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
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
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
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Herzfeld Foundation
Reliance Controls
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Art Bridges
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Jim Harris
Sharon and Tom Harty
Lise Iwon
J. Jeffers & Co.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors
Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Andis Foundation
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Butcher & Barrel/Amos Los Tacos
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Tony and Andrea Hauser
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
The Prairie School
Cathy Stanghellin
Georgiana Treivush
Twin Disc, Inc.
