Obsolete tech transformed into art

Of all the available New Year’s resolutions, going green in 2013 is certainly an admirable one. But if you’re not sure where to start, take a cue from British artist Nick Gentry, who specializes in recycling and reusing obsolete media — in this case, the floppy disk — to create the kind of art that’s both innovative and inspirational.

Gentry’s portraits are the result of strategically placed disks and oil paint over a large wood surface. Through this artistic repurposing, he not only succeeds in utilizing an unusual medium to achieve a desired visual effect, but also makes a social statement: namely, that while technology is evolving at breakneck speed, its remnants still hold use and value.

So the next time you’re about to toss those DVD-RWs or an outdated smart phone, think again — you may be holding the beginnings of an aesthetic wonder, and the makings of a green resolution.

What uses have you found for obsolete technology? Do you still have any floppies? Let us know in the comments.