Raw + Material = Art: Found, Scavenged and Upcycled

This unusual, fascinating, and superb collection showcases a new group of artists “redefining materials of art for the 21st century” using natural and recycled materials. An informative and richly illustrated introduction by street art expert Manco (Street Logos) opens this guide to 38 of the most imaginative international contemporary artists. Organized alphabetically, each artist’s work is displayed in brilliantly shot and splendidly produced color photographs, accompanied by a brief but revealing description of the artist and his/her methods, materials, and subject matters. Ranging from Andrés Basurto’s skulls created from glass bottles to Klaus Dauven’s “reverse graffiti,” where compositions are drawn onto buildings by selective cleaning, and Mia Pearlman’s large-scale cut paper installations of natural forms and forces, Manco shows the diversity in material, approach, and relationship to form. Though all the artists and their works are intriguing, standouts include Rosemary Fiore’s drawings created with ignited fireworks; Haroshi’s sculptures made from used skateboards; Lucas Simões’s deconstructed and reconstructed portraits; and Carolos Zuñiga’s redaction-centered works concerned with political repression and personal self-censorship. This is an inspired and inspiring collection for the general reader interested in contemporary art, as well as artists and scholars specializing in 21st-century art. (June)