Polymorphic Plastic Parade July 6, 2009

“Polymorphic Plastic Parade” is a 5-week tour, traveling in a bus that operates on waste vegetable oil, created by IAN GAMBLE AND SARAH WITT. The tour will be stopping at 10 urban and rural outdoor locations around the United States to set up a temporary tipi village, which will be free and open to the public. The tipis are made with salvaged and renewable resources. The tipi covers are sewn from discarded plastic lumber tarps. The skeleton is constructed from locally harvested bamboo, an
invasive species.

In this exhibit, one of the waste byproducts from contemporary housing development, woven polyethylene, is recontextualized as useful material. The salvaging of these tarps, which are typically seen as waste, parallels the traditional Plains Indians’ approach to the buffalo. The cultural appropriation of tipis venerates the Native Americans’ respectful method of living, in which resources are efficiently employed. The juxtaposition of modern waste materials with the humble iconic structure of the tipi will encourage visitors to contemplate issues of excess and sustainability in present times.

Join us to camp out at the future Federal courthouse site at Republic Square Park, 5th and San Antonio on July 6 & 7. There will be a community meal and additional programming.

http://www.plasticparade.org/basecamp1/

Contact Randy to volunteer.

Official Website: http://www.austingreenart.org/2009/06/campout-downtown-july-6-7/