Downtown's ‘Dumpsters’ public art project overflows with ideas

Savannah artist Marcus Kenney transforms a dumpster into a visual arts environment called “Timeline” using objects of previous existence on Forsyth Street downtown. The “Dumpsters” project, involving more than 20 artists that have been given 10 metal trash receptacles to create a work of public art, will be part of this year’s “Elevate.” The Office of Cultural Affairs’ free weeklong public art event runs Oct. 17-23. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Credit: hpousner

Credit: hpousner

Savannah artist Marcus Kenney transforms a dumpster into a visual arts environment called “Timeline” using objects of previous existence on Forsyth Street downtown. The “Dumpsters” project, involving more than 20 artists that have been given 10 metal trash receptacles to create a work of public art, will be part of this year’s “Elevate.” The Office of Cultural Affairs’ free weeklong public art event runs Oct. 17-23. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Atlanta artist Igor Korsunskiy transforms the interior of a dumpster into a contemplative space called “Allusion” at Woodruff Park. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Credit: hpousner

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Credit: hpousner

Construction dumpsters usually overflow with odd pieces of lumber, Sheetrock and cardboard, something that passers-by automatically try to edit out of their view.

But 10 of the lumbering metal containers are starting to command attention in downtown Atlanta. Instead of flotsam and jetsam of the building trade, however, they hold serious art expressions and pure whimsy, quiet reflection and interactive sound and light, eye-catching aesthetics and recycled funky stuff.

Tapping more than 20 metro artists, the Goat Farm Arts Center organized the diverse "Dumpsters" public art project as part of "Elevate 2014." The annual weeklong public art happening, staged by the city of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs, kicks off Oct. 17.

Savannah artist Marcus Kenney transforms a dumpster into a visual arts environment called “Timeline” using objects of previous existence on Forsyth Street downtown. The “Dumpsters” project, involving more than 20 artists that have been given 10 metal trash receptacles to create a work of public art, will be part of this year’s “Elevate.” The Office of Cultural Affairs’ free weeklong public art event runs Oct. 17-23. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Credit: hpousner

icon to expand image

Credit: hpousner

This year’s “Elevate” theme is “Social City,” the idea being to encourage exploration and consideration of the urban landscape.

Standing out on the northern edge of Woodruff Park and along the pedestrian-scaled streets of the historic Fairlie-Poplar District, the 10 dumpsters are within easy strolling distance of one another.

But why dumpsters to showcase art?

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