# Grimy Gallery Exhibits The 'Swept Away: Dust, Ashes and Dirt' Show Focuses on Time and Decay By Meghan Young | Published 2012-02-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swept-away-dust-ashes-and-dirt References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669002/fleeting-and-fabulous-8-artworks-made-from-dirt-dust-and-ashes) & [collections.madmuseum.org](http://collections.madmuseum.org/html/exhibitions/551.html) Not many people can tolerate dirt and grime long enough to appreciate its artistic potential, but those in New York City will be given a rare chance to do just that thanks to the 'Swept Away: Dust, Ashes and Dirt' in Contemporary Art and Design exhibition. Curated by the [Museum of Arts and Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everlasting-plastics), this unique art show features the unkempt work of 25 artists. From [elaborate sculptures to paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kennedy-yanko), the Swept Away: Dust, Ashes, and Dirt in Contemporary Art and Design exhibition "resurrect[s] and rearrange[s] the [neglected and castoff materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/material-memory) of our daily lives, and in doing so force us to reconsider their underlying associations," according to curator David McFadden, and "heighten[s] our awareness of time, place, memory, and emotion." The show will run until August, 2012. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 78% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Dirty Art:** Exhibitions featuring dirty and grime to uncover artistic potential - **Neglected Materials:** Discovering potential in neglected, castoff materials to create art pieces - **Unconventional Art:** Exploring art in an unconventional way by going beyond traditional materials ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art and Design:** The art and design industry can benefit from discovering new, unconventional materials to create unique art pieces - **Museums:** Museums can curate unconventional exhibitions that challenge common art mediums and engage a new audience ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Industrial Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sized.md) - [Disruptive Fashion Art Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirty-looks.md) - [Life Mess-Honoring Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imperfect-home.md) - [Sculptural Design Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pure-exhibition.md) - [Futile Material Design Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/please-sit-for-an-alternate-ending.md) - [American Art Furniture Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/american-art-furniture.md) - [Artful Soil-Bending Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/el-abrazo.md) - [Perception-Challenging Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/becoming-familiar.md) - [Dark Abstracted Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-minyades-exhibition.md)