Monday, December 1, 2008

CANstruction Exhibit At The Winter Garden

Canstruction is an international charity competition where architects, engineers, contractors and students they mentor, compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food.

At the close of the competition all of the food from the New York City competition will be donated to City Harvest.

The Winter Garden

The 16 annual CANstruction is taking place right now, and the structures are exhibited in the Winter Garden and Courtyard Gallery of the World Financial Center, 220 Vesey Street and the West Side Highway. There are a total of 40 structures in the exhibition, and 22 structures located in the Winter Garden will be on view from November 20 – December 2, from 7am – 11pm. The 18 structures located in the Courtyard Gallery will be on view from November 20 – December 8, 9am – 5pm.

The exhibit was delightful to see! It was amazing to see the sculptures entirely made out of cans of food that you find in common use. I tried to take photos of as many of the CANstruction sculptures as I could in both the Winter Garden and the Courtyard Gallery.

Please click on to enlarge the photos to see their detail.

This entry was entitled "Dog-Gone eCANomic Crisis" and was comprised of 4,032 cans of food, such as Bumble Bee Solid White albacore Tuna Fish, and Del Monte Italian Green Beans. Yes --it's Snoopy!


This was entitled "Winning Drive" and depicts a football player driving down the filed to score a goal and win the game. The theme is the drive to end hunger one can at a time. It is composed of 2,900 cans of food, such as Goya Chick Peas, College Inn Chicken Broth, etc.

The next sculpture was entitled "We Can Do It" inspired by the famous poster by J. Howard Miller, and is composed from 6277 cans of food such as Hunts Tomato paste and Brunswick sardines.


This one is simply entitled "The Heart, " and asks us to have the heart to end hunger. It is composed of 5,200 cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce.


This entry was entitled "AmericCAN Pastime" and marked the fact that both of the New York baseball teams are building new stadiums and their old stadiums will be demolished or put to another use. They ask that the demolition of their CANstruction exhibit structure will be one act towards ending hunger. It is composed of 3236 cans Bumble Bee Boneless Salmon and Stop and Shop Chunk Light Tuna in water, among other cans of food.


This is " ReCANstruction of Persistence Of Memory." I had a hard time visualizing this effort to mimic Salvatore Dali's famous painting of watches melting onto the landscape. Can you see it? It is composed of 3,100 cans of Goya products and Amy's Low Sodium product cans.


"Souper Bowl Champs" -- the NY Giants Football team won the Super Bowl this year, and this sculpture pays homage to that with 4,704 cans of tuna, hot sauce and College Inn Chicken broth.


This one was cleverly entitled "Manhattan Clam "Chatter' " and is made with 3,326 cans of Sea Watch Chopped Sea Calms and Hunts Whole Tomatoes, among other food cans.

One of my favorites: "Can Tut," was 3,096 cans of Sacramento Tomato Juice, Polar Anchovies, and Starkist Chunk White Tuna, etc.

"Floating Away From Hunger" depicts a NYC water Taxi and is composed of 3,770 cans of pineapples, peaches, pears, black beans, etc.

"Together We CAN!" had the message that "We can make a difference in our community by helping others in need." It depicts the robots Wall-E And Eve, and is made with Hershey's Cocoa, Cafe Bustelo Coffee, and Pringles Chips among other cans of food.

This clever # 2 pencil nub is called "Erasing Hunger" and is composed of 4,378 cans of Del Monte Fruit Cocktail, Stagg Chili, Goya Organic Chick Peas, etc.

"We CAN Knock Hunger Out Of The Park" depicts the NY Mets Shea Stadium Home Rum Apple icon. It is made out of 3,361 cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce, Goya White Hominy, Parade peas, etc.

This sculpture was entitled "C CanTileVers" and is modeled after the newly constructed headquarters of the Central China Television CCTV Network in Beijing, China, with the hope that it broadcasts the end of world hunger. It is composed of 3,000 cans of Goya, Ocean Spray and Del Monte canned products.

This whimsical "Dun CAN Donate" depicts a sprinkled donut being dunked into a first cup of morning coffee. It asks New Yorkers to please give generously to food banks this holiday season. It is composed of 3,241 cans and boxes of DeCecco spaghetti, Carnation Instant Milk, Trader Joe's Black Beans, etc.

"Go To Bat Against Hunger" is 4, 400 cans of Del Monte Green Beans, carnation Instant Milk, Beach Cliff Sardines, etc, depicting a baseball stadium as seen from a center field view.

This unusual can sculpture depicts "scabby the rat" and is called "Striking Against Hunger." A big blow up rat figure is an often used symbol in NYC to shame a business who's employees are on strike, and who have hired replacement workers ("Scabs")for those who are on strike. It is composed of 3,300 cans of Tab Cola, Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, and La Costena Pinto Beans.

This open mouth shark sculpture is called "Attack On Hunger" It is 3,292 cans of Libby Vienna Sausages, Carnation Evaporated Milk, Le Seur Peas, etc.

Look close -- this one is entitled "Plight Of The Honey Bee" and depicts a bee landing on a flower. It is made out of 3, 260 cans of assorted Bumble Bee product's cans. It asks that the dwindling amount of bumble bees be addressed, as this can lead to more hunger if future fruits and vegetables are not pollinated.

"Up Up And Buffet" is composed of 3,060 cans of tuna and Bush's baked Beans! It represents America's "Can Do" spirit in the fight against hunger.

This one is entitled "The Seafarer" and is made with 3,000 various brands of tuna cans in the race against hunger.

This very symbolic sculpture of a white face and a black face joined together is called "United At Last" is made with 6,120 cans of Whole Foods Tuna, Bush's baked Beans and Bumble Bee chunk light tuna. It says: "Yes We Will -- fight hunger"
The next sculpture is in two parts . This bowl and spoon sculpture and ....

....this camera, and is called "Focus On Hunger." It is made with 4,200 cans of Shop Rite canned peaches, tuna and green beans.

Another of my favorite exhibits was this Panda bear sitting in a bamboo patch called "CANda Hunger End?" It is made with 5,525 cans of Bumble Bee Tuna, Whole Foods Tuna, Riceland Brown Rice, and Amy's Organic soup. As the Panda bear he represents is in danger from deforestation of his homeland, and the struggle of world hunger.

This somewhat political one was called "AlasCAN Bridge To Nowhere" and was made with 3, 888 cans of Chef Boyardee Beeferoni, Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut, and Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes, etc. I think that is Sarah Palin saying "hello" to the moose on the bridge.
This sculpture calls itself a "healthy" pork barrel item that will feed many.
"Give Peace a CAN-ce" is made with 3,000 Del Monte canned peaches and mixed fruit.

This beautiful swan is entitled "Swan Cantata" and is composed of an unbelievable 14,568 cans of Swanson Chicken Breast, Swanson Chicken Broth and G'day brand canned products.

This bridge was entitled "Bridging The Hunger Gap," and is made of 2, 417 cans of various brands of sardines and Le Seur canned Peas. It states that even in the United States, which is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the Department of Agriculture estimates 38 million people live in hunger or at the edge of hunger. It asks us to bridge the gap, and that those with plenty give to those with little.

This cute Mr. Potato Head figure is called " Lend A (Helping) Hand To Hunger" and is made out of 4, 236 cans of varois brands of tuna, Del Monte Vegetables, and Dole Mixed Fruit.

The next is two views of the same very imaginative sculpture.......can you guess what it depicts?

The name on the swimming cap is the big clue! It is Olympic swimming champion, 8 Gold Medal winner, Michael Phelps, and is entitled "AmeriCAN Dream." It is composed of 5, 592 cans of variopus brands of tuna and and Nestle bottled water. It proclaims that with hard work and preserverance we can win the war of hunger and help more people realize their American dream.

The last CANstruction photo I have here today is called " I Pledge Of Allegiance to help end hunger." It is made out of 1, 503 cans of Campbell's Tomato Soup, Hunts Tomato Paste, Bumble Bee Tuna, and Dole Pineapple Juice.

It salutes all who lend a hand to fight hunger by participating in CANstruction.
A poster was next to each exhibit sculpture like this one in the photo below. It included the title, the amount of cans used, the shopping list of brands used, the firm which developed the theme, the team members, and special thanks to donators.

This was such an enjoyable exhibit I almost didn't notice the sun beginnning to set out in the New York harbor, signaling it was time for me to meet my husband and go home!

I hope you enjoyed seeing it too! What was your favorite CANstruction exhibit?

Please consider contibuting to a food bank this winter and join in the fight against hunger. If we all do even a little, it can mean a lot!

32 comments:

Willow said...

Wow~ those are really amazing! The Professor and I work weekly in a food pantry, sharing out food that is donated by a local grocery chain.

Willow said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
nanatrish said...

I loved this exhibit. My favorite is the boat. People are so talented and clever. It's amazing. I know you had to have enjoyed it. I truly think you have something great to see every week in New York. Well, probably every day. I always enjoy your tours. I'd love to be tagging along.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Pat! These just blow my mind. Too amazing. I was going to choose a favorite, but I can't. And, for such a wonderful cause.

Anonymous said...

I loved the look of the doughnut one, but the message of the bee one is one which is close to my heart. The mite is killing off so many hives, so the bees need as much help as we can give them by planting bee friendly flowers in the garden. It needn't be tricky, even a single lavender bush can provide much needed help.

I think Einstein gave us 7 years without bees before humnas would die of starvation as things couldn't crop without bees as polinators.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Another cool post! I love how creative people become.

I love your new banner!

Paz

Nola said...

Wow, that is amazing. As you know, I'm a fan of baseball, so I really liked the stadium and the "AmericCAN Pastime" NY displays.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Wow! That is amazing. I loved the swan,,,,

Strider said...

Love the glassed in area. Beautiful. My high school daughter has already raided the pantry for can goods for the give away. Nice thing to do.

Kathy said...

Incredible Pat, I loved the sail-boat and Can Tut but they were all amazing, like the sandcastles, so much talent and all for a very good cause, I am not surprised you lost track of time, hugs, Kathy.

Anonymous said...

Pat that exhibition is amazing. I have never seen anything like it. I enlarged every photo. How fun and meaningful too. Thank you for sharing those wonderful photos and story. Your detailed text was very interesting.

You are in the drawing tonight. Good luck. Remember this is a six day give-a-way so come back each day. smile.

Hugs...Jeanne

Picket said...

Hey girl...what some amazing talent! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving...thanks for such great posts on your beautiful city!

Melissa Miller said...

~Wow~ That is something else. Love it! :)

Fifi Flowers said...

I've seen these before... they are ALL truly amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Proud Italian Cook said...

That is so cool Pat! I love the panda bear. Never a dull moment there in NY. So many amazing things to see! You must have a blast checking these things out!

Catherine said...

What fun and so much talent contributing to a worthy cause! Great pictures too. I feel like I was there. New York is Wonderous!

The food banks in my area are nearly empty. This is going to be a tough winter for many people.

Anonymous said...

Good morning Pat, you are the ornament winner from yesterday Congratulations. Come over and tell me which ones you would like to have. The tree is by itself as it is larger. The others are in pairs and placed together because they kind of go together. Have fun and send me your address. My e-mail is... jeav@earthlink.net.

I left out my favorite can project on my comment last night. I love them all, but the baseball stadium is awesome and next is the American flag.

Hugs...Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Amazing, and what a wonderful idea.

Unknown said...

Beautiful post Pat..I love the heart shape and these people are so creative :D

Vee said...

Those are amazing! Some we could actually see better in the smaller image without clicking to enlarge. Course, we're quite partial to the swan!

aliceinparis said...

FANTASTIC! Wow what a great idea and those sculptures are amazing. How wonderful that something so fun can be such a great fundraiser.(foodraiser) You are solucky to be so close to all these interesting events.
I have a fundraiser going on over at my blog today. Pop by and have a read:) Link to it if you'd like, It is such a great cause.You can use the pics too.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Just amazing! People need to remember that the small town food pantries are in need as well as the city pantries. You not only continue to find the most interesting things to post about, but you do it in a very artistic way. Thanks again for a great post. Now I'm sending a link for this to my daughter up at college. ♥, Susan

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

What an amazing project! Some of those sculptures are amazing...well they're all amazing...but I love the sail boat and the panda...so cool. Thanks for sharing. We always donate thru the scouts when they do their food drive.

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Oh, I saw a little snippet on the news about this the other night...I'd love to try and get down there to check it out.

I've always been a big fan of Mr. Potato Head so I'd have to say my favorite is between him and Give Peace a CANce (though, would have been funnier if it was canned peas...for Give Peas a CANce. ;-) And as a Giants' fan...well...I guess I like a lot of them!

Alexandra MacVean said...

Pat, thank you for posting this....this is SO COOL! I've never heard of this. Wow!! :)

*hugs*

Unknown said...

These exhibits are awesome! So clever and creative. I would love to see them in person, but your pictures are the next best thing!

Diane

Anonymous said...

WOW! I "can"t believe all of those amazing creations! What wonderful talent----what a worthy cause. I was taken by all of them, but Tut, the shark and the Flag were my favs! That certainly looks like it was a fun outing! Thank you for letting us be there, too! Dana

Betsy Brock said...

I think I like the sailboat the best! :) When in December is that grandbaby coming?

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

How fun, my favorite is King Tut and Snoopy--ok I can't decide they're all so good. I think the bumble bee tuna can was the most popular!

Thanks for sharing your trip to the exhibit with us.

Gabriela said...

Hello,

Loved this post! How interesting!

~ Gabriela ~

steviewren said...

Wow! I never cease to be amazed by the creativity and inventiveness of people. What types of groups made these? I would think it would have to be engineers to do and have it stay in place afterward. I love the picture of the palm trees inside the Garden. It seems like it would be a great place to go in the middle of the city. Thanks Pat!

magicpolaroid said...

hello mille fiori! luv this exhibit, amazing sculpures!
visiterò ancora il tuo blog!
ciao, Luis