Marilyn de Kleer

Roadside Artifacts is a series of artworks created from trash found primarily while cycling on the roads of California’s Santa Cruz Mountains.  Initially attracted by the colorful shards of vehicle bodies left after traumatic accidents, I soon became aware of many other objects left by those who had also traveled these roads.  Hanging an extra pannier from my bike rack, I have carried home many pounds of car and motorcycle parts – some shiny, some black and grimy –but all saturated with violence and grief.  I have also collected Mylar balloons, a domino tile, many mangled sunglasses, a guitar string, two spent chainsaw chains (still very sharp), and bottle caps – dozens of bottle caps.  I no longer climb long hills in a daze but am awakened to the lives of those with whom I share the road, by the artifacts they have left behind.