From the Streets of Vientiane
In September 2019, I worked with a cultural group and a wine bar in Vientiane, Laos, to run an art benefit. This is how it all came about. The trash of Vientiane I lived and worked as a volunteer in Vientiane, Laos, from May to September 2019. While I was there, I selectively picked up trash from the streets, as I always do, in order to create wall sculptures. The trash in Vientiane comprises plastic, plastic and more plastic. Drink bottles, cups, straws and bags proliferate in the gutters and on the footpaths. However, amongst this real trash were some treasures. This included unusually shaped pieces of both shiny and rusted metal. I also found some interesting, though small, backing materials. These included ceramic tiles, varnished ply, metal sheeting and…