Design | AUSTRALIA – NEW YORK About Urban Art Projects’ STUDIO & WORKSHOP
Uniquely, Urban Art Projects is both a design studio and workshop, which designs and/or builds the majority of artworks that it curates. The company is a menagerie of artistic and technical talents - comprised of designers, artists, drags men, curators, metal workers and project managers - all working together to realize each project. In Australia, UAP was recently recognized with the Mayor’s Business Award for putting Brisbane on the world map and supporting local artists.
-How did you get the idea of making this type of art?
Matthew Tobin: I have always been drawn to public space – I love to wander around the streets and explore, to get up early and watch a city wake up, and to observe the day-to- day life that makes a city work. To then be able to create work that inhabits these public spaces and adds to the life of a city -- I find that extremely satisfying.
Daniel Tobin: I thrive on collaboration. I like the idea of being challenged in a contested environment and working with other creative (people) to deliver an outcome, whether it is with an architect, landscape architect or another artist or designer. Also, the sense of discovery and engagement that can happen when people interact with an artwork during their normal daily activity (inspired the idea). Taking the opportunity to make a connection or spark the imagination, to engage with the individual or a greater populous (are also great inspirations).
-Do you have a favorite architect or designer? Matthew Tobin: There are too many to choose just one!
Daniel Tobin: For production design, I like Catherine Martin. Brook Andrew is my favorite artist.
-Are you ever afraid you will run out of inspiration and creativity in your job?
Matthew Tobin: Simply...No. There is too much in the world that I find inspiring.
Daniel Tobin: I generally have the most trouble settling on one idea or paring it back to one simple concept. There are usually numerous catastrophes flying around in the space inside and outside my head – it’s pinning down the right one and moving forward that is the challenge.
-What is the most difficult thing in your job?
Matthew Tobin: Time: Finding enough time to do all the things I would love to do.
Daniel Tobin: Making sure you take your client on the creative journey with you, encouraging them to be risk-takers while you provide a supportive yet challenging team to deliver the result in a credible, intelligent and considered way.
-What is the most fun part in your job?
Matthew Tobin: Collaboration – I enjoy immensely working closely with artists, architects and other creative professionals. The creative dynamic that occurs when a team of designers work together toward a common goal can be completely engaging.
Daniel Tobin: Work-shopping the solution. Bringing the client, consultant team and the artist(s) together to investigate, converse, dream and ultimately collaborate on a progressive and challenging outcome.
-Do you expect your way of creating artworks to change in the future?
Matthew Tobin: Most definitely. Artists are drawn to experimentation and exploration of ideas and materials, and technology marches ever forwards. Artwork and the way it is created and experienced will continue to evolve, to embrace new materials and technologies.
Daniel Tobin: I think what we do is simply a reinvention/ reinterpretation of the past -- not too different from (traditional) architecture. Green architecture existed countless generations ago and still exists today in some cultures; it is just now that we realize the need to re-visit those ideas with new eyes. Art has always been commissioned or made for public space; we are just reinterpreting this idea for the current age. I think everyone changes the future in their own way - I love Edward Lorenz’s idea of the butterfly effect, that a small insignificant event can have the most profound and lasting influence.
-Do you embrace the changes in the design industry regarding social media andtechnology influences?
Matthew Tobin: Yes! It will be exciting to see the acceleration of these changes especially as technology continues to get more affordable and more accessible.
Daniel Tobin: Absolutely, change is inevitable, so you need to be part of that process. The public realm is no longer just the street, but anywhere that is a shared space including the worldwide web. We are interested in the social and cultural environment and how, as a design/curatorial firm, we engage artists to interact in these changing environments.