The streets of New York are paved with…trash. About 10,000 tons of residential waste is collected daily by the NYSD. This ordinary function results in trash monuments, uncanny in scale. Staring in Harlem then traveling throughout NYC, the local community was invited to produce each site-specific installation. TRASH project bags were distributed to persons responsible for sanitation and maintenance of buildings along with directions for use on set collection days. On the day of the Maximaism the participants used the bags and the their city blocks were transformed into vivid fields of color. Each installation ended when the sanitation department picked up the trash.
The project finished with a Beach Clean Up produced by the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance and a collaborative appearance at the iconic Howl Festival held at Tompkins Square Park.
June – Sept 2008
