New Club: Interview with ReArt Co-President

You may have missed this stand during club rush, but this quirky club deserves a second glance. I sat down and interviewed Paul Carlson, President of ReArt.

What exactly is ReArt?

P: We take trash and turn it into art. We don’t go dumpster diving. We use things that we would throw away and “upcycle” it.

What was your inspiration for creating this club?

P: Ever since I was a kid my mom taught me to be environmentally conscious. For as long as I can remember, we donated paper towel rolls and egg cartons to my old preschool to use for crafts. We always recycle anything we can. And I reuse my lunch bags and plastic spoons until I can’t use them anymore. So one Christmas, I realized that all the nice-looking wrapping paper we were simply recycling could be used for something, anything. I decided to make a bookmark out of it, and the rest is history.

Can you give me some examples of this art?

P: Well, as I’ve said, I’ve made bookmarks, book covers, binder inserts, mostly small things. Heng-Yi and I participated in a competition and we made a sculpture last spring.

What is your role as club president?

P: My role as co-president is to direct club meetings and oversee group activities. Since we’re a completely new club the responsibilities will become more defined throughout the year.

I know that you have a big project later in the year. What is it?

P: It’s called the TrashArtist Challenge, and it’s around Earth Day. Last year was its second year, but it already has a lot of big-name sponsors, like Disneyland, Hilton Anaheim, and Time Warner Cable. It’s throughout Orange County.

Can you explain what you did last year and if you have any ideas for this year?

P: Last year our project was called “End of the Amazon” and focused on the deforestation happening in Brazil due to encroaching farms using slash-and-burn agriculture. We have some ideas for our project this year, but we have a lot of time and would like to discuss in the club.

What would you say to persuade someone to join your club?

P: I would say that it’s a lot of fun and it really makes you realize how much trash we produce every day. Plus, we accept anyone, even if you don’t think you are artistic!

Any famous reArt-ers or examples of reArt?

P: The use of trash as a medium of art is definitely still rising in our society and there are a few talented artists. I personally love the work Tim Nobel and Sue Webster, who create shadow images through piles of intricately arrange trash.

Anything else you’d like to add?

P: We hope to impact people with our club and help them to become more responsible and “green” in their daily lives.