Matt Eskuche
Agristocracy (detail), 2010
Glass
Photography: Alexander Evans

Matt Eskuche: Agristocracy

August 6, 2010 – July 24, 2011
Windows on Fifth Gallery

Impressed by the global impact of consumerism on economies, environments, and land and humanitarian rights, Eskuche has used flameworked glass, paper, cardboard and other materials to create soda bottles, fast food packaging, and other items commonly seen as nothing more than “trash.” He recognizes and plays off of the idea that he is recreating objects of mass production out of an unexpected material, by hand and with great labor and skill. In addition, Eskuche studies the design and structure of food packaging and theoretically explores how those factors contribute to how we respond to the products and their aesthetic.

For his Windows on Fifth installation, Eskuche has expanded the scale and scope of his work—not only assembling the most grandiose tableaux of his trash glass yet, he is also exaggerating details of individual objects and turning them into large-scale compositions of paint, plastic, and light. With this new element of his work, Eskuche challenges how we understand the role of “consumer waste” in our lives—finding beauty in unexpected places and encouraging us to consider the complex web that links preciousness, luxury, consumption, politics, and the environment.

More About the Exhibition

Press Room

Matt Eskuche: Agristocracy

August 6, 2010 – July 24, 2011
Windows on Fifth Gallery
Matt Eskuche
Agristocracy (detail), 2010
Glass
Photography: Alexander Evans

Impressed by the global impact of consumerism on economies, environments, and land and humanitarian rights, Eskuche has used flameworked glass, paper, cardboard and other materials to create soda bottles, fast food packaging, and other items commonly seen as nothing more than “trash.” He recognizes and plays off of the idea that he is recreating objects of mass production out of an unexpected material, by hand and with great labor and skill. In addition, Eskuche studies the design and structure of food packaging and theoretically explores how those factors contribute to how we respond to the products and their aesthetic.

For his Windows on Fifth installation, Eskuche has expanded the scale and scope of his work—not only assembling the most grandiose tableaux of his trash glass yet, he is also exaggerating details of individual objects and turning them into large-scale compositions of paint, plastic, and light. With this new element of his work, Eskuche challenges how we understand the role of “consumer waste” in our lives—finding beauty in unexpected places and encouraging us to consider the complex web that links preciousness, luxury, consumption, politics, and the environment.

More About the Exhibition

Press Room

Gallery of Work

Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:

Platinum Sponsors

The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Racine Community Foundation logo
Barbara Waldman
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Sponsors

City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation

Gold Sponsors

Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.

Wisconsin Arts Board 50th Anniversary Logo

Silver Sponsors

Anonymous
Baird
Beta Diagnostic Labs
A.C. Buhler Family
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Jim Harris
Sharon and Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon

Bronze Sponsors

Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Susan Boland
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
Norbell Foundation
Cathy Stanghellini
Twin Disc

Media Sponsor

Radio Milwaukee logo

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