Page 22 - AHATA

Tuesday 26 sepTember 2023 locAl
A10

Episode 56: Folk Art Recycled

ORANJESTAD — Aruba for being a small Art has a role in cultural continuity and
island generates an enormous amount change. It is used to stabilize cultures by
of waste. We must realize that this entire perpetuating the convictions of the iden-
waste was once on a container as import. tity and accomplishments of individuals
Recycling is an essential action to reduce and groups.
waste that will be otherwise dumped in the By calling folk art the “art of the people?”
environment. Within this action two ap- The answer is not simple, for the subject
proaches have emerged as possible solu- is clogged with conjecture, controversy,
tions. The first is down cycling and the other and gaps in information.
upcycling. In the former, the break down Calling it native art makes it yet more con-
process is accelerated at a high cost and fusing, however both differs from primitive
hardly sustainable if not all details are fol- art.
lowed as planned and budged available The scope of folk art is extremely broad,
applied as efficient necessary. The result including the entire craft and creativity of
must benefit nature and citizen as a result the people.
of the process, while in the latter all waste Folk art is the creative expression of the
has a value that can be increased through human struggle toward civilization within
creative intervention. a particular environment through the pro-
duction of useful but aesthetic buildings
Our island waste impasse deserves a cre- and objects.
ative solution and a pragmatic interven-
tion. In our experiment with upcycling our Generally, folk art is ART that may be used
initial design led to the emergence of our every day or reserved for high ceremonial
native living lab and atelier at Westpunt ocassions; it may include handmade ele-
Aruba, known as Etnia Nativa. A project ments, as well as new, synthetic, or recy-
that incorporates recollected materials cled components.
in during every phases of its construction May be decorative or utilitarian.
process. The same was applied in the May be made for use within a community
building of artifacts furniture and artworks of practice or it may be produced for sale
which are part of the decoration, such as as a form of income and empowerment.
lamps, masks, shells and bones feathers May be learned formally or informally; folk
and seeds etc. Upcycled art or upcycling art may also be self-taught.
art is currently inspiring many artists around May include intangible forms of expres-
the world and prevents tons of garbage to sive culture like dance, song, poetry, and
reach dumping grounds. foodways
Is traditional; it reflects shared cultural aes-
Dumping must be seen and treated as thetics and social issues. It is recognized
a critical message regarding excessive that, as traditions are dynamic, traditional
consumption and environmental pollu- folk art may change over time and may
tion. Transform waste such as paper, card- include innovations in tradition.
board, wood, glass, plastics, metals and Folk art is from, by, and for the people. Folk
rubber into works of art that carries a mes- art is for all people without distinction of
sage will impact the connoisseur. The con- class, state, culture, community, ethnicity,
cept, therefore, goes beyond the conven- gender and religion.
tional recycling of materials by creating To immerse in what Aruba is all about, its
objects that exceed the economic, cultur- people, its origins, its animals and culture,
al and social value of the original product. we highly recommend you to book your
visit of our renowned cultural encounter
Transforming waste or recycle it into folk session which has been entertaining curi-
art is the creative expression of the human ous, scientist and bohemians for decades.
struggle toward civilization within a partic- Mail us at etnianativa03@gmail.com to
ular environment through the production confirm your participation. Our facilities
of useful but aesthetic buildings and ob- and activities take place close to high rise
jects in the prosess of reducing waste. hotels.q

Article by: Etnia Nativa

Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book
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Etnia Nativa is close to the high rise hotels