Plover – an endangered bird that has chosen a section of beach at the Rockaways, just a few blocks south of the 90th Street station as one of its few remaining nesting grounds. The nautical flags spell out the popular phrase “Be Good or Be Gone” which can be seen behind the doors of several pubs and restaurants in the neighborhood. I am using the phrase as a reminder for visitors to take care and appreciate the fragile environment of the area.

This is a wonderful reminder of all the magical places the NYC Subway system can take you. Thanks for the tip, Gillian! Field trip anyone?