Manhattan Dumpsters Get A Makeover

Not a fan of regular graffiti? Well what about polite graffiti? In other words: cutesy street art. WWD reports that Rome-based visual artist Finley is making at least two city dumpsters less of an eyesore today (though we suppose that depends on your taste).

Right this very moment (until 6 p.m.), she's dressing up the two dumpsters with wallpaper outside of the New Museum. After that, the Pratt alum is taking her show on the road, but says she's "in talks with executives at Chelsea Sanitation Service about redesigning their dumpsters." Now we just need to bring back those pink, polka-dotted trash bags and our garbage will be so chic.

Finley welcomes copycats, and promises to "make a how-to-jazz-up-a-dumpster short film and radio show," saying: “I love when people take an idea and re-create it. That’s one of the great things about art — you can beg, borrow and steal. There are no rights or copyrights. It’s all free.” Or maybe copy some of these more functional dumpster makeovers (like the dumpster pool).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on January 8, 2010 2:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Practically Canadian

"That’s one of the great things about art — you can beg, borrow and steal. There are no rights or copyrights. It’s all free."

Sad that four years of college didn't teach her anything about intellectual property...

NannyState

I ain't throwin' my empties in no fag dumpster.

uhh

[X] Read

[X] lol

[_] Think it's any more attractive than a dumpster that doesn't look like it's been gift wrapped at a thrift store.

hunter.blatherer

Well, there was this guy who tried to make our garbage chic too:

http://www.geekologie.com/2009/04/own_a_plastic_box_of_nyc_trash.php

Wza

Graff kids in LA go in more on dumpsters than NY kids.

bklynbagel

be against decorating trash bins? are you fucking dumb?

theLtrain

If you're against graffiti because you think it's "vandalism" you should be against this too.

Alas, I'm sure plenty of Gothamists insane anti-graffiti brigade members will love this.

longacre

I am part of the anti-graffiti brigade, but this is not as damaging as someone spray painting your house or business because a.) this is modestly attractive and b.) generally dumpsters are hidden and no one cares what they look like.

If they did it to my front door, no, that would not be cool.

There are still some problems with this project:

1. I can't imagine the cugines who own these dumpsters could be pleased with their waste management assets being vandalized. Being from Rome, you'd think Mr. Finley would know something about this.

2. They're going to look like shit in a couple weeks.

hotstepper

in the past they had Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio...and this schlock is the state of art in our enlightened modern society.

spazedog00

I see your point but I also look at it this way: In the past they had beethoven, mozart and chopin and now we have ramones, beatles, and U2. My point being that it doesn't have to be fine art with all the classical rules to be able to be appreciated. I would rather see these dumpsters than normal ones.