Recycled Art -- Putting the "Fun" in Functional

This radio is made entirely from beer bottle caps, a locally brewed beer can, scrap metal, wire and a resurrected radio antenna. It works perfectly and it looks great. This is just one of the many recycled items I picked up from a recent trip to South Africa. South African recycled arts and crafts are usually hand-made by people living in townships who earn their living from selling them. Each piece is unique. So when you buy these items you can be sure you're supporting a local artist, helping the environment, and bringing some color into your own home. Personally I think these souvenirs beat a sculpture of an elephant any day.

Recycled arts and crafts can be found throughout Africa. I grew up playing with these wonderful wire cars (galimotos) that functioned perfectly and were built by ingenious Malawian children. You have to look a little harder to find these gems, but it's worth it. I also like the fact that the motorbike I bought for my son was made from the can of my favorite soft-drink while I was on vacation. So it's art, a toy, and a memento.

I'm off to build a robot out of shampoo bottles....

More about recycled art....

_{Image © Michael Daecher}