We all have a beloved pair of jeans – but what happens to them when they rip (and not in a trendy way) or simply no longer flatter? Well, Cotton knows how to handle that all-too-familiar situation. How? Its Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, a denim-recycling initiative that upcycles denim into insulation for rebuilding efforts across the country.
Since launching ten years ago, over one million pieces of denim have been collected. And to mark that major milestone, Cotton partnered with three NYC-based artists to each create unique artwork, inspired by the program. The pieces, unveiled last night at a 170 Mercer Street gallery, will be up for auction from November 21 to December 21 on ArtMarkit.com.
Not in the Big Apple but want to check out the collaboration? Take a sneak peek below and read up on each artist’s inspiration.
Curtis Kulig
Untitled, 2016
36″ x 36″
Denim, metal, enamel, and cotton
“Inspired by pinned and patched denim jackets, I took what is typically a personal canvas for self-expression and translated it into a literal canvas emblazoned with my notable manifesto ‘Love Me’ to support the Blue Jeans Go Green™ recycling program.” – Curtis Kulig
Baron Von Fancy
Once Is Never Enough
18″ x 24″
100% cotton paper, sign paint, and spray paint
“I am very excited to be involved in the Blue Jeans Go Green™ gallery to raise awareness for recycling and upcycling denim. My piece, Once Is Never Enough, is to encourage others to recycle their denim as well and continue to be environmentally friendly.” – Gordon Stevenson, a.k.a. Baron Von Fancy
Jeremy Penn
Falling Water into Abstraction
36″ x 36″
Acrylic on denim and salvaged birch wood
“When I read the initiative of the Blue Jeans Go Green™ recycling program, I felt inspired to move out of my comfort zone of painting portraits using abstract curves. I immediately thought of legendary ‘organic architect’ Frank Lloyd Wright, who harmoniously blended his structures into their surrounding environment. I painted Falling Water, one of his most iconic pieces, on cotton denim that was mounted to salvaged birch wood.” – Jeremy Penn
The Blue Jeans Go Green™ Recycling Program Gallery will be open to the public tomorrow, Saturday, November 19, from 10AM to 6PM, at 170 Mercer Street in New York City. The event is free (just don’t forget to bring a denim contribution!).
By Susie Kostaras, Managing Editor
