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Entries in Teacher Feature (16)

Friday
May202011

MEMBER / TEACHER FEATURE // Luke Schantz Plays (Almost) As Hard As He Works

 

Artist/designer Luke Schantz specializes in video, lighting, electronics and live entertainment. All of those skills come together in his work as media designer for Blue Man Group and with individual artists like Ralph Lemon and Carey Young. He's got lots to say about being both a 3rd Ward member and instructor; currently teaching MaxMSP and 3D Design for animation, with plans to teach a survey course called "Trends and Topics in the Techno-sphere." And that's only a small part of what's on his plate--which explains why he's never been out in the sun for an interval longer than 15 minutes (seriously).

Read on to find out what keeps him so happily occupied.  

3W: In what capacity do you “use” 3rd Ward?

LS: I have quite a bit of equipment, furniture and materials stuffed into less than 200-square feet of space at 3rd Ward.  It’s a collection of new and old; some functional items are almost 100 years old, including a workbench that my grandfather built as a child.  For most of my life, I haven’t had a proper studio to work in, so the past year and a half here has been amazing.  I had caches of tools, materials and ideas waiting for some time and space to work.  It has taken me months and countless trips around the tri-state to unite these parts.  And when I say "unite these parts," I mean it in the Voltron sense of "unite these parts.”

My space at 3rd Ward reflects both the practical and the symbolic. I have a lovely collection of medical devices and implements, some of which I wouldn’t want to use for an actual operation.  But just having them together as a collection alters the environment in a way that helps me really consider what’s going on with modern bio-medical advancements and the burgeoning trans-humanist culture.  People stop me in the hall and ask me about my bone setting apparatus, which creates an opportunity to talk about the engineer who designed his own heart valve, and that opens up a dialogue about transhumanism… 

3W: What have you worked on lately at 3rd Ward?

LS: Most recently, I completed an Axial Helical Mode Antenna Array.  A friend and colleague of mine, Zarah Cabanas, asked if I wanted to collaborate on a show called Time Capsules to Space.  Inspired by the Voyager spacecraft, we created a time capsule consisting of a video transmission into outer space. I knew of the "cantenna" projects for Wi-Fi and after some research figured the Axial Mode Helical Antenna Array was the way to go.

In a serendipitous set of events the same week, I met Michaela Russo, an experienced electrical engineer and technician.  She had worked on a number of development projects during the Star Wars program and on industrial microwave projects for industry. We were on a tight budget, and we had to come up with the antenna ourselves from scratch.  We used the laser cutter at NYC Resistor to cut the acrylic for the antenna masts.  We assembled them and wrapped the coils on the picnic tables in the alley at 3rd Ward.  A bunch of people from 3rd Ward helped out with fashioning the metal, wood and acrylic components.

This one is dubbed House Sparrow.  All future antenna designs will also bare the name of a passerine bird.  The project is about expression and the electromagnetic spectrum—about extending our voices as makers into the tools we use to express ourselves.  The project is going to continue, and Zarah will host more events to be broadcast.  Future iterations of the antenna will include a tripod base that can accurately aim the antenna.  Eventually, it will be nice to have the antenna on a motorized articulated mount.  

3W: What would you say inspires your work?

LS: I have my own set of idols or heros.  Nikola Tesla, Jack Parsons, Paul Feyerabend, Noam Chomsky and the contemporary futurists and life extension people are very influential to me, as well many historical figures and the ancients. I also think a lot about those people considered to be really "out there": John Lilly, Wilheim Reich, Ram Dass, Terence McKenna. 

I think that I live a very human life, but I’m just not really interested in video games, sports or going to concerts.  I take that energy and focus it on my innate interests.  I’m glad that this is what I like to do, rather than some hobby that costs too much money and offers no return.  We’re lucky if we can enjoy our work.  My future wife often comments that it’s not fair that I should be so satisfied by shopping for office supplies.  I really just like workshops, studios, labs and offices.

3W: How were you introduced to 3rd Ward?

LS: I was looking for a studio space and started asking around. A friend and colleague, Matt Werden at Blue Man Group, told me about 3rd Ward.  I called over and made an appointment to get a tour [in 2009]. At first, I was just a member, and over time, I’ve picked up classes I’m qualified to teach.

3W: Do you live nearby, or do you travel a while to get there?

LS: I live nearby.  I actually rented the apartment because of its proximity to 3rd Ward.  Sometimes I get busy with video and stage projects during the day.  So I wanted to live close to my studio.  This way I squeeze in some extra work in the morning and at night and not have the burden of a commute. 

3W: Do you feel like this place has enhanced your creativity and innovation? 

The daily interaction between artists, designers, faculty, staff and craftsmen at 3rd Ward has really expanded my skill sets and exposed me to things I might not have thought about otherwise, like TIG welding or constructing some crazy puppet.  Just by being at 3rd Ward and having your eyes open, you can't help but to learn about different disciplines. Wikipedia and Instructables are great ways to get overview of concept, but when you’re hands on, that face-to-face personal dialogue and first-hand experience is priceless.  Asking a question and getting immediate feedback is the way I learn best, especially if I need to do something complicated or dangerous, and I’ve never done it before.  3rd Ward is great because it's filled with people competent in a wide variety of disciplines; I can easily take a class or go to someone who is an expert. And there’s something to be said for sharing resources and facilities for the sake of efficiency and sustainability.

3W: What 3rd Ward events have you participated in?

LS: The MakerBot event last month was awesome.  The folks from MakerBot came and so did a bunch of users.  We set up our Makerbots in Studio B and we talked to folks about 3D printing with the Makerbot. The parties and art openings are also fun. It’s a perk to be able to work and then move right to party mode.  It’s great to have that in-house.  I certainly get exposed to more arts, music, and culture than I would if I had to make some other special effort to get out.  I work a lot.  I haven't been in the sun for more than 15 minutes since I was 15. I’m serious. Socially, it comes down to simple home field advantage; it feels like all these people are coming over to my place.  When Reggie Watts performed, I went to see his set and was back working on my project within minutes.

3W: What advice do you have for potential or new 3rd Ward members? 

LS: Clean up after yourself in the shop.  Don't horse around.  Wear safety goggles.  Pull up your sleeves up when using power tools.  Keep your long hair tied up and away from machinery.  Beware of fumes and too much PBR. 

-- Cara Cannella 

Friday
May132011

TEACHER FEATURE // Annie Novak: Urban Farmer With Serious City Gardening Tips

Interested in growing your own garden? Well, solemnly swear no one who can give you better tips than urban farmer and 3rd Ward teacher Annie Novak.

Novak runs the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm and the non-profit Growing Chefs, in addition to working with the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. "Spring is the season of seeding!" she says, and right now she's working on transplanting tomatoes and planning for summertime at the community garden plot that Growing Chefs started with Red Shed Community Garden, which is not too far from 3rd Ward.

Here are a few city gardening pointers from Novak: 

  • Invest in good soil! Buy a nice organic potting mix with no chemical fertilizers. Or make your own using coconut coir, a bit of compost, and some internet research!
  • Buy healthy plants!  Look for nice, upright plants with no roots showing on the bottom of the pot. Buy locally at the farmers' market for plants that have been grown in our growing climate. If it's a veggie, give it lots and lots of sunshine. 
  • Sow seeds wildly! If you don't have a yard or rooftop, visit a native plant center or buy native seeds, then seed bomb with abandon in open lots! Think ahead 100 years to a better city: call 311 to get a street tree planted.

The Eagle Street Rooftop Farm is located at 44 Eagle Street in Greenpoint and his open for a farm market and a chance to volunteer this coming Sunday, May 15 and Sunday, May 22 from 9am-4pm. 

For more about Annie Novak check out a great profile of her on the Urban Outfitters blog.

-- John Ruscher

Wednesday
May112011

DRINK UP // Caroline Mak's Brooklyn-Made Soda

Caroline Mak wants to get you carbonated. Mak, a former 3rd Ward teacher, and her partner Antonio Ramos, have gone and launched their very own homemade soda company, Brooklyn Soda Works. Intimidatingly donning a bachelor’s from Stanford in Biological Sciences and an M.F.A. from the University of Chicago in Sculpture and Installation, Mak's sort of a force to be reckoned with.  In addition to her newfound company, Mak's visual work is about to be displayed at two upcoming shows (more on that below),

Brooklyn Soda Works started last year, when Mak and Ramos “wanted to make the perfect ginger beer for our dark ‘n’ stormies." Mak tells us, "We didn’t have a particular passion for sodas, but just wanted to make a fizzy drink that we'd enjoy drinking and mixing with for cocktails.” So far, they've got cucumber, lime & sea salt, apple & ginger, and grapefruit, jalapeno & honey.  All are made with fresh juices (ain't no syrups here!) -- and all make us want to whip up a cocktail first thing this morning (don't judge.)

After a successful Kickstarter campaign got BSW off the ground, the two applied for a spot at the Brooklyn Flea and--unsurprisingly--got in. Now, in addition to being sold at the Flea on weekends, Brooklyn Soda Works is available on tap at Beer Table in Park Slope, 61 Local in Carroll Gardens and Untitled at the Whitney Museum. With a few limited bottles being sold at Palo Santo in Park Slope, Porsena in the East Village, and Blue Hill Manhattan.

Not a bad start, BSW.

Of her time at 3rd Ward, Mak says, “I liked the flexibility that 3rd Ward gave me in creating a syllabus. I have a diverse academic background so it was nice to know that 3rd Ward were supportive in the lecturers that they hire.” Adding, “The classes are as wide-ranging as the artists in Brooklyn are!”

And about those gallery shows of hers: both are coming up this September. Starting September 17th and running for a month, she’ll have a solo show at Gallery Aferro in Newark. Mak says, “I’ve been fascinated with the idea and process behind biological repair for a while… scabbing, bone healing, etc, and have been applying that concept to found objects.” And starting September 23rd, she’ll be transforming the hallway of the Brooklyn Arts Council into a continuous wall installation as part of the DUMBO Arts Festival.

In the meantime, put down the Four Loko and get your hands on some of that delicious-soundin' Brooklyn Soda Works bubbly.

-- Anastasia Friscia

Tuesday
May102011

TEACHER FEATURE // See Grace Bello's McSweeney's Monologue This Weekend

In a short story published on McSweeneys.com, Grace Bello, an accomplished writer and flash fiction teacher here at 3rd Ward, took A Street Car Named Desire's iconic Southern belle Blanche DuBois off the stage and plopped her in quite a comical scene: a corporate holiday party.

Now Bello's take on DuBois is headed back to the stage as part of BLOGOLOGUES: Sex, Drugs and Interwebs, an hour-long performance of blog posts and other online pieces presented by New York's Lively Productions.

"Blanche DuBois is one of the most haunting and complex characters in American theater, so I'm really excited to see my satire come to life in this show," Bello tells us. "Plus, the story was published in 2009, so I'm glad not only that the story found a home in McSweeney's but that is finding a home on the stage and continues to resonate with readers."

Lively Productions contacted Bello out of the blue asking for permission to perform the monologue. "I've actually never seen my work performed by other people," she says. That'll change this weekend, though, when she'll depend on the kindness of strangers to act out her splendid piece.

BLOGOLOGUES: Sex, Drugs and Interwebs happens this Friday, May 13 and Saturday May 14th at 8pm at Under St. Mark's (94 St. Mark's Place, between 1st and A). Find out more at livelyproductions.com and get tickets here.

All of a sudden we have the urge to shout, "STELLLLLLLLLLAAAA!"

Friday
May062011

TEACHER FEATURE // Harry Gold's Heavy Metal

This weekend, you have the opportunity to experience a range of pieces by sculptor, metalworker, and 3rd Ward instructor, Harry Gold. Start with his smaller-scale work, on display tonight at the Member Group Show from 7-10pm; then move on to his large sculptural pieces included in 3HREE, an art/music show held over three days (May 6-8) at 3 Egg Studios (79 Lorimer St) in Williamsburg.

Gold, who teaches an ongoing patina class called Metal As Canvas and has also taught Welding Techniques For Furniture & Sculpture at 3rd Ward, finds inspiration from all directions and mediums. He can pinpoint architecture, nature, people, books, and music as having the most impact on his vision, but typically, he understands his motivation to create a particular piece only long after its completion.

A few years ago, upon moving to New York from Santa Fe, New Mexico (where he was head patina specialist at a large bronze art foundry), he was so struck by our water towers that their representations starting popping up in his work. While he has the metal shop to thank for his productivity these days, “Beer in the vending machine is pretty great,” he says. Come check out the shop, and join him for a cold one.

-- Cara Cannella 

Thursday
May052011

TEACHER FEATURE // Embroidery artist & 3rd Ward instructor Iviva Olenick at the Affordable Art Fair

Looking for great art that won't break the bank? Then head to the Affordable Art Fair this week, where 3rd Ward embroidery teacher Iviva Olenick will be presenting her unique and amazing work.

The fair runs from Thursday, May 5 through Sunday, May 8 at 7 West 34th Street in Manhattan, with a preview tonight from 6-9pm.

"My 'post-its' are small-scale, hand embroidered pieces," says Olenick. "They are essentially snippets of conversations I have with myself about relationships past and present, primarily romantic, always intimate. Sometimes, they include actual dialogue, overheard, borrowed, or from my own conversations with people other than myself."

Check out more of Olenick's work on her blog, Brooklyn Love Exchange, a project sponsored by the Brooklyn Arts Council. On her way home from an opening, Olenick walked by several places that reminded her of past dating relationships. "I realized I am one of many Brooklynites with these kinds of memories and associations, and started dreaming of a way to capture other people's romantic stories connected to specific Brooklyn sites."

All work at the Affordable Art Fair is priced between $100 and $10,000. "From an artist's point of view, it is a wonderful way to have one's work seen by many different people in a very short time span," Olenick adds.

She will be represented at the fair by Cobble Hill's Muriel Guepin Gallery, which specializes in accessible and affordable art.

Want to learn how to make your own embroidery work? Sign up for one of Olenick's upcoming "Extraordinary Embroidery" workshops!
-- John Ruscher

 

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