There is a lot of humor here, but look closely and the story gets deeper and darker. In the title plaques accompanying the sculptures, Leavitt shares not just the type of product boxes he used — sourced largely from a neighborhood convenience store — but how many of the items each empty box constitutes: 16,000 cigarettes smoked, 800 plastic LEGO pieces, 420 ounces of Sprite.
The materials used in “Breathe,” a gas mask replica, represent 5,200 menthol cigarettes, four gallons of Mobil oil, 200 inhaler puffs and 60 COVID tests previously held in those boxes. These mounting numbers paint a discomfiting picture of American consumerism, addiction and ill health. And we haven’t even gotten to the gun wall yet.
A pistol replica made from a Skittles box is an homage to Trayvon Martin, shot while holding a bag of the multihued candy. In honor of the Virginia Tech mass shooting victims, Leavitt crafted a Glock from Marlboro cartons (the cigarette factory is also based in Virginia).
An AR-15 made from Disney product boxes marks the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida. It’s pretty intense. And also an example of how powerful art can be when the medium is expertly matched with the message.
Trash Talking is one of the many public events officially sanctioned by the Seattle Art Fair (July 25 – 28), which for the eighth year will flood the Lumen Field Event Center with art makers, buyers and lookers. A boatload of Northwest galleries will have booths at the Fair; others are planning offsite events and exhibits.
I’ll write more about the Seattle Art Fair and concurrent shows in next week’s newsletter, so watch for my picks, and footwear suggestions (hint: sensible shoes!), for Seattle’s biggest visual art party.
