Founder of Maker Art movement featured in college gallery show.

Painter Paul Gauguin once said, “Art is either plagiarism or revolution,” but the work of local artist Mister Jalopy defies that logic by appropriating discarded consumer products and creating something spectacularly new.

The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will display some of Jalopy’s work in the exhibit “Mister Jalopy and the Maker Philosophy” from Nov. 1 to Nov. 18, 2008.

Among the whimsical pieces on display will be “The World’s Biggest iPod,” an Apple iPod wired to a classic console stereo system, and a three-wheeled bicycle that operates a home-built movie projector.

“Peter takes the best of earlier and contemporary technologies and shows us that they can work together to create new approaches to everyday challenges,” said Larry Hurst, gallery director at the college. “He directly encourages manufacturers to create products that consumers can understand and repair themselves. Although he says he is not an artist, the objects or ‘gizmos’ that he has created are certainly art.”

A self-professed “professional amateur,” Jalopy is the co-founder of the Maker Movement, a trend rapidly gaining momentum and attention that encourages consumers to fix old products and reinvent them.

Recently featured in USA Today and on NPR, Jalopy is also a regular contributor to Make Magazine and the author of the “Maker’s Bill of Rights,” which makes the case for a collaborative partnership with corporations and the consumers who purchase their products.

Jalopy’s fascination with the inner-workings behind everything is evident in his work, and rightfully so, since he has been a mechanic, welder, salesman, small business owner, graphic designer and a woodworker.

A reception for the exhibit will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The COC Art Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Visitors unable to attend during these hours are welcome to call the gallery at (661) 362-3612 to make an appointment.

For more information about the COC Art Gallery, visit www.canyons.edu <http://www.canyons.edu> .