(Community Matters) As we drove home from Zach Scott last night, we chose to drive in front of the Long Center, where we could see Paul Villinski’s Emergency Response Studio parked on the terrace.
A solar-powered, mobile artist’s studio as part of this year’s Fuse Box Festival. It is co-presented with Arthouse, Austin. In August 2006, on a visit to post-Katrina New Orleans, Villinski wished he could transport his studio from New York to the Lower Ninth Ward, so he could create work in response to the conditions he found there. Creating Emergency Response Studio was his solution. Over seven months, Villinski transformed a salvaged FEMA-style trailer into a rolling, off-the-grid live/work space that could house displaced artists, or allow visiting artists to “embed” in post-disaster settings.
Paul talked about his inspiration for the trailer. He was in New Orleans’ ninth ward after Katrina wishing he had his tools to create from the debris. He realized this area of New Orleans remained off the grid, so he’d need power and self sustainability. His trailer is powered by solar and wind.
Festival board member Amy Bryant & Palo Chalupka surprised us by attending. One-week old Ruby with them
the dearest Ruby
Community Matters 