Interview by Tara Sasiadek:
The Buffalo Expat Network, the Emerging Leaders in the Arts and HandsOn Greater Buffalo are pleased to present the echo:
Art Fair which connects experienced collectors and first-time buyers
with emerging local, regional and international artists in a centralized
and creative environment; the Buffalo Central Terminal. echo:
Art Fair will showcase a broad scope of fine art disciplines, including
painting, photography, sculpture, print, works on paper, video and
combined-media. echo will commence with a VIP Reception on July 8th, 2011. On July 9th, the echo:
Art Fair will run from 9:30am until 5:30pm. The After-echo party, also
to be held in the Terminal, will take place shortly after the ending of
the fair featuring live music from The Albrights, Alex Kelly, and will
wrap up with a dance party featuring DJ Cutler and AVDJ PROJEX.
Here is
an interview with one of our featured artists, Katherine Sehr: Here is the next in a series of Buffalo Rising interviews with one of our featured artists, Gary Sczerbaniewicz:
Who are you, and what do you do?
Gary Sczerbaniewicz / Multimedia Artworks- Immersive Installations, Works on Paper, Video, Small Works
What are the most essential elements of your work?
Fabrication of (nearly) hermetic spaces in which viewers move thru & experience on a one-at-a-time basis. I am interested in creating a multi-sensory artistic experience for the viewer. I typically use atypical materials as finish surfaces such as breadcrumbs as floorbeds, flypaper strips as ceiling systems, and soap as wall surface.
If you had to choose only 5 materials or tools to work with, what would they be?
Sketchbook (Moleskine), technical pencil, drafting board, roll of architect trace paper, sharpie.
Would you describe your artistic education as a guided or self guided journey?
Periods of self-guided, pleasantly augmented by rigorous academic servitude.
Do you have a connection to Buffalo?
Currently live in Buffalo.
How do you define success as an artist?
Perseverance- learn from mistakes/celebrate modest successes but with an eye toward constant improvement.
Can you share with us a harrowing tale of an artistic disaster?
While transporting portions of a recent installation to Artspace in April 2011, I took off the front bumper of a car peacefully parked on Main Street while pulling in; quickly assessed the damage, humbly apologized to the woman whose car I had trashed & then proceeded to move my work in thru the doors-only to find that the component I was moving would not fit into the elevator door frame; after several white hot flashes of panic realized that said component would fit thru another set of available doors.
Do you have a set schedule for studio time? How do you structure your creative life?
Like so many of us I work full-time and attempt to squeeze in nightly studio time-aiming for some sort of regularity. Since participating in NYFA MARK 2010 I have learned the value of continually seeking and applying for exhibition opportunities and developing and documenting new works.
Can you tell us about where you find resources or inspiration for your work?
I grew up Roman Catholic which has & will provide artistic impetus for a lifetime. I work to provide adequate resources to make my artwork.
What quote or mantra or words of wisdom do you have for other creative types?
‘Do It; Get It Done; Don’t Not Do It’ -Daniel Buckingham-Instructor of Sculpture Alfred University circa 1995
Where can we find more of your work?
web.mac.com/garysczerbaniewicz
nyfamark.com/section/164290_Gary_Sczerbaniewicz
For full details on echo: Art Fair, visit the site at www.echoArtFair.com, or find us on Facebook.