Upcycling -- From the sublime to the ridiculous

Yesterday I visited the Bellevue Arts Museum to see shows by artists who incorporate recycled elements in their work. The two exhibits couldn't be more different. 


In "Divine Ammunition," sculptor Al Yarrow fashions churches, mosques, synagogues and religious objects out of guns, bullets and other weaponry. This  synagogue, for instance, features 4 Uzi machine guns, used by the Israeli army.

Inside is red velvet fabric with Hebrew writing in gold. The artist calls these reliquaries because they hold precious objects. Some sculptures house human bones, the remains of "San Guerro" (Saint Warrior).

Yarrow has also created large doors -- you can see a church door behind the sculpture above. There's also a door to a mosque....

 and a synagogue. 

The craftsmanship is astonishing (as my husband said, you can't even see any weld marks). And the effect is dark and very disturbing. 

So imagine the shock when I walked from this exhibit to "Future Machine," a hodgepodge of old technology and castoffs created by the art collective "Seattle Electric Coffin." It's some kind of vehicle. Here's the front.

Peer into the glowing neon yellow green interior and you'll see trophies coated with red and yellow flocking, old books, a well-worn rug, a rumpled blanket, and more. Does someone live inside?

I had to smile at the stenciling and collages on the sides of the vehicle.

Attached to the machine by a thick multi-rope umbilical cord is a trailer covered with scientific-looking gauges and screens. On one side, 3 old calculators seem important while underneath, toy horses are stacked proudly.

It's nice to know that upcycling can go from the sublime to the ridiculous, even in the same museum. If you're in the Seattle area, consider visiting the shows.