HUGUENOT STREET HABITAT SUDIO , New Paltz NY

Ustya Tarnawsky is currently in residence here , late into August

This is a wonderful spot on a sunny day ,very cool . Remember to bring a picnic as there are a number of wonderful tables close by .

SMILE , AYESHA IS BACK ON MAIN !!

For those of you who missed that beacon on Main , just passed the other light on Main and 32 , Ayesha is back . So bring your best smile and choose a new work of hers. Those of you who might have lost more than a smile and would like a rendition of that missing item or even mood , Molly Rausch will be at Main St this Saturday to close her Lost and Found Booth . So final requests must be in by Saturday evening. 

For those of you who didn't get  a chance to SMILE and choose an artwork , Ayesha will be at the Main St Habitat Studio until the END of August. 

Patti Nelson is settling in at the Old Main Circle on the SUNY Campus. She will be there for a 3 week term. She is exploring aspects of Shelter . Found material that might be repurposed for a use that implies possible habitat. With in her exploration of taking the studio structure apart and reinventing it with other material she is examining our concepts about class , heirarchy

and  economics . An interesting project with regard to recent articles about Dharavi , Mumbai

slum , and their Gov't 's wish to go hi-rise and relocate as something "Modern and Progressive"

This also touched a chord with Mercedes Cecilia who was at the same studio . Growing up in Peru she commented that the habitat structures were similar to ones being lived in there. We 

forget that a vast amount of the earths population live in simple dwellings . For those interested in taking a side ways look at this topic I'd like to refer you to the Slumdwellers website. 

And not far removed from this topic is the site in NYC , which is wearing well but has definitely seen other uses . The lock had disappeared but there were no signs of other activity . There seems to be a tendency for the homeless in this area  to seek shelter with in the structures of the park near by. But issues of shelter are closer to home than we like to think about!

Todd Betterly will be taking up residency in the studio at 23rd St at SOLAR 1 this Monday August 17th . He'll be thinking up a variety of ways to engage with both passers by and with the structure itself. This will be new territory for him as he has been engaged in the applied arts and has a wish to return to a less commercial orientated creative process, after a time away.

Stay posted for his accounts and experiences at this Studio Habitat.

I'm going to try and get to some of those images that have been gathering electronic dust in the camera , so I hope to return with some new images of studios past but not forgotten.

Take care , and stay dry ( you forget it's August )    SD 

ECOTONES and TRANSITION ZONES EXHIBIT

I was up in New Paltz yesterday seeing how the project was going.  Brian Wallace,the museum curator , reminded me that the current show "Ecotones and Transition Zones" at the Dorsky Museum at SUNY NP will be closing SEPTEMBER 6th .

A provocative show when juxtaposed to the many Hudson River painting shows going on up and down the valley ,( Hudson) ,  now celebrating a 400th anniversary of said explorer bumping up the river in 1609 . 

It stands out as it reflects the diversity of work being produced , conceptualized , created in the region now in a variety of medium. What many forget is that many works of the original school were produced in traditional studio practices not outdoors and usually back in NYC. Many times actually from a photo format . Today NYC has become a safe haven to live in .Having been made habitable by artists converting work to studio/work spaces into living spaces many artists have been unable to continue living and working in the city. We'll see if this trend abates

in the current economic climate ?  

As city rents rose the valley and it's many rivertowns became the new destination  for artists to head for. Many major towns up and down the valley now have many  artists working in them. Beacon with the initial focus on it through the location of the Dia Museum attracted a larger proportion of artists to it. Larger towns such as Poughkeepsie attracted many artists who needed more industrial spaces and had it had a variety of empty commercial space available.

At this point in time there are a considerable number of artists who have made their residence and place of work , their studios , in the valley. A far greater  number of artists produce work in the Hudson Valley than a 100 years ago, yet this is not reflected in the number of  exhibitions celebrating the 400 year anniversary.  The valley for many reasons has attracted artists to it and especially now not only due to economic necessity . There has been a continued reevaluation of the natural splendour of this river region with the significant growth of the environmental movements , started over 40 years ago close to West Point .  Prevailed upon by pioneers such as Pete Seeger and the Clearwater crew. 

But artists though inspired by their surroundings  are not merely mirrors to that landscape to day . There is a cultural phenomena which is quietly occurring which is not about galleries and the relocation of exhibition space to the area but an influx of working artists into an area that for many years had lost its soul. And that loss was not solely a regional phenomena . 

Artists today are engaged in many forms of creative expression . And given the number or lack there of of exhibitions that are reflecting this shift it behooves you as an interested member in your community , having probably relocated here for similar reasons , to engage in seeing the diversity of work being made in the region . The current show up until SEPTMEBER 6TH  is 

more significant in this "QUAD" year.  There are 22 artists whose works were selected to be apart of this show this year . (out of a submission of over 100 artists) All applicants live in the Hudson Valley region.

And when you're there pick up the gallery guide.. its well written and informative . I'll also point you to some of the captions that were added by the curator in a wonderful twist of putting museum objects in this case art work into context. This is an opportunity to take in the work in a new way which is not always bothered with in most exhibition /gallery settings .

Remember todays events are tomorrow's history , were you apart of it ?

LOST and FOUND

For those in New Paltz this weekend . DO and it is the village's Art Loop 3rd Saturday this week, drop by the Habitat Studio on Main St (next to the Restaurant 36 Main, good stop for Brunch Lunch or Dinner plans !) .Molly Rausch will be there to take in your requests of objects you've lost, in return and by way of your description she mails you back a drawing of the lost object .She's had a great response from people and alot of anonymous requests so we are respecting peoples privacy in responding to those personal items which aren't for public consumption .

During the week Ayesha Ibrahim is continuing her Art for A Smile so be sure to wear your best face, unless you happen to have lost it in which we'll refer you to Molly's Lost and Found and she might be able to draw it for you , but be sure to desribe your BEST face !!

Up on campus check on the progress by Patti Nelson , at The Old Main Circle of Plattekill St ,....
Old SUNY entrance , follow the construction fencing . And whilst you are there take a path through the campus to visit the Ecotones Show at The Dorsky Museum and another Inspired habitat studio inside . Micahel Asbills piece is a must see along with Tom Sarratonios painter's paintings tucked away in a corner .

Finally to cap the day off end up at HHS ....Historical Huguenot Street and if you are riding the bike trail drop in and have a sandwich near the fourth habitat studio in the Cedar grove by the picnic tables. Ustya Tarnawsky has been working there having been on site about a week now .

I am off to visit the studio on the East River,tomorrow . Meeting up with an artist who wants to use the studio at SOLAR1 . Other artists do stop by the SOLAR1 office if you want a riverside studio for a short time residency. STRICTLY no living WORK in only ! ENQUIRE within ,.......

Next week I have to see how the gardens grow in Philadelphia at the Habitat studio/potting shed at SCEE. Off Hagys Mill Rd . Part of Amy Liptons curated show "Down to Earth " with several other environmental , greenfingered artists. Check out Amy's blog at ecoartspace (see link). AND save the date SEPTEMBER 12TH for the Reception for this show , if you survive the opening festivities down the road at Abington Art Center in Jenkintown the previous evening.

Planning ahead do SAVE the date SEPTEMBER 24TH there is a panel discussion at the museum , The Dorsky at SUNY New Paltz is host to several artists from the habitat project and myself , with ecoartspace curator Amy Lipton . Details still to be announced .We hope to have a very special moderator for the panel discussion so more to follow . Thursday evening at 7pm .

Please tune back soon I am anticipating some cool stuff in New Paltz , including

*..a possible Solar component to the campus studio by Michael Otis's Engineering class

*... how green can we make the habitat studios by leeds in training architect Joe Thompson

*... Michael Asbill is concocting a creative term at one of the Habitat studios in September

*.... Mercedes Cecilia hopes to be in residence in the Museum habitat in September

*.... A recent SUNY alumni , artist Chris Manning is going to stage an install at a studio habitat.

*... There might be a short residency by Marnie Hillsley , originator of the Poets Walk Habitat !

*.... A final got to go tag sale most likely at Main St of collected items which were found and now
we want to part with , for a small donation to the project . This item still has to be talked over with the other members and a date fixed.....

Meanwhile enjoy the cooler weather today and bask in the August heat til the thunder showers come. I am now up and off to New Paltz to meet with Patti Nelson . Later SD

CHANGES , FORGIVE THE MESSENGER

At this point I am assuming that any one and I might mean one as in a person is reading this currently SORRY to say there have been some schedule changes .

NEW YORK

Solar 1 we have decided due to a variety of reasons to postpone events there BUT we are interested in getting Artists to work there at the habitat studio so do contact us !!

We will be posting the NEW events and NEW dates asap at this location !!

NEW PALTZ

Patti Nelson begins working at the Old Main Circle Campus habitat studio tomorrow ,Wednesday AUGUST 12th ....further details to follow Her residency to go through to August 21st .

Molly Rausch continues her Lost and Found Booth through this weekend . Ayesha Ibrhim will be joining her this week at some point at the Main St studio ... I'll have more news SOON.

Huguenot Street Studio continues with Ustya Tarnawsky (pix to follow !)

PHILADELPHIA

I am going there next week to see how the Gardens Grow or Not ! And to add new material to the studio potting shed . This location for those joining us now is at SCEE 8040 Hagys Mill RD
PLEASE note Reception for Project Saturday September 12th Hope to see you there !!

POET'S Walk Rhinehook NY

Weather permitting I am hoping to move this studio off the "siteline " very soon .I'll be making a few changes to the structure and we're looking to get some Writers in there soon doing their thing !!

ART OMI, Ghent NY

This is our errant studio ,.... we are not on the map and I am unsure as to what the future holds for this quiet participant . I am anticipating we will see this studio being relocated before the year ends . Our team is ready to pick up and go when we have the word !? Bill please call us !!

BEACON NY

The original habitat site is slowly being cleaned up . We still have ONE studio there which will be moved by the month end . Materials gathered will be repurposed or disposed off as weather and other natural effects have taken their toll .

GARRISON NY

As part of the Collaborative Concepts Exhibit Michael Natilello will be building a habitat studio at Saunders Farm off OAP RD very soon . This promises to be an interesting hybrid in the studio/shed concept ! Those of you who missed Michaels Fish Shanty at Annsville may like to google that from the Peekskill Project 2008.

MUMBAI , INDIA

We're NOT there yet . BUT there is a festival in Dharavi , aka the slum city as in Millionaire Dog Movie ... which is planned to celebrate what may soon be changing if Real Esate Speculators and the Indian Gov't get their way . This could be a rich exchange if we can propose a relevant studio habitat as part of these celebrations. I'll be posting links to this new material soon .

HOCH TAUNUS ,Bad Homburg , Germany

There are plans to have a habitat studio in the Hoch Taunus Park near Bad Homburg which is a short distance from Frankfurt a.m. . Currently looking at Spring Early Summer funds permitting
Again more news to come on this from OUR Messenger !

Please as a reminder do look at HOW you might support this project , go to the side bar and see donations. YOU can make a difference . AND you might just be that ONE reader who gets it ?

THANKS talk soon Best SD

HABITAT STUDIO SCHEDULE

Or is that SHEDule ?

 

Just an update of which ARTISTS are at which HABITAT studio :

NEW PALTZ NY

Ayesha Ibrahim is at the Studio in The Dorsky Museum  

Friday JULY 31 st    Saturday  AUGUST 1st and Sunday AUGUST 2nd

Molly Rausch is at the Main St Studio next door to 36 Main st Restaurant 

continuing through this week to Sunday  AUGUST 9th 

AUGUST 10 th Molly and Ayesha will be sharing the studio on Main St.

Ustya Tarnawsky will be starting for 3 weeks at the Habitat studio at Huguenot St

Monday AUGUST 3rd    through    Sunday  AUGUST 23rd

Mercedes Cecilia will be finishing up this week end at the Old Main Circle studio on campus Sunday   AUGUST 2nd

NEW YORK 

E Odin Cathcart will be starting at the habitat studio at Solar 1  AUGUST 11 th through

AUGUST 14th     (  all the way over on East 23rd beyond the FDR Drive next to the East River)

Chere Krakovsky will be doing a performance piece at the Solar 1 habitat studio AUGUST 15 th and 16th 

Shed Building Workshop with Simon Draper , a hands on build your own habitat studio

learning what tools , what materials and basic techniques you can use to build your own shed studio . There will be a simple manual to purchase ( PRICE to be announced). If you are interested sign up on :   habitatforartists@gmail.com     just so we have an idea of numbers !!

Sunday AUGUST 29th around 4pm.

More dates to come at other locations .

MOMENTS OF QUALITY

I just got back from the HABITAT STUDIO at Solar 1  , on the East River. I was going over the various events we want to schedule for the habitat studio there during the next few weeks. Including E. Odin Cathcart taking a short term residency there for the second week in August.

A Shed Building Workshop ,probably end of August with hands on techniques to build your own  back yard studio . And a couple more things we want to confirm with others . 

Whilst I was there I needed to repair part of the side of the Shed working photos ,which given the location I was very pleased with how well it was all holding up and looking pretty good ! Just as I was finishing up a fellow came up to chat . He remarked that he'd been enjoying the project and also showed me a photo he 'd taken on his cell phone . He went on to tell me he'd gone to the website and had been taken by the references to Tiny Homes, on the Shed working site .And had enjoyed looking at the various other ingenious small spaces folks had built and designed. He continued how especially in the city space is a premium and we can all do with making the most out of less !!     Thanks Chris , that exchange was one of those quality moments that make this project and some of the material we are discussing worth it all .  Chris also mentioned that he took other opportunities to talk about the various websites and to show other people the photo of the studio at 23rd Street . 

Infact each time I visit one of the Habitat studios around the valley and in the city I usually have a moment or exchange with someone about the project which is similar to this exchange

and is a shared moment of quality which makes a lot of the work well worth it !!

What's funny I 've been thinking about some of the topics that Lewis Hyde discusses in his book, "The Gift" recently and I think this sharing of creativity is key to this type of exchange. There is also the recent discovery of janitors that had set up a "special" place to hang out in, with in the State Assembly in Albany. Their own little habitat studio ? Whether or not you applaud their particular creativity and how it revealed itself, is not the point BUT I do think it indicates the notion that underlies this project of the need for personal space which is not

predetermined .(?) People engage in vast projects to add a bit more space to their house and are surprised that it doesn't always seem to warrant the cost .  Could have maybe built that shed in the yard . As a friend said , his grand dad would take himself off to the Pout House to just have a pout and a smoke. A house out side the House . 

Space has become a very interesting topic of late with a friend who just got back from Mumbai. Bombay for those who haven't looked at a map lately....    He'd been asked to visit with a view to making a film about Dharavi ,the 'slum' in Mumbai (and the subject of escape from in the movie "Slumdog Millionaire". ) What he and I find interesting are the many attitudes to the conditions with which people discuss the "quality " of living because of the lack of space. Infact he has been quoting Ivan Illich's many books about the proliferation of middle class values on the rest of the world by the West .  As though we were exporting tomes for greater happiness ?

What we're suffering from in the West more than not is disconnect, even given the prolific number of electronic interfaces we have which SELL on the premise of how in touch we will become.

Its moments such as the one with Chris today which are lacking in the normalcy of most peoples lives which don't come about because of a phone or email . It s real exchange , moments of quality that  ideas about impulses and thinking outside the box are shared in person. How much might we learn from Dharavi if we rethought the value of really being connected ?

Would we want to put any more people in disconnected hi-rise dwellings or a shed with better sanitation and running water ?

Talk later   SD