The Coleman Center for the Arts (CCA) was pleased to welcome New Orleans artist Bob Snead for a performance of his Family Dollar General Tree. Snead’s methodical installation consists of hundreds of sculptures of common household items sold at Dollar Stores, created out of the cardboard boxes in which they are shipped. The installation pits contemporary art practice against consumerism in a whimsical investigation of contemporary object making.
The Pop Start performance took place in the former “five and dime” store in downtown York, a town home to three different dollar stores. Listening to a soundtrack of factory noises, participants joined Snead to form a human assembly line, as they used hot glue guns to affix product sections together. Rolls of toilet paper, powerade drinks and detergent bottles were assembled using Snead’s pre-made sections. Once finished, the installation creates a one to one model of dollar store merchandise, fashioned out the very consumer waste from which their likeness originated.
The event was catered by York’s own Yaweh Awolowo, who prepared a feast for participants with items from York’s various dollar stores. Known for her dedication to organic vegetarian food, Awolowo rose to the creative challenge. Visitors enjoyed black bean enchiladas, salsa, tortilla wraps and more. A good time was had by all.
The installation remains on display at Pop Start until further notice.
Bob Snead has a BA in Studio Art the College of Charleston, SC and an MFA in painting and printmaking from Yale University School of Art. He is the Executive Director of Press Stret in New Orleans and founding Director of Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston and helped form the traveling artist collective Transit Antenna. He has exhibited with Jack Tilton Gallery and Deitch Projects in New York, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, the Ogden Museum, the Contemporary Art Center of New Orleans, Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, and most recently May Gallery near his home in the upper ninth ward of New Orleans. In 2011 he was named a distinguished alumnus of the College of Charleston for his extensive work with non-profit arts organizations.
This event was made possible by funding from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Performance Network’s Visual Artist Network and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. For more information please contact the Coleman Center for the Arts at 205-392-2005.