Ugly Post-Consumer Junk Arranged Into Awe-Inspiring Eco-Art Sculptures

Emergence, 2008. Reclaimed black/clear plastic and white/clear plastic waste.

Gaze at the extensive collection of handcrafted sculptures carefully assembled by reclamation artist Sayaka Kajita Ganz and you'll begin to sense a change wash over you. It might be a little weird at first, but just allow yourself to go with the flow...

Deep Sea, 2007. Composed of reclaimed blue and green plastic waste.

There. Do you feel it? You've just officially boarded the rollercoaster of emotions. First stop, excitement. Second stop, awe. Third stop, unbridled joy. (Oh, and it might be wise to also anticipate liberal doses of "hot" and "bothered" thrown into the mix.)

Plunge, 2008. Composed of mostly blue, white and black plastic waste.

Of course it makes little sense. We're looking at entirely inanimate objects. Rigid cold sculptures, no less. They lack a detectable heartbeat, palpable movement and/or the existence of a soul...or do they?

Stream, 2008. Composed of reclaimed metal waste objects.

Traditionally, art is meant to stir deep emotions...and yet it is rare in this day and age that artists actually get it right. Far too many seem to take great pains to illicit reaction rather than dig under the surface to connect with that which is buried deep within our psyches.

Flare, 2009. Composed of reclaimed blue and pink plastic waste.

Ganz, on the other hand, wields great emotive power with every piece of discarded post-consumer plastic and metal that she gets her hands on. Clearly, she's no one-hit wonder. Just look at this outstanding portfolio of hers - girl knows how to wield a drill.

Wind, 2008. Composed of reclaimed white and clear plastic waste.

With every piece of reclaimed waste that she cobbles together, her mission is to recharge it with a new sense of purpose and life, stating that "the human history behind these objects" enables her to regenerate the unwanted castoffs of society into almost lifelike animal forms.

Night, 2008. Composed of reclaimed black and clear plastic waste.

Her artistic reincarnation skills trigger a flood of bona fide emotions ranging strength and intensity from "Wow!" and "Yee-hahh!" to a quiet sense of marvel and knowing admiration, for any true eco-art lover can recognize when they are experiencing something legitimately great. It just doesn't happen very often.

Fogo, 2008. Composed of reclaimed red and orange plastic waste.

While I love the concept of eco-art, the execution generally leaves a lot to be desired. Our cities - which are engulfed in more trash than we'll probably ever know what to do with - are packed to the gills with eager-beaver eco-art dreamers who sadly will never rise to the level that Ganz has.

Whirl, 2009. Composed of reclaimed stainless steel waste objects.

Her remarkable efforts lend credence to the notion that true artists are merely just born that way. If Ganz is this skilled at refurbishing a heap of junk into something that would even prompt Michaelangelo to become green with envy, just imagine what she could do with landfilled diapers or used cat litter, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Wayne, 2009. Composed of reclaimed brown and white plastic waste.

Way to go, Sayaka! I heart your eco-art!