“I don’t like to throw things away, but I also have the ability to end chapters of my life.” Helmut Lang
Creative destruction is a process through which something new brings about the end of whatever existed before it. There is something about it as an economic term that makes me uncomfortable. In his current reinvention as artist, the designer Helmut Lang recycles articles and artifacts from his life and through the various processes he applies to his materials, strips away past associations and creates something completely new yet retains the essence of the old. It is still somehow vaguely recognizable. Lang’s work makes me think of a more satisfying descriptor than creative destruction: creative recycling. In Friday’s post I will tell you more about Lang’s current exhibition at the Sperone Westwater Gallery here in New York City. Today I want to talk about my neighborhood and creative recycling.
The retaining of the old but reconfigured into something never seen before, the use of materials that somehow have the imprint of history on them, is somehow more surprising and exciting to me than something completely new. In my neighborhood you can always hear music, murals are on buildings on every block and tapestries are woven into fences surrounding abandoned lots. Music and art are the DNA, or the essence of my neighborhood.
In my life I have always been drawn to the edges and that includes where I have lived. There is something so dynamic, yet at times sadly tragic in changing neighborhoods. The creative destruction in these spaces does not often retain the richness of the histories and cultures that they have displaced, despite economic progress. There is much creative destruction going on where I live right now, but there is also some creative recycling because of vibrantly strong community organizations with long and deep historical roots which allows them to be nimble with a constantly evolving mission that has adapted to change. The pictures in this post were taken at a formerly abandoned public school in my neighborhood. The reinvented space now contains 89 units of affordable live/work housing for artists and their families with 3,000 square feet available for a resident gallery in addition to 10,000 square feet of non-residential space for arts and cultural organizations on the ground floor and lower level. It serves the community by creating permanently affordable housing for resident artists in a neighborhood at risk of gentrification.
In a situation like this, there is often something to be gained by everyone. I will gain from the rich artistic and cultural production that will emerge from a space where artists do not have to worry about survival and have the freedom as I do to create. These sorts of initiatives create sustainability for long term residents and offer something to the new ones. There are implications here for fashion and the young versus old conversation. Marketing to an older market does not have to be at the expense of devaluing the young. Some brands like Dolce and Gabbana and Lanvin have responded by giving us intergenerational campaigns this season. They make me happy.
It is wonderful to hear what is going on in your neighborhood. Thanks so much for sharing this. It almost makes me want to pick up and move to NYC, to experience this sort of creative ferment! But I hope I am contributing to cultural renewal in my own small way where I am.
There are of course positives and negatives to all of it but I always try to find the place where there is some empowerment to be found. I would love to hear more about your contributions to creative renewal.
Oh, how fabulous to hear about this building! One gets so sick of bad news, it’s good to be reminded that such projects do exist as well. Love your outfit, the tunic looks fascinating.
There are of course positives and negatives to all of it but I always try to find the place where there is some empowerment to be found. I would love to hear more about your contributions to creative renewal.
Thanks, I do have a tendency to find the good and empowering aspects of even the bleakest situations, while remaining realistic of course!
Oh, how fabulous to hear about this building! One gets so sick of bad news, it’s good to be reminded that such projects do exist as well. Love your outfit, the tunic looks fascinating.
Thanks, I do have a tendency to find the good and empowering aspects of even the bleakest situations, while remaining realistic of course!
I tend to buy the best I can when I can afford it (often in sales) and have them reconfigured by a good dressmaker. I have resurrected an 80s leather jacket and several Armani items.
I would love to see a post with that leather jacket! Are there some in your archives?
It’s inspiring, especially because in NYC there are more than enough vacant buildings to house every homeless person and family but owners are holding out for developers. This was a real coup for this community.
I love what you’re wearing here. I also dislike the term "creative destruction," especially when used in business/economic terms as it usually means people losing their jobs. So neat to hear about the creative re-use of that building space!
I would love to see a post with that leather jacket! Are there some in your archives?
It’s inspiring, especially because in NYC there are more than enough vacant buildings to house every homeless person and family but owners are holding out for developers. This was a real coup for this community.
Love the new post my darling sis…you amaze me!!!
You are my inspiration my dear, would never have done this without you being the trailblazer. In a post soon my dear readers you will get to meet my phenomenal sister, mother, businesswoman, wife, personal trainer, marathon runner, baker of cool cakes, charity organizer, caregiver, and gorgeous.
I enjoy inter generational campaigns as well. Women are all pertinent and valuable. We need not exclude one group to celebrate another.
I buy very few clothes. I consider myself more of a collector than an acquirer. Of course my "collection" doesn’t hold a candle to yours!
You are my inspiration my dear, would never have done this without you being the trailblazer. In a post soon my dear readers you will get to meet my phenomenal sister, mother, businesswoman, wife, personal trainer, marathon runner, baker of cool cakes, charity organizer, caregiver, and gorgeous.
I love the notion of collector. I feel the same way and since I buy many of my clothes in vintage and consignment stores I do feel a certain satisfaction when I acquire a piece. Some of the beautiful stores in NYC are actually like art galleries!
I suppose a bit of creative destruction would be taking vintage items and altering them for today. I’ve done that with a few pieces I’ve picked up at estate sales. Turned a dress into a skirt etc. Although I must admit that my heart weeps a bit when I cut into vintage fabric or change the style of a vintage outfit. Better that though than it adding to the heaps of garbage in the world.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Indeed! Creative recycling is also sustainable which offers real appeal for me every time I look at my grand daughters face.
I suppose a bit of creative destruction would be taking vintage items and altering them for today. I’ve done that with a few pieces I’ve picked up at estate sales. Turned a dress into a skirt etc. Although I must admit that my heart weeps a bit when I cut into vintage fabric or change the style of a vintage outfit. Better that though than it adding to the heaps of garbage in the world.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Indeed! Creative recycling is also sustainable which offers real appeal for me every time I look at my grand daughters face.
I recycle by buying 99% of my fashion at the local charity shops; I alter or add where needed…
I love the notion of collector. I feel the same way and since I buy many of my clothes in vintage and consignment stores I do feel a certain satisfaction when I acquire a piece. Some of the beautiful stores in NYC are actually like art galleries!
I love the whole process of going to the shops and looking and that moment when you find just the perfect item. Thanks for following and taking the time to comment.
I recycle by buying 99% of my fashion at the local charity shops; I alter or add where needed…
I love the whole process of going to the shops and looking and that moment when you find just the perfect item. Thanks for following and taking the time to comment.