Heavy Metal Animals III

Once again, it is time for the most recent photos from the recycling facility. I present ... Heavy Metal Animals III!

I have found out more about the contest that gave rise to many of the sculptures I have mentioned in past posts.  "The Junque Yard Sculpture contest is held to increase recycling awareness in local communities and to showcase the talent of local college art and welding students." Though, according to the employees I have asked, the contest has been discontinued as of 2010, I see "new" pieces each time I venture downtown to dispose of my recycling, possibly from local art classes. Here are my photos of a few of them.

cat from the March 2009 Junque Yard contest

unicycle (almost), chair, and toothed creature

Some new friends

Old friends (the chain dog may be “Springer Spaniel” by Zoe Alexandra from Georgia Southwestern State University)

Rib Cage and Mounted Pachyderm Head?

a heart of steel, steampunk style

I really wish to name the artists of as many sculptures as I can, but the information I have found often has nothing but a list of the piece title and the artist, without pictures. The best find I have had so far was a gallery of contest winner photos on Facebook.  Another good source was American Recycler Newspaper; there I found mention of the 2008 contest, and have identified two of my favorite sculptures that I mentioned in Heavy Metal Animals and Heavy Metal Animals II.  Yay!

Heavy Metal Animals II

  (Sea Creature with Chain seaweed? and the ferocious steel dragon/T-rex)

     Upon my recent trip to the recycling center, I found several more metal creations destined for the scrap heap.   Most were "new", but I was glad to see that the steel dragon/dinosaur (above, right) still stood guard over the PETE plastics number 1 & 2 bins.  "No caps on bottles!  Rawr!!!"   I really like that sculpture; if any of these have the spirit of steampunk in them, it is that one.  (see Heavy Metal Animals I)   Even though I do not know what some of these creatures are this time, either, the use of materials shows creativity and a good bit of tenacity.

Without further ado, I give you Heavy Metal Animals II!

I hope to see more of these each time I take my recycling waaaaay downtown.  They make the trip even more worth it when they put a smile on my face.  May they do the same for you. =)

More info:  In January 2012, I identified several of these sculptures as having been in the Junque Yard Sculpture Contest, and found out some of their names.  The large dragon guy is named “Fenrir” by Jordan Walker, Zach Highnote, Greg Black, Leigh Ann Colley, Phylicia Corey & Robert Grissett from Georgia Southwestern State University, and won first place in the 8th annual contest.  The chain dog may be “Springer Spaniel” by Zoe Alexandra from Georgia Southwestern State University.  Please see my post with Heavy Metal Animals III to learn more, and to see photos of these sculptures when they were NEW and in a gallery.)

Steampuffin’s 1st Annual Steampunk Form & Function Design Competition

     To my surprise and delight, the president of ModVic and SteamPuffin, Bruce Rosenbaum, contacted me on Etsy and asked if I would post some information about his current Steampunk contest here on my blog. 
     Though the awe of being requested to assist with the efforts of someone so influential in the steampunk world is still making my brain tingle, here we go.

      Modvic and Steampuffin are creating a Steampunk Form and Function Design Competition in partnership with the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham MA.  There will also be a short film documentary shown – SteamFusion: How Steampunk artists infuse modern technology in Victorian homes and objects.

      They are looking for Steampunk artists who are interested in entering the competition and to possibly be featured in the documentary.   The deadline is September 5, 2010.

(The following is a direct cut-and-paste from their contest site, to communicate the requirements most accurately.)

• Entries will use primarily authentic Victorian objects, salvage items, clothing or antiques from the period of 1850s to early 1900s. Entries will creatively incorporate/infuse modern technologies and conveniences into the design of the authentic Victorian objects. All Steampunk design solutions should function and work as the designer/craftsman has intended.
• Designs can include lighting or clock solutions, but will judged based on the innovative use of the design application.
• Steampunk Design solution designed and produced by the person/Team submitting the entry (not purchased from others or made from a kit).
• Submit only actual work; not designs in process.

 Entries will be judged based on the following:

1. Creative use/modification of primarily authentic Victorian objects, salvage items, clothing or antiques as the basis (skin) for housing modern technology. Invention may also include recycled items to promote environmentally-friendly reuse designs
2.  Innovative re-use of the original purpose of the object or new use of the object
3. Seamless blending of the old item and new technology leading to a feeling of ‘permanence’ to the Steampunk technology design solution
4. Use of cutting edge technologies within the Steampunk design
5. Possibility of reversing the design process for future designers to incorporate new technologies into the Victorian objects in the future

Prizes include: 1^st  Place - $1,000, 2^nd Place - $500, 3^rd Place - $250, Honorable Mention $100 and People’s Choice.  Also – ‘Steamies’ awards will be given to the winners.

The entry fee is $25 per item entered into the contest, with an additional $25 per item late fee for items submitted after September 5, 2010.

The main contest flyer is on SteamPuffin.  You can go to the "More Information" site page to learn how and where to submit entries. 

"All Steampunk design projects will be exhibited at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham MA from October 22, 2010 to May 10, 2011.  In addition, all chosen design solutions will be available for online viewing and sale on www.steampuffin.com."

      Please pass a link to this post or to the contest itself to any steampunk artist you know who might be interested.   Good luck to all who enter!  It is sure to be an amazing collection of fascinating pieces.

~ DS

Heavy Metal Animals

When I took my bottles and cans to the household waste recycling center last week, I discovered a cache of metal animal sculptures. They are probably slated for destruction, so I wanted to get some pictures. The "fur" of the dog on the bottom left is made from chains, and the body of the one on the upper right is made from metal mesh. If I had a place to put it, I would totally make an offer on the dragon/dinosaur. As for the rest of the pieces, I am not sure what a couple of them are, but I am sure they are heavy. Talk about your up-cycled artwork....
(edit: as of January 2012, many of these pieces remain mostly intact at the recycling facility.  These pieces are from the Annual Junque Yard Sculpture Contest. Please see my post Heavy Metal Animals III to learn more about them.)