the gleaned

personal collection: found cans

collector: Jeff Downer

Finding one initial treasure can lead to a lifelong search for similar items, forming a unique collection, rich in narrative, that details an expanse of time. Collector of various items, and photographer of everyday life, Jeff Downer, understands the poeticism and nuance that can exist in a found item. When it comes to found cans, there is an important element of time (you can glimpse this through his waning interest in the 90s-era found cans in the videos below), but for Jeff, the more important factor is that these discarded items are discovered, like a hidden treasure.

Gleaning as explored in Agnes Varda’s film, The Gleaners and I, explores the continued practice of modern-day gleaning, the act of collecting the unpicked, forgotten, or unworthy produce left after a harvest. We view the collecting of left-over detritus, such as old cans, or artifacts that could only exist though human industry, such as sea glass, as another form of modern-day gleaning. Scroll through the videos below to watch short vignettes of Jeff’s small but special collection of found cans.

• What memories or feelings does Jeff’s collection conjure?

• What forms of modern-day gleaning do you participate in?

Click on the link below to share your reflections and experiences on the discussion board.

➤ discuss the gleaned...

• Do you collect any found items?

• Are there items that you glean from your surrounding environment?

You are welcome to participate in our growing collection of found items displayed on the Padlet, click on the link below.

➤ collab on the Padlet

open collection: sea glass

Sea glass: a remnant of human activity; ocean pollution that the natural world slowly erodes creating irregular and softened varied shapes and colours. If you live near a beach, you are bound to find one or two pieces, if not many – some so affected by time they become hazy and spherical, others more recently began their sea journey and are bestowed with only portions of buff texture, with sharp elements still present. The more time the sea has to sculpt the object, the better. Transparent green, clear, and brown hues are common, but variants of blue are rare and wonderful finds.

If you have not already amassed a few of your own glass gems, visit the edge of a body of water to see what you can find, and contribute your findings to our evolving collection.

➤ submit to this collection

found objects collection

"A found object is a natural or man-made object, or fragment of an object, that is found (or sometimes bought) by an artist and kept because of some intrinsic interest the artist sees in it" (Tate Museum, n.d. para. 1). These objects can be treated as art themselves (such as a collection or a sculpture), or modified and assembled into a piece of art.

Exhibit your snapshots, videos, or audio of your found objects in the Padlet below.

Describe the inspiration, vision, and motivation behind this object. What drew you to the object? What was your first impression of it?

literature collection

Hahn's poem makes a strong connection between personal and found objects and identity. The objects in the poem have a sentimental and cultural significance, in which the poet hopes to embody in her own life. As you read this poem, think about the following questions and share your responses in the discussion board below:

• What was the poet searching for?

• What do you think is her dream's significance in terms of belonging, happiness, and contentment?

• What is the relationship between these objects and her own identity (or missing pieces of it)?

• Have you had a similar ethereal experience with an object in a dream or in reality? Could you describe that moment? Did it have any cultural, personal, religious, or social meaning?

• Did you possess that object, or was it found? How did the status, representation, and detail of the object influence your perception, spirits, and identity?

• Did you think anything tangible or intangible was missing from that moment? Were you in search of something? Why? How does this experience connect with your overall identity?

Click on the link below to share your responses and stories on the discussion board.

➤ discuss the gleaned...