Page 21 - the NOISE April 2014

Bouquet by Susan Wilcox, another regular at the Recycled Art Show, is this year featuring her skill at the ancient art of origami.
different kind of atmosphere. It’s not ... rev- erent.”
In 2012, Artist Coalition of Flagstaff Executive Director Mike Frankel, and fel- low ACF members Tom Williams and John Rogers created The Mars Kaleidosphere, an interactive, sculpture created out of recycled materials (and now on permanent display at the Lowell Observatory) in commemo- ration of the 10-year anniversary of the ACF & City of Flagstaff’s Recycled Art Exhibition. This year, Mr. Frankel celebrates his own 10- year anniversary of being on the ACF board and being involved in the Recycled Art Show, and moving it from its longtime location at Coconino Center for the Arts to a new loca- tion at the Hozhoni Gallery.
“The Recycled Art Show really educates people to the uses of discarded items,” says Mr. Frankel. “And how found items, trash, can be transformed into a work of art. It gives me a lot of joy to see artists have a germ of an idea one year because they were inspired by something in the show, and to see them execute it the following year. We get artwork from all walks of life — professional artists, people that never thought to do art, from 11- year olds to 80-year olds. We have art made of drier lint, wood, industrial objects, metal that has been recycled from cars and appli- ances ... you name it. We never know from year to year what to expect, but it’s always diverse.”
An independent panel of judges made up of artists, community members, educa- tors, and government officials give out eight awards in categories, amongst them, best in show, most creative, most elegant, best use of materials, and most humorous.
Artists are asked to sign up immediately, but don’t need to declare or submit their piece until the morning of April 21. Submis- sions must contain 80% recycled and/or re- used materials. The show runs April 26-May 24 in its new location at the Hozhoni Gal-
lery, 2133 N. Walgreen Boulevard in Flagstaff, with an opening reception will be held Sat- urday, April 26 from 6-9PM. For more infor- mation visit flagstaff-arts.org
THE BUZZ GROWS LOUDER BY JOEY BONO
The buzz of the hive grows louder as the Big Zona Burlesque gathers the nectar to build out the honeycomb that is to be the Big Show. The collective has swelled to ap- proximately 40 busy troupe members and contributors, and has the town sticky with anticipation. The Hive is made up of a myriad of singers, dancers, musicians, personalities and puppet-masters that draw from numer- ous genres both individually and collectively, then meld it into an unforgettable, bloom- ing performance.
“It’s going to blow your mind,” booms “Margeaux Beatrix” (Karen Koestner), one
of the troupe’s primary facilitators. The per- formance troupe has culminated over nearly a year and a half; blending interactive genres such as vaudeville, burlesque, and dance to create a group that can pull off a big show that’s a resounding success.
Alternate personas are rooted in the BZB troupe and these personas have been known to morph and take on a life of their own. Slipping into character comes natural- ly: while at the day gig, out and about town or, dare say, with a lover. Developing new talents and trying on new personas has en- abled many members to foster many a side project, though the overall creative force is fortified by the collective energy stemming from the hive.
Initially, BZB had a traveling troupe feel, with vaudeville style pop-up stages at lo- cal brewery Mother Road last summer, fol- lowed by this winter’s whimsical costume parties at Firecreek Coffee Company, all the while illustrating their capacity to stage performances in a variety of venues. Now,
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thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news • APRIL 2014 • 21