Running Out of Time

Through Berryfine Goods, I received a collection of broken watches, and I knew they were destined for a piece featuring some surrealist aspects. Running Out of Time showcases multiple environmental issues caused by human actions. Extinction, sea level rise, fast fashion, climate change, microplastics, overpopulation, overdevelopment and our throw-away-society. Please look closely into this piece, find the skeletal remains of extinct animals in the strata layers beneath the boardwalk, find the pots and plants made from plastics that will break down in to microplastics, look for the warning signs…they can be found in the towering wave representing sea level rise.

This piece is roughly 85-90% recycled materials. Only the glue, canvas and paint are not a recycled item.

The figures are made of watches and molding wire scraps. Surfboards are broken watch bands. Oceanfront condos are made from cassette tapes, wire, cassette tape cases, and broken chandelier pieces. Pots and plants are varied blue and green plastic pieces, a paintbrush, and mosaic tile scraps. The wave and ocean are styrofoam, plastic bags, zip lock bags, bubble wrap, molding wire scraps, plastic sheeting, and plastic produce bags. The boardwalk and fence are made from part of a rubber tire, plastic tubes, insulin caps, a zipper, and wire. The strata layers are buttons, beads, prescription medicine bottles, polyester faux flower petals, newspaper clippings, and glass pieces.

Recycled Materials Used:

25 plastic bags, 1 sheet of clear plastic, 1 zippered plastic case, 10 plastic produce bags, molding wire scraps, 12 broken watches, rubber tire, 21 cassette tapes, 9 zip lock bags, 1 broken watch band, plastic tubes, newspaper clipping, beads, medicine bottles, 4 cassette tape cases, styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, buttons, broken glass pieces, 14 insulin caps, polyester faux flowers, varied blue & green plastic, 1 paintbrush, broken chandelier, 1 plastic thread spool