Wisdom from a garbage warrior

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
UPPER Yarra community members put a garbage warrior’s words into action with the creation of a Dr Seuss-like living sculpture.
Made entirely from recycled materials such as old chairs, car tyes and lampshades, volunteers from the Yarra Valley ECOSS arts group have been bringing to life the sculpture with the help of Warburton artist Sioux Dollman.
Yarra Valley ECOSS sustainable development co-ordinator Keith Jesse said during a visit from US garbage warrior Michael Reynolds, the group of 60-plus volunteers were inspired to think outside the sustainable square.
“The sculpture will create a ‘living organic form’ with herbs and fruits among the mosaic and ferro-cement,” Mr Jesse said.
“It looks like a wacky Dr Seuss image come to life.”
Reynolds has perfected a self-sustainable house that heats and cools itself, produces its own electricity, collects its own water, treats its own sewerage and grows its own food.
Mr Jesse said the community took a strong interest in Reynolds’ talk on “the art of zero carbon living”.
“Of particular interest was Michael’s work in adapting earth-ship construction to disaster zones such as Haiti,” Mr Jesse said.
“He talked to the idea of communities creating their own housing at very low cost, from recycled and natural materials and volunteer labour.”
During his visit to the valley on 22 February, Reynolds also joined a panel discussion with Yarra Valley landscape architect Jon Coe and local organic design architect Alvyn Williams on issues around housing for humanity – the world will need three billion homes in the next 20 years.
“Michael brought a fascinating perspective on the construction of underground, zero carbon dwellings,” Mr Jesse said.
Warburton artist Sioux Dollman will be running more recycled construction workshops at ECOSS, which will hold its Sustainable Food Fest on Saturday 30 April at the Wesburn centre.