My ex husband, quite an original himself, ran afoul of the law in rural AZ where he lives over the definition of the word “art”.
Seems that he had constructed several sculptures out of found objects and displayed them around the acreage for the enjoyment of all. But, unfortunately, not all enjoyed them and before he knew it, the county ordered him to move his exhibition of “junk”.
I got interested in the topic and found out a few things about "“junk art" sculpture AKA “found art” or “assemblage”.
It really began in the 1950’s and 60’s and, of course, the granddaddy of the art was Marcel Duchamp, who managed to gain lots of notoriety and cash from displaying urinals, etc. with his name attached.
There’s always been a problem though, it seems, with getting this work taken seriously. If it’s made from junk, it remains junk in the eyes of the public. But it’s a legit movement and some of the products are fabulous.
The more I researched, the more I found that this is a huge topic and has become quite mainstream. From the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York to the Oakland Museum in California, viewers and collectors find pleasure and amusement in this work. 
The thing I like most about it is that it’s invariably humorous, because it’s hard to be pompous when you’re using other people’s cast-offs for your grand work.
(Photo from the jar of pencils website)
3:13:48 PM 
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