Detritus, or the remains of broken or decayed materials, is often used in contemporary art as a way to explore ideas about consumption, waste, and environmental degradation. Many contemporary artists are interested in using found or discarded materials as a way to create new works that comment on these issues.
Some artists use detritus as a direct material for their work, incorporating discarded materials like old tires, plastic bags, or scrap metal into sculptures or installations. For example, the artist El Anatsui creates large-scale tapestries from discarded bottle caps and other found materials, while the artist Mark Bradford uses old billboards and other urban detritus to create large-scale mixed media paintings.
Other artists use detritus as a way to comment on social or political issues. For example, the artist Vik Muniz has used garbage and other waste materials to create portraits of garbage pickers in Brazil, while the artist Kara Walker has used sugar, an agricultural product that was produced by slaves, to create large-scale installations that comment on the legacy of slavery in the United States.
Overall, detritus is a popular material in contemporary art because it allows artists to create works that comment on important social and environmental issues while also creating something new and visually striking.