MAKING A MUSEUM: Materializing Regimes of Value with the NYC Department of Sanitation

Trash, so often taken for granted, is an incredibly powerful, vast collection of the remnants of everyday human life. But because such a large percentage of it will never simply disappear, both individuals and municipal entities must collectively develop resourceful new ways of transforming into something else. The very definition of garbage-that it is unwanted, often toxic and no longer useful-makes it difficult to conceptualize that it can and often does have a second life cycle. Recycling is one of the more obvious ways that we deal with trash, but there is much more to recycling than simply sorting paper, plastics and metals. The slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” means many things to many people, and necessitates creative practical application on in order to positively impact the way the public thinks about trash and the way it is managed.

This is my transcription of the last few minutes of Mierle's talk based on my notes. There is a quote towards the end that I really like and maybe we could use as a starting point for the introductory label, perhaps not as a direct quote, but as a basic idea, using the organic nature of the city as a body to explain the importance of DSNY. Just an idea... Please post comments if I made mistakes in the names/references, and if you noted something else.

Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett
Mierle Ukeles
Ben Miller
Tony Gill
Samantha MacBride
Tal Halpern
Jennifer W?

Throughout the semester we have asked our guests what ideas and elements they think are important to include in a Department of Sanitation Museum. Should we think about ways to gather feedback from our exhibit as well?

We could create a feedback “sheet” with questions that are specific to each portion of the exhibit, as well as an area for open feedback.

Or we could have questions at each board?

The pictures of the space show tables (I am not sure if they are going to stay or not), which would provide a space for people to exchange ideas as well as write their responses.

Do you think an exhibit response portion should be included? I am not sure if there are any concerns that need to be addressed regarding the gathering of this type of information (the way we have forms for the archiving etc), but if people respond anonymously it seems like a good way to get feedback.

Class will meet in our exhibition space this coming Wednesday at 6:00. The address is 136 West 20th Street, on the south side of the street between 6th and 7th Avenues. It's a two-story white brick building. I'm not sure if we'll go in the front or in the side entrance, but we'll need to all go in together, so it's especially important that you arrive on time.

The space is still raw, kind of, so this is a chance to stretch our thinking. Let's see what kind of brainstorming brilliance we can come up with to add to the plans we already have.

Dear All -
Here are digital copies of our panels for your perusal. We will dedicate time in class this evening to edit as we need to turn this around by tomorrow so I wanted to give you all as much time as possible to check them out.
I think that they are starting to look really good!
Bring ideas to discuss....
See you later,

Haidy

So I've been thinking about the idea to have some trash cans in our exhibition space. If we want, it would be pretty easy to upgrade the trash cans from a simple decoration to a modest exhibition. Let me explain: from what I understand, every household is required to have a regulation trash can. (And then two regulation recycling cans.) But where are these purchased? How long has this rule been in effect? Why are the regulation cans made the way they are? What did regulation cans look like before their current incarnation? How did cans differ from era to era? When did regulation cans go into effect? What sort of cans were used before the regulation cans?

We discovered much wonderful booty from the Material for the Arts (MFTA) last week. For those of you who've never heard of it, MFTA collects all kinds of stuff that would otherwise be thrown out, mostly from manufacturers and retailers who find themselves with excess (false eyelashes, bolts of cloth, electrical supplies, furniture) on their hands. The donor gets a tax write-off, while MFTA redistributes the treasures to arts and educational organizations. We gleaned our display cases through them, and also the sculptural details that we'll put on top of the lockers.

Sandra had a particularly productive visit. She found a new friend:

Is there a way to post a schedule for when folks will be in the space installing for the next 2 days? I know many of us would like to help, but it would be helpful to know when the space will be open and maybe what is left to do. Thanks!

And check out our first press coverage:
http://ny.metro.us/metro/local/article/A_museum_for_city_sanitation/11066.html