Audio By Carbonatix
Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city’s creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year’s Best of Phoenix issue, we’re profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 11. Mimi Jardine.
One woman’s trash is another’s art project.
At least that’s the case for Mimi Jardine. The Phoenix artist recently won a Good ‘N Plenty Award from Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art to fund her project, The Mobile Remittance Unit, a faux government office that collects and processes litter, cleaning up communities and raising awareness about single-use plastics.
See also: Phoenix Designer Timothy Brennan: 100 Creatives
“The big project I am working on is procuring a trailer for The Office of Environmental Responsibility to become The Mobile Remittance Unit,” Jardine says of her current undertaking. “If all goes well I will be able to participate in some of the Valley’s upcoming art events by documenting and processing litter in said unit.”
But that’s not all the 51-year-old has in the works. Jardine’s also working on a sculptural piece for a show on Grand Avenue this November, in addition to her ongoing work at downtown art space Eye Lounge.
“I am beginning my third year as a member of Eye Lounge,” she says. “It’s been an invaluable experience to be able to plan and execute three solo shows that show a progression in my work. Also invaluable is the cooperative experience, where we participate in group shows and have the opportunity to curate.”
I came to Phoenix with my husband and two miniature schnauzers four-and-a-half years ago.
I make art because I am compelled by my busy brain to create.
My productivity waxes and wanes, which can be frustrating. Usually spending time in my studio gluing stuff to other stuff gives me a jumpstart. I thought it was the fact that I give myself permission to play with my encrusting projects, which allows any stress and self-doubt to evaporate, but now that I think of it, it could be the glue.
My inspiration wall is full of everything: shelves full of books of all kinds, found objects, ephemera, toys, signage, pottery, carvings, plastic figurines, statues, boxes, photos, folk art, candlesticks, leaves and twigs, and a collection of round things. Everything is wildly colorful. It makes some visitors dizzy.
I’ve learned most from observation, collaboration, and life experience.
Good work should always evoke something within the viewer; whether it is by its beauty, humor, craftsmanship, concept, or execution, that connection is
necessary.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more art criticism. Without asking questions, we make and view art in a vacuum. “What is art?” “What is an aesthetic experience?” “What is so important about this experience?” “What makes an object beautiful or important?” “How is art to be judged?” “How is a work of art produced?” Keep up the good work and add more!
See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:
100. Bill Dambrova
99. Niki Blaker
98. Jeff Slim
97. Beth May
96. Doug Bell
95. Daniel Langhans
94. Nanibaa Beck
93. Nicole Royse
92. Ib Andersen
91. Casandra Hernandez
90. Chris Reed
89. Shelby Maticic
88. Olivia Timmons
87. Courtney Price
86. Travis Mills
85. Catrina Kahler
84. Angel Castro
83. Cole Reed
82. Lisa Albinger
81. Larry Madrigal
80. Julieta Felix
79. Lauren Strohacker
78. Levi Christiansen
77. Thomas Porter
76. Carrie Leigh Hobson
75. Cody Carpenter
74. Jon Jenkins
73. Aurelie Flores
72. Michelle Ponce
71. Devin Fleenor
70. Noelle Martinez
69. Bucky Miller
68. Liliana Gomez
67. Jake Friedman
66. Clarita Lulić
65. Randy Murray
64. Mo Neuharth
63. Jeremy Hamman
62. La Muñeca
61. Kevin Goldman
60. Emily Costello
59. Kerstin Dale
58. Vara Ayanna
57. Nathaniel Lewis
56. Ruben Gonzales
55. Lisa Poje
54. Bobby Zokaites
53. Frances Smith Cohen
52. Julie Rada
51. David Miller
50. Xanthia Walker
49. Kyllan Maney
48. Cary Truelick
47. Constance McBride
46. James D. Porter
45. Allyson Boggess
44. Abigail Lynch
43. Ashley Cooper
42. Jaclyn Roessel
41. Brandon Boetto
40. Melissa Dunmore
39. Gavin Sisson
38. Rossitza Todorova
37. Monica Robles
36. Josh Kirby
35. Jesse Perry
34. Yai Cecream
33. Nathan Blackwell
32. Carley Conder
31. Ben Willis
30. Nicole Michieli
29. Brian Cresson
28. Tyson Krank
27. Mikey Estes
26. Anwar Newton
25. Sarah “Saza” Dimmick
24. Tato Caraveo
23. Jorge Torres
22. Laura Spalding Best
21. Shawnte Orion
20. Mike Olbinski
19. Christina You-Sun Park
18. Jon Arvizu
17. Anya Melkozernova
16. J.B. Snyder
15. Damon Dering
14. Rebekah Cancino
13. Liz Warren
12. Timothy Brennan
