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Junkyard Glass: Turning Trash into Treasure
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- Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti
- Category: Art and Photography Art and Photography
As the sound of a diesel engine starts up the opening video of a kickstarter project called Turning Trash into Treasure, we are introduced to glass artist Gary Genetti who is showing us a novel technology drawing on recycled glass. He shares with us his vision for a more sustainable future: turning junked glass into functional household objects like bowls of various sizes, mirrors, clocks, lighting fixtures and whatever else your imagination can think up, design, and create. Even jewelry, which his wife, Mena Messina, is starting to do with their two daughters.
The idea of a resource like glass that can be sourced locally and repurposed almost anywhere in the world is a big part of the vision. Genetti calls it “Activist Art. Art that changes the world. Art that can be done on a small scale that grows and expands.”
He adds, “It’s also about sustaining myself and my family and to be able to do it in a way that is a model for others. It’s a project with a low tech approach resulting in a beautiful object. Hence the slogan turning trash into treasure.”
Did you know there was an estimated 12-15 million tons of the type of glass found in commercial buildings, automobiles, and residences that ends up in landfills each year? “As a glassmaker, I knew that there was so much glass that is wasted. “Tempered glass cannot be cut or reconfigured in any way. It can only be shattered and re- melted.” says Genetti.
With the help of his family, he begins his project by carrying the tempered glass off premises from junkyards or receiving donations from local residents. In his studio, we see the process of how recycled glass is turned into objects. He calls it ‘upcycling’ - turning a waste material into a valuable object.
At the studio the glass is broken into tiny pieces and then collected into a bucket, washed and dried. Then it is plated on a circular window glass which has been edged, placed into a kiln and baked at temperatures above 1400 Farenheit. “One part of the sustainability side of the project is that we use 20% wind energy to heat the kiln.”
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It’s a seemingly simple process, like baking cookies. The end result: A unique set of functional objects. Like many good ideas, however, the path to simplicity is strewn in a maze of twists and turns bringing together Genetti’s years of ingenuity as a glass artist fused with his consciousness about living in and creating a more sustainable planet, together with the challenge of presenting a glass enterprise that has commercial possibilities.
In the quest to commercialize, this simple act becomes more complicated.
“The problem with glass is that it’s a cheap resource and it’s not an environmental hazard,” says Genetti. So the first issue we have to confront is the low demand for an easy and cheap resource. It begs the question: Is it worth recycling?
Another obstacle that hampers Genetti is the fact that it has never been done commercially. It’s considered undoable because there is no infrastructure to receive the materials from landfills and junkyards except to go out and collect it oneself.
So if there was an assignment to do a large scale project, like to fulfill an order to supply the lighting fixtures for the newest sky scraper or hotel that is being erected, it would be hard to project the accessibility of the quantity of recycled glass needed to be collected and processed..
Another complication is whittling down all of the potential objects of creation that lend themselves to more commercial appeal. Genetti’s background has been as an artist, not an industrial designer focused on producing functional objects that have mass appeal.
Finally, finding the inroads for where the products will sell creates another set of challenges. Genetti, who has a background in working trade and craft shows, has had very little experience selling ideas to department stores and home supply chains, where it might be essential to get these products to market on a larger scale.
Despite the hurdles, Genetti marches on, recognizing the steep challenges ahead of him. “My vision for it is to create a business model that would employ returning veterans. The project would be a metaphor for a shattered life fused together. If a lot of people fed into the idea and it blossomed into a bigger possibility, why couldn’t this scenario materialize?”
On the day I visited Genetti, he was getting ready to put another batch of glass into his kiln. “This glass came from a ceramics maker. She and her husband have closed their business and are planning on moving out of the area. They gave me an old shower door.”
Recently Genetti has been commissioned to do several pieces, as he has cultivated a good client list over the years who are still interested in his work. Although it hasn’t always been easy, he admits that he has been fortunate to do what he has always loved. “I’ve been doing what I love and have been lucky enough to make a living at it. When has there been a time when it was easy for an artist?”
“We’ll see how this project goes. The next trade show is the buyer’s market in Philadelphia. That will be the proof of whether this is going to fly or not. If it doesn’t, we move on. There is too much investment in time. The show is branding itself as American made and crafted products with a broad based market.”
As I was preparing to leave, Genetti handed me a beautiful bowl made from this recycled glass. “They make great holiday gifts,” says Genetti. We are having a holiday sale. Come on over and invite your friends.”
Film Review: Gravity
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- Written by Ronen Divon Ronen Divon
- Category: Film and TV Film and TV
Gravity is a Sci-Fi thriller, co-written, co-produced, co-edited and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The film depicts the fictional fallout of a space mission gone bad, as the surviving astronauts from a damaged Space Shuttle try to hang on for dear life and make it back home.
Gravity's cinematography and special effects are quite stunning, with the striking backdrop of Earth playing as an important role as any of the cast. Yet, ultimately Gravity is the story of Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock,) a Mission Specialist for whom the ordeal serves as a second chance at a life she already gave up on long before she left Earth. The trials of her survival serve as a sort or rebirth, filled yet not overladen with symbolism, including the womb of the Space Station and the emergence from water to land.
Bullock and Clooney have good chemistry together, with Bullock in the main role demonstrating yet again her capabilities in delivering a dramatic performance. Cuarón directs his brainchild film with a steady hand, making mostly good choices while playing tribute to some of the more notable past space dramas. Occasionally there is a slip-up in pacing, a little heavier than needed hand on melodrama, and a sense of a missing bigger picture in this dance of space debris, high and low tech equipment, as well as floating objects including tears, fire and everyday knickknacks. Yet all in all Gravity is one of the more impressive films of 2013.
Ronen Divon is an entrepreneur, writer, owner of Monroe Yoga and Tai Chi, filmmaker and the film critic at www.ronenrecommends.com. His film reviews are short and entertaining. To read more reviews by Ronen, click here
Elaine Sgambati: Master Artist and Teacher
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- Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti
- Category: Art and Photography Art and Photography
In 2011 Elaine Sgambati moved to Warwick, NY, where she opened Sgambati Fine Art Gallery and Art School, which is now offering oil painting classes for adults and children 8 and over. From a very early age, Elaine exhibited artistic ability, coming from a family of musicians, artists and designers while showing an innate talent for art.
At 21 she took her first oil painting class at the Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood , NJ, discovering that she wanted to paint in the medium of oil. At the institute she studied still life, floral, landscape, seascape and portrait paintings from master teachers like Arthur Maynard and Frank Giovinazzo.
Four years later she was asked to join their faculty and taught adult and teenage classes for the next 17 years, where she would also reside with her family. Later she moved to Vernon, NJ for a short period of time and then to the Jersey shore, first teaching at the Ocean County Artists Guild while she was operating her own art school, Riverview Art School and Gallery in Island Heights, NJ.
Why Is History so Important to our Community?
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- Written by Richard W. Hull, Ph.D Richard W. Hull, Ph.D
- Category: Education Education
Naturally I am pleased and deeply honored to receive this Citizen of the Year Award. But I feel especially honored that it comes from a community organization that for many years has given its time, energy, and financial resources to building a stronger community and when I speak of ‘community’ I’m referring not only to Warwick but to the literally hundreds of communities regionally, nationally, and globally that are the beneficiaries of Rotarian generosity and vision.
Since its founding in 1905 the Rotary Club has grown to include chapters in nearly every nation on earth and includes more than 1.2 million members. I’ve given lectures to Rotarians in our country and in many countries of Africa and I can say that these good people are among the world’s most effective ambassadors of peace and goodwill. By their example of outreach we in Warwick have come to think locally and to act globally and to see ourselves as citizens of both the United States and of the wider community of nations.
Meet John Malatras: Promoting Good Health and Nutrition
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- Written by George L. Nitti George L. Nitti
- Category: Health & Spirit Health & Spirit
How long have you been in business?
We are going on our 17th year. I can hardly believe it. Nearly two decades, which puts it into a different perspective.
What has your focus been?
We believe the focus has to be on helping people with natural medicines and food. We started this not as a prospect for making money but rather setting a store up coinciding with a healing philosophy.
Why did you choose to go into this field?
When I was a teenager I decided that this is the sort of thing that I wanted to do. Diet, exercise, taking care of myself. I started body building when I was twelve. I was interested in nutrition – at an early age – in the late sixties.
What do you think is the hardest part of running a health food store?
Trying to educate people about what to look for in a good supplement. So much of it is deceptive. Few companies abide by great practices. We fine tune it and explain to people what to look for. It’s very involved. There is a whole slew of issues that you have to look at in order to develop a confidence for a product. Gaia herbs – I know what their philosophy is and they are a great company. New Chapter and Pure Synergy also produce great products.
Is there a product, supplement, vitamin or herb that you believe everyone should be taking?
Fish Oil. We are not a fish eating culture. We are missing out on Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which is the building block for almost any health issue. Pro-biotics is becoming a buzz word in the industry. It’s justified considering our heavy antibiotic usage.
As a health food professional, I’m sure you are critical of the American diet and the health problems that have ensued as a result. Are there any particular gripes that you have?
We need to become fully aware of our food, our food sources and what is being done to grow and propagate our food. We really need to become more fully aware. We take it for granted that if it is for sale it must be good for us. We are all consumers and we need to develop a heightened awareness about the quality of our food.
By the time we are fifty, we have consumed 50 to 70 tons of food. Sooner or later there is going to be a breakdown in our health.
The role of food and the environment is of great importance in degenerative diseases. Metabolic syndrome or meat sources – pastereur fed vs. corporate beef – mega farms - corn fed beef. There is more to it than just isolating a food group. Mediterranean diet is a perfect example. You have to look at the whole picture. For some people a vegetarian diet works well and for others it doesn’t. It becomes a matter of balance.
What kind of protein suggestions do you have when eating breakfast?
Free range eggs, plant based proteins based off of sprouted quinoa and amaranth, a good quality whey protein, cottage cheese because it has active culture, and greek yogurt, which is high in protein.
Processed cheeses we would avoid – commercial brands need to be looked at. The origins should be organic. Cheeses like that have a lot of saturated fats and need to be balanced with unsaturated fats like flaxseed oil and fish oil.
Oatmeal is good for controlling cholesterol. Oatmeal with walnuts or almonds and blueberries on top are a great choice. The caloric density of the nuts help and blueberries fill out the oats with a higher caloric value as well. A bowl of oatmeal with lecithin, nuts and blueberries, with almond milk and a whey protein drink or a plant protein drink is a great and healthy combination.
What books or videos would you recommend on the subject?
There are so many of them and many are repeated. This is really fundamental: Eat organic food, become aware of the pesticide dirty foods, eat fermented food everyday like kimchi, miso, sauerkraut,, yogurt, kefir anything cultured with acidophilous – two to three servings. It all starts with the gut system, use the spice herbs in your kitchen, and consult my handout on all of the other dietary considerations.
Final thoughts?
As a general rule never skip a meal. It doesn’t help with weight loss.
Eat fermented foods like Kimchi. The theory is interesting. We are fermentation tanks. We have more microbial stuff than cells – they outnumber us and so anything that we eat that is not fermented needs to be fermented by us. Everything that is fermented gives us energy and grows good bacterial colonies, which has a large part to due with your immune response. The excessive use of antibiotics leaves you in a lurch and with no reserve of good bacteria. Thus antbiotics need to be followed by fermented food. We are way too indulgent with antibiotics and need to indulge more in using probiotics.
For more information about Harvest Moon Health and Nutrition, located at 22 Marshall Hill Rd. in West Milford, visit their website.
The Complementary Paths of Hatha Yoga and the Martial Arts
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- Written by Patty Cook Patty Cook
- Category: Health & Spirit Health & Spirit
If you ask anyone what the most popular fitness activities are in America today, hatha yoga and the martial arts will probably rank high on the list. Rather than adversarial pursuits, these two mainstream ideologies have much in common. According to recent studies, both disciplines engage roughly 20 million practitioners in the United States and the evidence suggests that the trends are growing. From small towns to large cities, yoga studios and martial arts schools are familiar fixtures on both street corners and strip malls. Doctors recommend yoga for stress relief and workplaces offer classes to their employees while the study of martial arts is seen as a way to learn self-defense and boost confidence for both children and adults.
How did these two ancient yet complimentary disciplines with roots in Asian culture become mainstream physical and spiritual enrichment activities in modern American life? Not surprisingly, if you study the historic progress of both disciplines, you will find that they had their beginnings largely at the same time, and their paths of development are intertwined. The third son of a Brahman Indian king, Zen patriarch, Bodhidharma is credited with initiating a program of exercises and drills that he taught to the shaolin monks. These techniques were imparted with the hope of strengthening the monks’ ability to concentrate during meditation while preserving the spiritual harmony required in monastic life. Considered the Father of yoga, another mystical figure, Sri Patanjali Maharishi, is believed to be the author of the famous treatise, The Yoga Sutras, which remain one of the most influential spiritual writings in yogic practice today.
Read more: The Complementary Paths of Hatha Yoga and the Martial Arts