Sunday, September 12, 1999
Trash now art with a message
Front yard evokes varied reactions
BY ANGELA T. KOENIG
Enquirer contributor
To artist Paul Thie of Westwood, most anything has the potential to be art — even trash, the medium he's chosen for a yard-art project that has some his neighbors bewildered but inspired.
“I've only seen one person shake their head, and it seemed to be more out of confusion,” said Mr. Thie, whose Werk Road lawn has become his canvas.
An avid runner, Mr. Thie, 43, has been picking up objects on his weekly runs for years. He recently decided to pass an environmentally conscious message along to his neighbors through art.
Medium is message
The majority of the trash went straight into the garbage can, but certain things caught the artist's eye. The result: free-form sculptures made from toys, aluminum cans, plastic cups, pots, pans and hangers.
“Most of the stuff has been hit at least once or twice so that makes it more interesting,” Mr. Thie said, allowing that “people probably think I'm nuts.”
Far from it, said Adrienne Davenport, who lives a few houses down from Mr. Thie.
“Maybe this will encourage people to pitch in a little bit,” Mrs. Davenport said. She really didn't know what the objects were at first, but soon realized they were statements about cleaning up the neighborhood. She said she's observed Mr. Thie doing that long before the yard art came to be.
“It's a neat statement. It just shows his community-mindedness,” said Mrs. Davenport.
Although the medium and the canvas are departures for Mr. Thie, whose 25-year career as an exhibiting artist has taken his works to galleries all over the country, he said a social consciousness has been evolving into his works over time.
“I've really gotten to the point where I think art has to make a positive social stand,” he said. He now keeps lists — with snippets like “make something special out of not very much” and “use no new materials” — to promote creativity without waste.
He also promotes art, both unconventional and traditional, to children. He oversees the Picture Person program at St. Catharine of Siena School, where his son, Rad, 13, is enrolled. Last year, Mr. Thie and another artist, Tina Wenke of Westwood, organized the school's first art fair. The Thies' 16-year-old daughter, Paige attends Mother of Mercy High School and co-chairs the art club there.
“Paul's interested in art that's part of everybody's everyday life,” said his wife, Donna. She said she likes the yard art and the message it sends.
Reactions vary
Lately, both said, the family has spent many a night in the living room — where three picture windows face Werk Road — trying to judge people's reactions. More often than not, walkers will stop in front of the house and do a double take.
“It triggers different things for different people,” Mrs. Thie said.
Like most who see the yard art for the first time, neighbor Alan Runkel said his first response was, “What is it?” Now that he knows what it is, he said, “It's amazing how trash, when well placed, can look.”
Just how large it will grow depends on how well received it continues to be, said Mr. Thie.
“Right now everybody kind of likes it. It's all been very positive, so it makes me want to continue on.”
Rhodes at 90
Working to keep the good name of Sabin
Patrols zero in on I-275
Drivers' dispute on I-275 ends in two-car crash, two hurt
Habitat for Humanity builds homes, confidence
House changed mother's life
Waco's ashes still smolder
GOP plays hardball and strikes out
Lawmakers snub urban schools
Little blessings grow, thanks to reproductive center
'Sopranos' may be an offer the Emmys can't refuse
Kiesewetter's picks for Emmys
Concert bands play on
Foundation concerts honor Russian bandleader
List of Tristate concert bands
Cincinnati's notable music men (and one dog)
123 pounds later, friend celebrates new life
Clooney sings at NY cabaret
Coney Island to turn Celtic for two days
Fitton becoming model center for community arts
GET TO IT
Handicapped parking is difficult to qualify for
Kool Keith's wild show a thrill while it lasted
Skyline serves fine helping of local tunes
'Skyline Time' adds spice to oldies
This 'Nothing' has everything
Kenton County Fiscal Court must choose jail site
Allen to move quietly on settlement
Appeal targets 3-strike law
Bunning: Now is time for tax cut
CityFest celebrates Monroe's growth
'Hope VI' development plans stall
Judge's new bench on easier street
Mother Nature retakes coliseum land
Sculptor chisels legacy in limestone
Survivor's advice: Get prostate exam
Trash now art with a message
TRISTATE DIGEST
Trustee wants Clearcreek to keep rural feel
Walton residents eat, greet at fest
