Landfill Harmonic Viola
Musical instrument/Functional sculpture • Don Cola (instrument maker) for the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura
Style & Movement
Contemporary Folk Art / Social Practice Art / Upcycled Art
Medium & Technique
Found object assemblage; construction using a discarded metal paint container, a kitchen fork, recycled wood, and assorted hardware
Creation Period
2011
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 26 x 9 x 4 inches; Vertical/Object format
Subject Description
A functional viola created from waste materials. The body is formed from a flattened and shaped metal paint can, the tailpiece is made from a silver-toned fork, and the neck and peghead are carved from scrap wood. It symbolizes hope, ingenuity, and the transformation of poverty into art.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (as intended). The piece shows inherent wear, oxidation, and scratches consistent with the 'found object' nature of the materials.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $10,000 (Based on historical/social significance rather than raw materials)
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $7,000
Provenance History
Created in Cateura, Bañado Sur, Paraguay; Gift in honor of Alejandra Amarilla and Landfill Harmonic; Currently held in a museum collection (The Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix).
Art Historical Significance
Representing a global icon of social change, this instrument is a primary artifact of the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura. It challenges traditional notions of high art and music by proving that cultural beauty can emerge from extreme environmental and economic hardship.
Notable Features
The use of a fork as a tailpiece and the visible 'Cimentado' (cement/industrial) branding on the paint can; includes documented association with the 'Landfill Harmonic' documentary project.
Condition Issues
Visible surface corrosion on metal components, paint loss on the body (inherent to the original container), and varied wood grain texture on the neck.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with low humidity to prevent persistent metal oxidation; use UV-filtered lighting to preserve remaining paint pigments on the can.