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