Some of Us

Artist Meet & Great: Saturday, March 21, Noon – 2 pm

While Cheryl Capezzutti’s work is somewhat reminiscent of ancient totems you might find on an archeological dig, these statuesque forms are much less formidable as they are made from dryer lint, a material the artist refers to as “the overlooked fibers and debris of everyday life”.

Embedded with ticket stubs, paper clips, pet hair, bandages, and other articles that made their way through the washer into the dryer, Cheryl’s sculptures are layered with traces of daily existence that open them up for personal interpretation. As such, they explore the tension between the unexpected beauty of such a humble material as lint and the staggering volume of waste generated by modern systems of mechanization each day. Moreover, she invites us to reflect on what the by-products of our lives reveal about who we are.

As unusual as Cheryl’s choice of medium is, it should come as no surprise that her art practice extends beyond traditional galleries to include installations presented in laundromats, bringing pleasure and contemplation into the most ordinary spaces.

Capezzuti spent four years from 2000-2004 as the Artist-in-Residence at Duds-N-Suds Laundromat in Pittsburgh, where she collected stories and dryer lint from launderers during weekly art happenings in the space. The results of this community-interactive public artwork were showcased twice a year at the Party in the Laundromat which included live music, theatrical performances, puppetry and other experimental works, attended by launderers and art-lovers alike.

Many collaborative projects grew out of this wildly creative experience over the next decade including a full-length, original musical that premiered at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, a solo installation at Gallery 808 in downtown Pittsburgh and a series of giant puppets made out of dryer lint that performed around Pittsburgh for years. During this time Capezzuti also pursued other artistic projects and became well-known for her community-interactive public art works in media other than dryer lint. Most notably, she is a nationally recognized maker of giant puppets used for community-connected celebrations.

The Hoyt is collecting lint throughout the duration of the exhibit to supply Cheryl’s next project.