Trash as Material: Exhibtion Tour and Curator Talk

In collage, materials are never neutral. From how they are sourced to how they are used, the material a collage is made of shapes the story and experience of the artwork. The exhibition "Trash as Material" considers Trash as both a material and an idea and presents artwork that invites us to interrogate our relationship and thinking about it. During this event, exhibition curator and Kolaj Institute Director Ric Kasini Kadour will lead a tour of the exhibition and discuss the materials and processes artists used. 

Kadour will be joined by Erin Genrich, Environmental Education Coordinator at The Green Project, where several artists in the exhibition sourced materials for their artworks. Since 1994, The Green Project organization has promoted "a culture of creative reuse by diverting usable materials from landfills and cultivating a respect for their value." They operate a salvage store and paint recycling program in the Bywater. They wrote, "By selling used and teaching about reuse, we are able to provide affordable materials to the community, host low-cost and free workshops, keep usable goods out of the landfill and nearby waterways, preserve historic architectural pieces and educate residents about environmental issues." Genrich will speak about her experience working with the artists and the role The Green Project plays in redirecting trash in New Orleans away from landfills. 

The exhibition started on 25 October 2025. This event is the closing event for the exhibition.

ABOUT KOLAJ INSTITUTE GALLERY

The mission of Kolaj Institute is to support artists, curators, and writers who seek to study, document, and disseminate ideas that deepen our understanding of collage as a medium, a genre, a community, and a 21st century movement. We operate a number of initiatives meant to bring together community, investigate critical issues, and raise collage’s standing in the art world. Kolaj Institute’s Gallery in New Orleans presents exhibitions and connects Kolaj Institute and the artists we work with to the vibrant St. Claude Arts District. We produce 8-10 exhibitions a year and participate in Second Saturday, the neighborhood’s monthly art walk, putting the collage art, books and exhibitions in front of New Orleanians and visitors.