Yoselin Paucar
The Arts of New York City
Professor Erin Thompson
December 8, 2015
“Art Goes Green”
The Project:
Littering has become a major concern for the last 45 years as its rise harms the
environment and increases the presence of vermin. Unfortunately, 85% of littering is caused by
human action. Many reasons have been brought upon this mishap, including the availability of a
trash bin. Nonetheless, the reason may actually be a trash can’s visibility. After all, according to
research done by Gelasca, Ebrahimi, and Tomasic (n.d), dark green attracts the least amount of
attention. My “Awesome Project” is the ultimate creation of more efficient trash cans by keeping
them fully closed to keep pests away and adding visual artistic work to their surface to make
them attractive. By having a trash can that stands out, people’s eyes will be caught,
subconsciously causing them to walk over and place their trash where it belongs.
As a pilot program, I want to start this project in one of the busiest areas in New York
City: Union Square. To decide what design will go on the trash bins, there will be a contest
opened to all public school students throughout all five boroughs. The word would be passed on
to the schools via email or fax using a promoting flyer I make myself. This process will aid in
spreading awareness of the current littering problem, encouraging the production of artwork, and
meeting our first lap of the project. The trash cans that we will be using will be the Brute 32gallon vented trash cans. With the contribution of artist Colin C. Jorgensen, most commonly
known as “Cojo,” the design will be carried out successfully onto the garbage cans. Cojo has an
extravagant background in artwork, becoming especially well known for his techniques in
graphic design. His sharp thick outline style fits perfectly for this project as it will definitely
make the trash cans stand out. Once the garbage cans are finished, they will be placed around the
perimeter of Union Square. The trash bins will aid in reducing not only littering in the park but
throughout its surrounding streets.
The Budget:
The money acquired from the Awesome Foundation will be put to use for the supplies,
the artist, and the contest winner. We will need 15 trash bins which cost about $29.97 each. The
type and amount of paint needed will be decided by Cojo but at least $150 would be needed. As
a compensation for Cojo’s artwork, $300 will be given to him. For the contest winner, the reward
will be a $50 value in art supplies, including acrylic paint, a canvas, a sketch book, and drawing
utensils.
About Me:
My name is Yoselin Paucar and I am currently a freshman at John Jay College of
Criminal Justice. I am extremely passionate about forensic science and now that I have started
my college career, I am filled with excitement. Although I always say my greatest passion is
forensic science, I’ve grown up with a drive to take care of my home, which I don’t exactly mean
the building I live in, but the Earth itself. I’ve looked for ways to what many call “go green.”
This is definitely one of them..