installation

Collaboration with Artichoke Dance Company /  by Daniella Trask

After visiting the Blister Pact exhibition, choreographer Lynn Neuman approached Ian about a potential collaboration. At the time, Lynn was planning a series of performances for the 20th anniversary of the dance company she co-founded, Artichoke Dance Co. One piece in particular, called "Overflow," was about the nature of water, ocean currents, and rising tides. Over the course of the next year, Ian adapted the stitched plastic panels of Blister Pact into a dynamic set for Overflow - inspired by the massive gyres of plastic debris polluting our oceans. 

Overflow was performed three at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. 

Watch the performance below and see photographs of the performance here.

Fighting Plastic Pollution With Project Vortex /  by Daniella Trask

Several of Ian's plastic blister pack creations are now featured on the Project Vortex website. Project Vortex is a collective of artists and designers who work primarily with plastic diverted from the waste stream. A portion of all sales made through the website go to local beach clean-up efforts, and Ian has agreed to donate 50% of any sales to the Friends of Casco Bay organization. Check out Ian's plastic art on the Project Vortex site here. 

Ian Talks with Clocktower Radio /  by Daniella Trask

While in residence at Pioneer Works, Ian had the pleasure of meeting the creative and hardworking crew of Clocktower Radio. They invited him to talk about the Blister Pact project during the February Second Sundays open studio. You can listen to Ian's interview with host Bridget Hickey here. 

Ian chatting with visitors about Blister Pact during the Pioneer Works open studios.

Ian chatting with visitors about Blister Pact during the Pioneer Works open studios.

Blister Pact Kickstarter /  by Daniella Trask

The Blister Pact project would not have been possible without the help of the Blister Pact Kickstarter campaign. A very enthusiastic THANK YOU to each and every person that donated to the campaign, as well as everyone that donated plastic packaging and/or time and effort to help make Blister Pact possible. You can find the Kickstarter page, along with the video and any subsequent updates here.

Pioneer Works Residency /  by Daniella Trask

How do you produce a monumental sculpture inside a 100 sq. ft artist studio in Brooklyn? Ha, you can't. So you can imagine how hard this harsh reality has been weighing on Ian's mind as he plans for his next exhibition. Sometimes, though the Universe answers, and this time it's answer came in the form of an amazing (and timely) residency at the Pioneer Works Center for Art and Innovation. Huge Thanks to the amazing people at Pioneer Works for this opportunity.

Now Ian can start turning all of that discarded plastic packaging into something beautiful. Stop by Pioneer works during their Open Studios, every second Sunday of the month. Come say hi to Ian in his studio and see how the project is progressing. Oh, and don't forget to bring along any blister packs that you've been saving.

You can read about Fiercely Curious' studio visit to see Ian during his residency.

Brooklyn Boulders hosts a Blister Pact Collection Bin /  by Daniella Trask

Ian has been making things AND climbing on things his whole life. In 2007, while living in Salt Lake City, Ian began to take a deeper interest in both art and rock climbing. His eventual move to NYC meant he also had to trade real rock for climbing gyms; Brooklyn Boulders is where he currently sends routes and overcomes problems. When Ian approached them about the Blister Pact project and asked them to host a community collection bin, they were excited to participate and share it with the local climbing community. 

The collection bin and a textile installation at the entrance of BKB.

The collection bin and a textile installation at the entrance of BKB.