MILAN, NY—Can recycled bottles really be an inspiration for art? It can if you’re artist David Borenstein who has devoted much of his life to sustainability and energy conservation. When he was asked to participate in a traveling Art show which highlights Hudson Valley wineries, Borenstein visited the Robibero Family Vineyards in New Paltz looking for ideas.

"Believe it or not," said Borenstein, "the first time I was there I picked up a discarded Poland Spring bottle and I crushed it, to show the trick--how they are now designed to be crushed. When you put a few of those bottles together, they resemble a cluster of grapes!"

In order to be creative with these bottles, Borenstein first had to collect them. He visited his alma mater, Bard College, which has a significant recycling setup. He climbed into the dumpsters picking out bottles and used the experience to firm up his vision. He experimented with the bottles--filling them with paint, bracing them to wood, hanging them in antique soda bottle boxes-–until he had created a whole series of pieces that represent who he is. David Borenstein is an artist and an architect who recognizes the beauty of recycling and reusing materials. He is inspired by weight and texture as well as by shape, form, balance, and color. While his point of view is obvious in his sculpture and his wall pieces, it is also evidenced in his commitment to building houses for sustainable living.

Borenstein is currently building a community of LEED certified houses in Milan, NY that are eligible for a 5 star energy rating--with lifetime shingles, low maintenance siding, geothermal options, reclaimed water, oriented passive solar, and broad overhangs calculated to keep the structure cool in the heat of summer. His buildings are thoughtfully designed with cross ventilation and maximum use of space. His participation in this year-long celebration, "A Grand Exhibition of Hudson Valley Art and Wine," presented by Hudson Valley Wine Magazine is an extension of what he stands for. His one man show at the Robibero Family Vineyards, opening on October 15, 2011 is a chance to see this unique and talented artist expressing his belief in sustainable living through the use of Poland Spring bottles. "I guess you can say it’s an eco-minded meeting between the Robibero winery and Monet!" jokes Borenstein. "Abstract art does take a certain level of daring." For more information on David Borenstein and to see photographic samples of the new work that will be in his show, click on this link: http://www.borensteinartwork.com/index-slides.html?folio=&gallery=Recent%20Work%20--%20Reclaimed%20Assemblage or call Lisa Dudley, (845) 758-0021 extension 1.

Source: David Borenstein