“One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure. But New York City’s garbage, well, that’s art.”
Justin Gignac Sells New York City Garbage As Cubes Of Art
This is artist Justin Gignac’s prelude to his brilliant concept in package design, NYC Garbage.
According to Gignac’s website, NYC Garbage launched in 2001 after a co-worker challenged the importance of package design.
The cubes initially sold for $10, but Gignac raised the price to $25 when people started perceiving the containers as souvenirs from New York. When he raised the price to $50-$100, people began considering the square chests of trash as art.
What began as a bet with a friend at an ad agency has turned into a mini boon for Gignac, who says on his website he has so far sold 1,300 clear lucite boxes containing nothing but authentic New York City garbage (and odorless, according to Brokelyn). One such box could contain a crumpled MetroCard, a Starbucks straw or a discarded photo.
Each box is tied to a specific locale, whether it’s Rivington or Yankee Stadium, and generally goes for $50 a box (not counting the $100 special edition box from Obama’s Inauguration).
Apart from its irreverent genius, maybe it’s a good way to really clean up the city. Thanks for buying, strange international denizens of the art world!
