On Thursday, September 6, Belle & Wissell hosted a crowd of clients, collaborators, friends, and family to celebrate its fifteen year anniversary. The event’s primary theme was focused on the phases of The Moon, the passage of time, and the collaborative works that the studio has completed since its inception. Of course, the event included some further peppering of self-initiated projects from the studio’s history, focusing on experimentation with new technologies and narrative (many of which relate to time and space travel.)
A series of artful media installations celebrating these themes were presented throughout the studio’s new offices, prototyping space, and shared home at Oxbow—a lively arts compound dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. Oxbow regularly presents site specific installations from its artist-in-residence program, but also contains offices and fabrication shop for design-build partner BEMA, as well as three restaurants (Ciudad Grill, Bar Ciudad, and Lorena’s Kitchen).
Media installations interspersed the studio’s new facility in Georgetown
A highlight of the evening was an experimental multimedia performance, with concert pianist Cristina Valdés as the center piece with participation from the Belle & Wissell studio team. The performance was a redux of the rather peculiar, narrative vinyl record project made years earlier, entitled R.H. Wissell’s Lost Recordings. The “story record” included music composed by Wayne Horvitz (produced by Steve Fisk and William Ronan of DCC Experience), narrative voice-over from David Ossman (best known for his work with Fire Sign Theater), and writing by David Drury.
Live multimedia performance incorporated pianist Cristina Valdés’, audio-triggered generative visual sequences, and voiceover monologues.
View of the festivities (from the mezzanine).
Guests captivated by a multimedia performance.
By pressing a button labeled “ACCESS”, guests could retrieve printed data from the studio archives.
Founder and Design Director Gabe Kean is doing a series of presentations in 2014 for Webvisions, titled “Designer as Artist” and “Form Following Function”. For information on attending, look no further.
Caricature by Rita Sabler (of Gabe Kean) at Webvisions in Portland. See the full set on Rita’s blog.
Gary Schroeder depicts Gabe Kean at Webvisions (New York City).
http://cargocollective.com/
Belle & Wissell, Co. invites you to “Future”, a storytelling installation and holiday party where time moves fast-forward.
“Future” Installation and Holiday Party
(part of The Georgetown Art Attack)
Saturday, December 12, 7pm
at Belle & Wissell, Co.
6014 12th Ave South
Seattle, WA 98108 (directions)
Come experience the next installment of The Story of Belle & Wissell and their adventures through time. Featuring our animated holiday window display and an activity to send a postcard through time. Also, be sure to get your picture taken with Mr. Wissell, Belle, or both.
This event will be fun for young and old!
Poster layout.
At the event with Belle and Mr. Wissell.
The full set of postcards.
Hundreds turned out for our opening event on December 13th. We’ve included some photos that captured this memorable occasion… Story Kits available at our Etsy store.
“The Story of Belle and Wissell: How It All Began”
Story Kit and Window Display Unveiling Party, Saturday, 12/13 at 6pm
You’re invited to a special event on Saturday, December 13th at 6pm: the first public exhibition of The Story of Belle and Wissell, featuring original illustrated characters, “Belle” and “Mr. Wissell,” and the beginning of their time travel adventures.
Working closely with collaborating artists, the studio designed a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition Story Kit, which includes original Belle and Wissell artwork and artifacts, and a Window Display exhibit (in collaboration with artist Sven Sundbaum).
Contributing artists, Steven & Carmela D’Amico (creators of the “Ella” books), and live characters (Belle and Mr. Wissell) will be in attendance to greet you.
Signed limited-edition Story Kits will be available for purchase at the event.
Belle & Wissell, Co.
6014 Twelfth Ave South, Seattle, WA 98108 (in Georgetown)
206 322 7908 or visit us at: www.bwco.info
Postcard image:
