Inspiration

I endlessly scour the internet for inspiration. I am going to start posting artists work I love. Let me introduce Drew Degraff.

My Sophomore Class at Pratt

I currently teach a Sophomore 3-d Design (Industrial Design) course at Pratt Institute. I follow a curriculum that was set in place and developed by Rowena Reed Kostellow. When learning music, you learn notes and chords to compose melodies and music. The Pratt 3d department aims to educate its students in the basic notes and chords of three dimensional visual abstraction to compose visually designed symphonies.  This semester deals with convexity.

Rowena Reed Kostellow described the problem as follows:

"The exercise in convexity is based on organic form and undertakes an exploration in depth of the subtle and involved relationships between the axes of large forms and the expanding planes of the surfaces, and the sensitive lines of the final configuration. This experience often leads to quite beautiful sculptural forms and can help you achieve a high degree of sensitivity and control of organic volumes." "Convexity is the expression of positive volume or form pushing into negative space. (Concavity is the expression of negative space pushing into positive volume or form.) The characteristics of convexity are weight and bulk. We study convexity and concavity separately and as we learn about one, we learn about the other." "Our study of the relationship between the axis, the mass and the outline is an exploration of how the mass creates surfaces and how the surfaces result in a silhouette. It’s the opposite of defining volume the way you learned to do it in grade school. Conventionally, we define shape from the outside in by drawing the outline and filling in the space. This problem comes at it from the inside out."

Expression, patience, and visual control dominate their hands and minds. Over the course of the semester we will sketch, analyze, develop, refine, and complete in plaster one organic form.  Alongside the organic form the students will abstractly sketch(3d) in fabric with the intention of developing a soft counterpart to the plaster form. This class gives me the opportunity to bring my personal experience with fabric and form in to the classroom and give the students a crash course introduction to soft design.  I will be taking pictures throughout the semester. (There will be pictures of Karen Stone's class, she's next door!!!)

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Happy Valentines Day!!

Lenny Bacich Update

A funeral has been planned by Lenny's family.

Date: Thursday, February 18th from 7-9 pm
Location: Morisco's Funeral Home at 30-12 Astoria Blvd.

Website: http://www.moriscofuneralhome.com/

Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS364US364&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Morisco+Funeral+Home+30-12+Astoria+Boulevard+Astoria,+NY+11102&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Morisco+Funeral+Home&hnear=30-12+Astoria+Boulevard+Astoria,+NY+11102&cid=0,0,10569266748094369151&ei=UW5wS4LPM4in8Aan3P2HBg&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CD8QnwIwAA


* The family is looking for photographs to be added into a slide show
to be played.  We have set up an e-mail address to gather such media
if we could spread the word for students, friends and others to
contribute. ourlenny@gmail.com

* A CD with 2 of Lenny's favorite music artists has been requested if
someone has any suggestions.

Update: Lenny Bacich's Memorial Feb. 18th

I just received this....

please foward the following information about
lenny's family funeral to all students, staff
& faculty, that will be held on february 18th

thanks . . .


1) we, the industrial design community at pratt with our
  students faculty & staff, are in the process of planning
  a tribute memorial for lenny at pratt. we don't know the
  exact date as of yet, most likely (to allow travel from
  alumni & friends from distances beyond the new york
  metropolitan region) this tribute memorial will be
  after spring break in march or early april . . .


2) we now know that the family funeral will be held
  on thursday february 18th between 7:00-9:00 pm
  at the morisco's funeral home, 30-12 astoria blvd.
  in astoria, queens, new york (please see below,
  location information/map link) & that we are
  invited to attend this memorial with lenny's family . . .

Leonard Bacich has passed away.

My mentor, colleague,  and very good friend Lenny Bacich has past away. The details are still not certain, but from what I know it was sudden.  For those who know me, know what a positive influence he had on my life. I love him dearly and miss him already.... Plans for services have not yet been arranged, but I will post the details when I get them. For those who know my number, feel free to call me at any time. Leave comments, send in your pictures, I offer this space......

New Interview!!!!!!

Cut Magazine has just posted an interview!

Sound Experiments

I started playing the guitar from when I was about 12. I have been playing in bands with my two brothers since I was about 15......Burbis.  I got the chance to tour across country, put out several albums, meet amazing people and musicians,  and play hundreds of shows for as little as one person, to as many as several hundred. I quit the band two years ago to pursue my artwork and teaching career more seriously (regrettably at times)........Thankfully with my new computer I can record easily again. I hope to merge my music writing and artwork in the near future. To listen click here!!!!!