Students
Give Colorful Lesson in Sustainability |
By Lookout Staff
March 24 -- The thousands of visitors who stroll the streets
of Downtown Santa Monica every day will get a free lesson in sustainability,
thanks to the colorful student displays mounted at the Big Blue
Bus Transit Store.
Created by students from the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, the exhibit
helps “spread the messages of conservation and overall awareness of the
environment to as many of the younger generation as possible,” according
to school officials.
One of the exhibits, titled the "How to Go Green Guide," showcases
in the form of a green periodic table the many everyday objects that can be
easily recycled. The display involves actual objects reclaimed from a landfill
painted in bright and engaging colors.
The two other installations use toy cars and colorful materials spread across
a map to show the impact driving has on the environment and how public transit
can decrease pollution.
“This is the intersection of the environment, the arts and the politics
of personal choice,” said Council member Kevin McKeown, who was on hand
for a special ceremony last Wednesday.
“There’s only so much we can do to motivate people,” McKeown
said. “Through art we can inspire them to do the right thing.”
Big Blue Bus General Manager Stephanie Negriff said the exhibit illustrates
a shift in the way public transit is viewed -- from a mode of transportation
for those without cars to an alternative for motorists who want to make an environmental
difference.
“The paradigm shift is in the works, and it will be students like these
who will be the future,” Negriff said. The exhibit, she said, shows “involvement,
innovative thinking and creativity.”
Dan Dawson, customer relations manager for the Big Blue Bus, hopes the store
at 223 Broadway a half block from the popular Third Street Promenade will provide
a platform to teach motorists a new way of thinking.
"We thought the transit store would be the perfect palette for thought-provoking
and creative environmental displays as a way to engage and inspire people as
they pass by the transit store window," Dawson said.
“We wanted to offer something a little different and enticing within
the store itself to draw people in to learn more about public transit,"
said Dawson.
Participating in the project were The Art Institute of California-Los Angeles
interior design students Laura Moyer and Sara Parras, and graphic design students
Daniela Gill and Amanda Rios. Graphic design instructor Marwin Schiltz served
as lead on the project.
"Working on this project has made me realize that it's not about changing
the world, it's about changing yourself," said student participant Laura
Moyer.
"The Big Blue Bus doesn't ride around with their logo 'Go Green, Ride
Blue' because it's catchy,” she said. “They do it because they're
saying, 'We changed, how about you?'"
Said student Amanda Rios, "We can give back to the environment
more than we think. As people, we need to learn how to support the
environment rather than trash it.
“I ride the bus,” Rios said, “and although I
know a car could be more convenient, I have realized there are more
benefits by taking the bus."
Dawson said they felt it was important to get the young person's perspective
on the environmental issues facing the world today.
"We felt the students would grasp the concepts quickly, and with great
creativity and originality,” Dawson said. “We hoped to end up with
a beautiful display that told a story, and we got that and more."
The exhibit -- the first of several by Art Institute students -- -will remain
up through April.
In addition to the store windows, the Big Blue Bus has commissioned the students
to create other art projects involving animation, video and Web
designs for the Big Blue Bus Web site.
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