source: momaps1org

While marketing drives demand and justifies the over-production of consumer electronics, I create sculptural landscapes and video installations from the circuit boards left behind in the wake of obsolescence. The majority of this material would be in landfills or contaminating our ecosystem from the recycling of precious metals and other natural resources. This Problem of global environmental pollution vs. economically viable technological evolution is becoming progressively compounded as the industry continues to capitalize on and exhaust Eastern markets, which is combined with accelerated technological advancements, to lower price and increase product turnover. A sustainable and cost-effective e-waste management solution seems insurmountable as we continue to refine our virtual existence in lieu of appreciating our actual existence.

Bio/Resume
Mark Stafford was born in Anchorage, Alaska in 1978. He received a BFA from the School of Art, University of Arizona (2002), and an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (2005). In 2008, he was awarded a fellowship at the AIM Program of the Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY. His artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally at venues such as Exit Art, NY; Black and White Gallery//Chelsea, NY; The Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA; The 7th wierkliets Biennal in Germany, The National Library of Buenos AIres, Argentina and the Songzhuang Art Museum in Bejing China. Stafford’s third solo exhibition will be hosted at Grace Exhibition space in Brooklyn this coming September 2010. The artist lives and works in Brooklyn, NY and is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Pratt Institute, Parsons The New School of Design and School of Visual Arts. The artist lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.