Interview with Robyn Desposito

4:01pmByron

what is your work currently about?

what are you showing at Open Ground in Miami?
4:01pmRobyn

Well there are two parts to it, my paintings and my photography

I’m showing my photography with Open ground at Miami
4:02pmByron

ok. any examples online?

do you have a myspace or facebook that folks can see your work?
4:02pmRobyn

Yep, I actually just updated my photo gallery on my website.
4:02pmByron

ok.
4:02pmRobyn

www.redmuse.com

My photos are exterior shots, more or less
4:02pmByron

ok. so that’s the place to go gotcha.

of what?

the exterior shots?

why the name redmuse.com?
4:03pmRobyn

Lots of stuff, I’ve been focusing on the grittiness of the city and the alienation of open spaces
4:03pmByron

are you a muse :):)
4:03pmRobyn

yes, I guess so:)

Actually my initials are RED

And I have red hair
4:03pmByron

well ok then. that makes sense. thank you.

why the grittiness of the city?
4:04pmRobyn

So my photos focus on the ugliness and beauty of a particular shot
4:04pmByron

alienation of open spaces? etc.?
4:04pmRobyn

There is always an ugly and pretty side to everything

And the alienation comes into the fact because I usually omit people
4:04pmByron

so it’s a Taoist way? a zen way?
4:04pmRobyn

I feel like people just complicate things:)
4:04pmByron

dang people.
4:05pmRobyn

Maybe, but it’s more of showing things in a state without human interraction

Like Last Days of Coney Island
4:05pmByron

so is your work meditation or something or is there something more?

the last days. the end days. gotcha.

do you think it’s going to end soon?
4:05pmRobyn

It’s about the beauty of Coney Island behind the scenes with the ticket booths, but also focuses on the degradation of NYC’s landmark
4:05pmByron

are you just preparing?
4:06pmRobyn

Okay, wait one question at a time:)
4:06pmByron

sorry. we have ten minutes.

we can go over.
4:06pmRobyn

So, in a way my work is a bit of a mediation on the environment around us

As for the Last Days, well yes, Coney Island will be no more after this season
4:06pmByron

meditation?
4:06pmRobyn

And this season has ended

oops yeah, meditation
4:07pmByron

no joke. didn’t hear that. sorry to hear that. what happens to Coney Island after this season?

what is your background with the arts. art degree, education?
4:07pmRobyn

Well, some things are landmarks, like the cyclone and the wonder wheel. but they will be tearing it up for hi cost lofts

I have a BFA in painting and illustration from Syracuse University

One other piece I like is A Quiet Spot
4:08pmByron

what did your background in illustration or how did it shape your artwork?
4:08pmRobyn

It focuses on the beauty of this particular place…the Tiergarten in Berlin, but is somehow kind of a lonesome shot
4:08pmByron

did you find yourself doing illustration for a day job ever?
4:08pmRobyn

Illustration helped me get the business aspect of the arts
4:08pmByron

i love Coney Island?

yes. I think a lot of us miss the business aspect of it.

i did.
4:09pmRobyn

I actually work as a package designer so I’m not technically an illustrator, but it has helped me work with other illustrators in my field
4:09pmByron

how did you meet the Open Ground peeps?
4:09pmRobyn

I met them through the Exhibitionists which is (was?) a woman’s art salon.
4:09pmByron

I’m a web designer for my day job so I guess we all evolve and overcome obstacles.
4:10pmRobyn

Jenny Walty knew Brynna Tucker and we all kind of fell into place together
4:10pmByron

do they have a web site?
4:10pmRobyn

Yes, I believe it’s www.exhibitionist-nyc.org
4:10pmByron

Jenny Walty is a saint.
4:10pmRobyn

I know, she’s great.

And yeah, we all must evolve in order to keep moving forward
4:10pmByron

gotcha. well that’s ten minutes. hate to stick to the project.
4:10pmRobyn

I think my work in graphic design has definitely helped my art career

No, that’s totally fine, thank you!!
4:11pmByron

thanks for the info. see you soon. have fun in Miami. one more question. wise words. anything. last words to leave behind?
4:11pmRobyn

Don’t worry too much about the things you can’t control…everything usually works out for the best

a little too optimistic?
4:12pmByron

well, I hope you’re right. thanks Robyn. see you in a few days. appreciate your time. cheerios.
4:12pmRobyn

Thanks, Byron, it’s been great chatting
4:12pmByron

i’ll post this later on tonight.
4:12pmRobyn

Thanks,
4:12pmByron

thank you. appreciate it.

laters.
4:12pmRobyn

later