Tuesday, 26 February 2008 | Levent OZLER
Junk Mail: From Debris to Design
 As a part of its dedication to the environment, Academy of Art University has incorporated "green" and sustainable practices not only into its curriculum, but also into its facilities and services. The Academy held Junk Mail: From Debris to Design at 79 Gallery featuring a cross-section of environmental art, ranging from larger than life-size sculptures to fashion designs.
Impassioned by the goal of the Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition (BayROC) to stop junk mail, students from the Academy of Art University's fashion school, fine art school, graphic design school and industrial design school have imaginative artworks across a variety of mediums using junk mail from San Francisco mailboxes.
Two sculptures titled Crush and The Mailbox Monster evoke the waste inherent to America's vast junk mail production and distribution. MFA Sculpture students conceived Crush, a larger-than-life portrait of an individual who has the power to block junk mail. BFA Sculpture students emphasize the importance of looking beyond just recycling junk mail and propose creative, environmental solutions with The Mailbox Monster.
"These students are committed to changes for positive growth within their community, bringing their own spirit of humor and invention to a project with possible far-reaching environmental impact, above and beyond the existent requirements of their coursework," said Associate Director of Fine Art Sculpture Margaret Keelan.
The average American adult receives and disposes of approximately 41 pounds of junk mail each year. It takes 17 trees to make a ton of paper; 42% of timber harvested nationwide becomes paper pulp. The Academy of Art University's Junk Mail: From Debris to Design encourages consumers to fight back against this insidious industry.
"Academy student creations for the Stop Junk Mail Campaign provide outstanding proof of the leading role artists and designers can take in motivating people to create healthy changes to reduce consumption of and safeguard precious environmental resources," says Academy of Art University President Elisa Stephens.
San Francisco is the foundation of Academy of Art University -- its natural beauty and cultural diversity serves as constant artistic inspiration. As a way of expressing its gratitude toward the city, the Academy is dedicated to preserving its environment, enriching the community and reaching out to those in need. The Academy has been an enthusiastic leader in San Francisco's commitment to the environment and sustainability, since it was one of the founding downtown institutions to visibly support Mayor Gavin Newsom's call for energy conservation.
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