In this inaugural A&T Talks episode, we chat with photographer and digital marketing specialist Kevin Roman (@kevinfelixroman) about the rarely considered topic of how to find your path and perspective as an artist. How do you figure out what it is you are trying to say as an artist? What are the steps to take to begin mapping out your vision and purpose as an artist? What purpose does your craft serve?
Read MoreJohn Free is a street and social documentary photographer based in Los Angeles. His photographic essays range from railroad tramps to automobile abstracts to London and Paris street life. His upcoming book End of the Line revisits his decade long photo essay on railroad tramps in Los Angeles and is due for release in Spring 2021. In this episode, we talk about the importance of practice, things to consider in order to make better photographs, the power of photography, and even some gear talk.
Read MoreSi Golraine is a multidisciplinary artist whose crafts range from painting to classical music. Based in New York City, she is forging a formidable career with a quickly expanding breadth of work. In this episode, we talk about establishing discipline in one’s work and she gives a measured but hot take on why more artists should not want things to work out well.
Read MoreVioleta Palchik is the Director of Folklife at a grassroots arts collective and organization. Her work is dedicated to creating programs that arise from the needs of community groups she is often working collaboratively and intensively with. She is a member of the American Folklore Society, the Association for the Study of Food and Society, and the New York Folklore Roundtable. In this episode, we talk about facilitating dialogue between cultures and the community at large, and how to tell stories in a collaborative manner.
Read MoreZachary Lombardi is a sculptor, designer, motorcycle enthusiast, and visual arts teacher. As an artist, he is quickly bringing his unique vision for furniture design as sculptures and elements of environmental advocacy to the forefront. He recently wrapped up a residency with The National Audobon Society, an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitat. In this episode, we talk about harnessing creativity, finding a balance between multiple practices, and making work with purpose.
Read MoreViktor Baltus is a type and graphic designer. From his Netherlands design studio, he works with brands all over the world to craft brand stories with illustrations and lettering that reflect history, heritage, and authenticity. His Instagram account turned design course—Type Design Class—is geared toward educating designers on the elements and principles of type design, and officially launches in November. In this episode, we talk about his beginnings and how it has led up to founding and operating a full creative design studio.
Read MoreBrad Swartz is an award-winning architect whose namesake architecture firm specializes in bespoke residential and commercial projects. His Australia-based firm is quickly redefining the possibilities of inner-city living by intervening with good and sustainable design in both small and large living quarters. His work has been featured in a variety of books, magazines, and online platforms such as Never Too Small, a media company focused on highlighting award-winning designers. In this episode, we talk about innovation in inner-city living design, the vision of the Brad Swartz Architects firm, and sustainable living as the way forward.
Read MoreDominique Christina is an award-winning poet and writer, author, actor, educator, and social agitator. Her “soul work”, as she often refers to it, is influenced by her family's lineage and legacy in the Civil Rights Movement and by the idea that words make worlds. She is a mother, a published author of four books, currently holds five national poetry slam titles including the 2014 & 2012 Women of the World Slam Champion and the 2011 National Poetry Slam Champion. In this episode, we talk about the impact of poetry & creative writing, the need to interrogate and decode the language we use, she shares her writing process and influences, and delivers sage advice to emerging poets and writers.
Read MoreDavid Givens is a filmmaker, producer, and emerging Director of Photography. His work spans documentaries, branded content, TV, and Commercials for clients such as Conde Nast, Def Jam Recordings, and Vice. In this episode, we talk about finding one’s voice as a filmmaker, creating authentically based on what you know, the pros and cons of freelancing as a filmmaker, and the importance of representation, intention, and sensibilities as a filmmaker.
Read MoreTongo Eisen-Martin is a poet, writer, educator, and movement worker. His work centers on issues of mass incarceration, extrajudicial killings of Black people, and human rights. In our conversation, we talk about the purpose and mission of a poet, the intricacies of organizing revolutionary movements, how to make a living as a poet, and the process of writing and performance.
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