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
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
1 Comment
markcreegan
December 3, 2008i like how casual and impromptu this is.