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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Lex Leonard
Lex Leonard Gallery
201-893-4970
JERSEY CITY ART EXHIBIT EXAMINES ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND
HELPS LAUNCH NEW PRODUCT
Bag the Habit’s reusable shopping bags are creatively presented
in an effort to
raise awareness and encourage use
Jersey
City, NJ - April 26, 2007- Bag the Habit unveils its first
reusable shopping bag in a
month-long art exhibition exploring the environmental repercussions
of common consumer
behaviors. The show will run from June 14th to July 14th at Lex Leonard
Gallery in Downtown
Jersey City (opening reception June 14th, 8PM). Along with Bag the
Habit’s signature tote, a
limited edition line of bags created by recognized artists and designers
will be for sale. The
proceeds of the latter will be donated New York City’s Gaia Institute
(www.gaia-inst.org).
Paper and plastic disposable bags are a hot topic among environmentalists,
and more
recently legislators, due to the damaging ecological effects of both
their manufacture and
disposal and the excessive rate at which they are consumed. 500 billion
to 1 trillion are used
worldwide each year, with the US responsible for an estimated 100 billion
(reusablebags.com).
The
show, titled REDUCE, highlights the impact of single-use bags
as well as other
disposables similar in method of production and volume, such as cups,
napkins and plastic
utensils. Through symbolic works, informational displays and short film,
the exhibit brings
attention to the items we habitually overuse, and often overlook, on
a daily basis.
By combining the functions of “store” and “gallery”,
the creative team (Curator Nyugen
Smith, Holly Tienken of Design Grace and Bag the Habit’s Liz Long)
hopes to promote more
thoughtful consumerism. “Helping people understand the true value
of a product is not what
conventional stores are known for”, says Smith. “We are creating
a new kind of retail model”.
Long adds, “As people accept the fundamental importance of reduction,
their buying habits
will change. They’ll avoid wasteful products and by-products and
the demand for responsible,
low-impact choices will grow. The disposable culture won’t survive.”
ABOUT
Bag the Habit was founded in the winter of 2006. A response to
ubiquitous paper and
plastic single-use bags, Bag the Habit offers stylish, reusable alternatives.
The totes will be
distributed in retail establishments throughout the tri-state area and
available online at
bagthehabit.com, starting May of 2007.
Lex
Leonard Gallery is a 1400 sq/ft space located on 143 Christopher
Columbus Drive in the
heart of Downtown Jersey City. Contemporary visual and performance artists
are frequently
showcased and painting, photography, sculpture, and graphic design workshops
are held
monthly. For more information visit lexleonardgallery.com.
SOURCE
Lex Leonard Gallery
CONTACT
Name: Nyugen Smith
Title: Curator
Email:
nes@nyugensmith.com
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