A team of college students have successfully delivered an arts commission from the Hotel Du Vin re-cycling wine bottles, decanters and corks into wall murals. Brighton College students created a collage wall display, including oil paintings using champagne corks instead of paint brushes. The project is supported by the Royal Society of Arts Manufacturers and Commerce to encourage students to engage with employers and demonstrate their practical skills in design, manufacturing and resource management.
RSA Fellows Nikki Bradford and Clive Bonny provided creative interpretation support and a small grant for materials. Clive says “Todays students are tomorrows architects, engineers, designers and environmental conservationists. We need to create opportunities for the next generation to show their abilities in recycling waste products and make more effective use of scarce resources. These collages should be offered as local Turner prize nominations.”
The project is part of the RSA “I CARE” initiative: Innovation Catalyst and Arts Recycling for Employability. This creates artwork using exclusively recycled materials by students of all ages and abilities in partnership with local businesses – then displayed in public areas to demonstrate successful engagement between schools and businesses. Re-cycled art embodies and celebrates community eco-awareness to preserve and conserve the environment for the future, and enhance students creative innovation and resource management abilities – key business skills.
Michael Cooper Director of Art Brighton College with 6th form students
Contacts
Clive Bonny Clive@consult-smp.com 01273 308865
Michael Cooper mcooper@brightoncollege.net 01273 704229
Laura Barnes laura.barnes@hotelduvin.com 01273 718588
The RSA combines thought leadership with social innovation to further human progress. Building on our 250 year history as a beacon for enlightenment values, we undertake influential and varied research projects and host the UK’s most ambitious free lecture series. Our work is supported by 27,000 Fellows, an international network of influencers and innovators from every field and background.