Disposable Materialism: Impermanence in a Material World

A meditation on value, impermanence, and the ecology of consumption.

Disposable Materialism is a poignant exploration by artist Randy Kart that investigates the intersections of art, environmental awareness, and the patterns of modern consumer culture. In this body of work, discarded materials are reimagined as intricate sculptures—each piece inviting viewers to reconsider their assumptions about worth, permanence, and waste.

At the heart of the project is a cyclical process of creation and deconstruction. Kart intentionally dismantles completed sculptures to give rise to new works, mirroring the regenerative potential of materials often seen as valueless. This approach becomes a quiet, yet powerful commentary on the rhythms of consumption and disposal that define our time.

Each artifact is layered with over 25 years of textures Kart has crafted and curated—from painted canvas to handmade paper, textile remnants to cardboard scraps. These physical elements are then processed through advanced machine learning and AI systems, allowing ephemeral gestures to evolve into enduring digital forms. The final works are inscribed onto the blockchain, preserving them as cultural artifacts in a decentralized archive of memory.

Disposable Materialism challenges viewers to engage with themes of materiality, mindfulness, and meaning. Through Kart’s lens, what was once overlooked becomes sacred—objects once destined for the landfill are reframed as vessels of story, history, and reflection.

This project is more than an art installation; it is a platform for dialogue and introspection. It asks: What do we discard too easily? What remains behind? And how can the remnants of our choices become a language for deeper understanding?

In a world of increasing speed and consumption, Disposable Materialism slows us down—offering a space where creativity and sustainability intersect, and where the temporary becomes timeless.