GA/GI FESTIVAL 2 / 2011

THIS WAS THEN....

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2012-03-16T11:52:00.002-04:00

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GA/GI's Fashion FUZEion Eco-Tech Fashion Show At Pittsburgh Glass Center - Photos - WPXI Pittsburgh

2011-04-09T12:21:00.000-04:00

Photos: Fashion FUZEion Eco-Tech Fashion Show At Pittsburgh Glass Center - Photos - WPXI Pittsburgh

Touchfaster Imaging and Burgh Watching will bring GA/GI to Life

2011-04-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

Touch faster first became known to us last year, when we used their amazing
graphics to give to our fledging new festival graphics and to also promote a shiny new wing of it called "Birds, Trees and Robots," which the children's segment of eco and technology activities, wich will again occur on Saturday, April 2 at the Union Project, starting 10 am. Today, Touchfaster boasts a line-up of phenomenal young pittsburgh talent including Pierce Maratto and Eli Reibich and does a myriad of services including photograhy and events planning. Also watch for GA/GI on Living Pittsburgh's "Brugh Watching" video segments that are being run showing the best of Penn Avenue's Arts Initiative.

GA/GI "FUZEion" Fashion Show Is a Lot Like its Sponsor!

2011-03-28T21:17:00.009-04:00

"Gala" by Amanda Gross

Kristin Barker, GA/GI Fashion Director, has always taken a very open approach to her runway fashion statement. "Why should we be doing what everyone else does?" She asks. She has selected styles from both well-known and emerging designers, and will-- in the spirit of the event--make it all blend wonderfully.

'We love that we have clothes by teenagers right up there on the runway with people who have shown in Paris. Everyone is so accommodating and the younger people get a sense of the possibilities open to them. Many of our Pittsburgh folks are doing quite nicely in the world market." Added to this is a sense of daring-- new definitions of fiber. When Team GA/GI learned the fashion show's host venue, The Pittsburgh Glass Center, was celebrating its 10th Anniversary, we asked them to put out a call for clothing made of glass. PGC's Paige Ilkhanipour and Heather Joy Puskarich took up the challenge.Within weeks, incredible submissions arrived; all of which certainly "break the glass ceiling" of what is considered wearable fashion today.

TEXT REDCROSS to 90999

"Junk Kimono" or Kimonos made of salvage materials will also stride down the runway created by several designers like fiber artist, Karen Page whose students from CAPA are also featured in the show. Also, back for a second year is Neighborhood Academy whose young fashionistas are under the direction of Amanda Gross. Other artists adding a Japanned flair are LaVerne Kemp, Michelle A. Jones and others. The audience will be asked to show their support for tsunami victims by texting a $10 donation to the Red Cross.

Rounding out the fashion show, are vintage looks and eco inspired style from fashion "hot spots": Kelly Lane, ModCloth, Crazy Hot Clothes, Little Black Dress, Jonano, Cotton Factory, Sugar, and other amazing designers! The fashion show is sponsored by FUZE, a fruity, 0-calorie beverage that comes in multi layered flavors.

GA/GI Discovery: The Center for Post Natural History

2011-03-07T19:12:00.007-05:00

The Center for PostNatural History: An Introduction from Rich Pell on Vimeo.

Rich Pell, CPNH Curator

Center for PostNatural History from Rich Pell on Vimeo.

When Team GA/GI heard that 4913 Penn Avenue (formerly Tweek) had been untweeked, we had to learn what was going in. A few calls later we had the pleasure of talking to Rich Pell, part activist, part artist and low key mad scientist who according to the Kindle Project is " the most subtle bad ass" they've ever encountered. Pell, they, say "works in calculated and brilliant ways, never breaking any rules, while creating something no one has ever seen." We couldn't be happier that this Smithsonian Fellow chose Penn Avenue as the location to present his grand experiment which he says is simply to get people to "take a closer look at things they take for granted." This led Pell to advance the concept of The Center for Post Natural History or CPNH, a public outreach venue dedicated to the intersection of culture, nature and biotechnology.

Said Pell, "People need to consider the impact they have on living organisms, how we divide our resources, and how we use our food supply. We need to think those thoughts and hang out with them."

During GA/GI festival goers will get their first dose of what Pell plans to offer at his new Center when it officially opens in June 2011. He chose Penn Avenue for his location because of its diversity. "I don't want to be talking to only one kind of person, " he explained. "I love the broad range of people in the Friendship/Garfield area, and I want people from all over to come here and be fascinated!"

Well, there is no telling what Pell plans to present to the public on GA/GI Night, April 1. So, when the sun goes down that evening, join the watch at the windows of 4913 Penn!

QoLT Brings Better Living Through Science to GA/GI

2011-03-03T16:42:00.003-05:00

Joe McLaughlin

The Quality of Life Technology (QoLT) Center, under the leadership of Takeo Kanade, is a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center (ERC) whose mission is to transform lives in a large and growing segment of the population – people with reduced functional capabilities due to aging or disability. A unique partnership between, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, it's also an effective platform for industry/practitioner/academic researcher interaction and for engaging the general public in technology research. In the near future, compassionate intelligent QoLT systems will monitor and communicate with a person, understand his or her daily needs and tasks, and provide reliable and happily-accepted assistance. Come meet Lead Outreach Ambassador, Joe McLaughlin at the Glass Lofts on Friday/GA/GI evening and learn about current and upcoming QoLT projects.

Alloy hosts Improv Jam @ GA/GI

2011-03-03T12:43:00.034-05:00

Dance Alloy is thrilled to invite the community to their home for a new and fresh celebration of creativity. For April’s GA/GI @ Unblurred event, they will be hosting THE CITRUS SERIES. This is an Improv Jam and Informal Showcase that was founded by Alloy’s own Jasmine Hearn, a relatively new addition to the company. Jasmine started the series to create a safe environment where she could immerse herself into her art. Before too long, the Improv Jams grew to where several fellow students and artists were joining together to share in the experience. With what started as just one dancer in the studio has evolved into a beloved event that has been hosted in various spaces throughout Pittsburgh.

Hearn explains her inspiration, “If we are missing an experience then we should do it ourselves, create it ourselves. I thought maybe other people need a safe place too.”

Dancers, poets, musicians, photographers, anyone that would like to share in this inspiring atmosphere, please join us for this enriching evening. It will be a pay-what-you-can event to help sustain our mission and to further promote and encourage the arts community. The night is not only to dance, but to sing, play instruments, or even just watch. Come share the creative energy with fellow artists! For other GA/GI event information check our schedule link in the left column of this blog.

Legos + Robotics + Kids: Meet New GA/GI Partner SNAPOLOGY!

2011-03-02T15:57:00.001-05:00

The brainchild of sisters, Laura Barrows and Lisa Coe, the Snapology center was created to advance, science, math, technology and literacy through play. Coe and Barrows saw the fun their own children had creating with Legos and other building materials and decided to take it to the next level. Children at Snapology learn team work and hone their social skills by working with instructors who teach by interactive lesson plans followed by model building and computer work.

Snapology offers Parents Night Out Lego Labs, summer classes, birthday parties and other programs. Try out a sampling at GA/DAY, Saturday April 2 from 10 am to Noon at the Union Project Hosting their annual open house @ 801 North Negley Avenue in Highland Park.
Snapology is joined by David Edwards Power Flower, The Pittsburgh Center of the Arts paper-making artists, SpeakLife Storytellers, and Apps for Healthy Kids from "Fit 4 Life" and more. Plus kids enjoy a health snack from Right by Nature.

Hip Hop and Lock positively Likes GA/GI

2011-02-28T14:53:00.002-05:00

Students from the Hip Hop on Lock Project, located in East Liberty and run by local music mogul, Emmai Alaquiva, will participate in GA/GI Fest to enhance their writing talents and share their positive energy. They'll get a special session to check out the work of Craigslist Tunes producer Gian Carlos De-Silva Jesus (see story below) on Friday, April 1. Then, on April 2, they'll participate in a special story-telling workshop with SpeakLife, spoken word artists who attend Duquesne University. The workshop is one component of GA/GI Day for Kids at the Union Project's Open House on April 2. Other GA/GI Day participants included David Edwards with his solar powered metal flower, Healthy Family Apps organized by Jia Ji, and hands-on eco art activities coordinated by the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. For more check our GA/GI events schedule at the top of the page.

Share the Love.... Love the Lint!

2011-02-27T10:12:00.005-05:00

In 2009, Gian Carlos Silva-De Jesús took a random ad from Craigslist posted by a guy looking to purchase a $50 BMX Bike and began an international music initiative--The Craiglist Tunes Project. With the collaboration of "El Santos, " a reggaeton producer from Puerto Rico, 'Soy Sos" a Pittsburgh Producer and "Biddle" a Pittsburgh Rapper, the first experiments with collecting mundane words and putting them to rhythms and songs began. Says Gian, "I bring my culture and music to build bridges.By mixing people and sounds from different places, we are creating new forms of cross cultural music production." At GA/GI, Silva-De Jesus will be collecting words of love and peace from passersby, to put into his super song mixer.See more about one of his other projects here. He expects to produce a CD of the GA/GI collections in the near future. Find DeSliva and his traveling recording booth--"Walkmic"-- at the BGC Activities Center on Friday, April 1st, Saturday, April 2 at the Glass Center.

Cheryl Capezutti w/ "Febreeze"

If you ask anyone about Cheryl Capezutti, you'll mostly likely get a broad smile, just before they answer. For years, Capezutti has been delighting people of all ages and demographics across Southwestern, PA with her artful wit, artsy programming, and artistic revelations. One of the city's premiere "found object artists" she broke ground by taking the unsalvagable--common dryer lint--and creating soulful and whimsical figures and puppets from that waste product. Since then, Cheryl and her puppets have shown up everywhere in dozens of communities, and have graced downtown during First Night.
Cheryl says the goals for her work are to get people to ponder the daily tasks they take for granted, to converse about the place of art in contemporary society and to delight in the creative process.
You can collect lint for Cheryl's National Lint Project @ M & G Laundry located at 5511 Penn Avenue. Mail your lint to Capezutti @ 1509 Tremon Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 along with your name, what you washed and how doing laundry makes you feel.Cheryl is especially interest in getting lint from people who live and work near the Penn Avenue corridor.
You can Also drop off lint and information at ARTica Gallery 5110 Penn Ave by March 25th.

So remember, a non tumbling dryer gathers no lint. Get that laundry done and contribute! :-)

GA/GI Hits the Mark!

2011-02-15T23:20:00.002-05:00

Look for 'em! Designed by Brenda Brown of Passports: Art Diversity, a pre-event poster will be popping up all over Penn Avenue, reminding folks that GA/GI is one sign of spring--weeks before Earth Day. And Revive Marketing with kick start us! Redd Up 'Burghers!

3 Artists To Host "Junk" Kimono-making Workshop

2011-02-08T17:45:00.008-05:00

Facilitated by artists, LaVerne Kemp, Karen Page and Christine Bethea, a special group of Pittsburgh artists have been invited to a special day-long workshop @ the Pittsburgh Center For the Arts to create a kimono made of recycled objects for the eco/tech fashion showcase, one of the highlights of GA/GI's events the evening of Friday, April 1 under the direction of fashionista, Kristin Barker. Last year's line-up included Modcloth, Hey Betty, and Jonano to name a few. This year will include fashions created by local designers as well as work by students from CAPA, Karen Page, Instructor, and a second collection by Neighborhood Academy, Amanda Gross, Instructor.

Much of the clothing modeled on Friday will be available for sale at the Pittsburgh Glass Center--celebrating its 10th Anniversary-- on Saturday, April 2 and artists will be available to talk about their designs. A portion of the proceeds will go to help a local environmental cause.

Great Cooking/Good Science! CMU Chemistry Students Shake-up Recipes and Bake Bulbs

2011-02-03T00:36:00.011-05:00

One of the first things Professor Subha Das did during his tour of 301A in the Glass Lofts, is to peek in the condo's refrigerator.After all, his students will need plenty of space for the ingredients they plan to cook up @ GA/GI Festival. By some super cool quirk of fate, we just happened to ask Das and his students to participate in our festival during the International Year of Chemistry. Yes, this year, 2011. That said, the professor was already quite certain of his students culinary talents.. They'd had a dress rehearsal several months ago at the Waffle Shop, when they took exams and delighted their judging panel with tasty samples of eggs, chocolate mousse, and a specialty drink---a virgin Bloody Mary---that the students called "a Bloody shame." A report of the students finals was published in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's article "Chemistry in the Kitchen.".

Das says he enjoys teaching chemistry, but he likes to take a lesson plan and, "turn it on its head."
"I like to find innovative ways to teach science; get people excited," said the Carnegie Mellon University Professor. "I think a lot of people eating in high end restaurants would be surprised to learn that some of the same cooking methods applied there are also being used at Burger King."

Das eloquently interchanges chef jargon with classic chemistry-speak. He cheerfully mentioned the benefits of making pie dough with vodka, which has chemical properties that allow it to completely dissipate while creating a nice, flaky crust. Its easy to see why his students flock to his lectures.Its important to him that these young adults come away with lessons they will find useful in life. "They often need to see immediate and practical benefits to science," he said.

Subha R. Das

Professor Das will have the run of the condo space and our festival forum to test more scientific goodies on John Q. Public; as well as offer mini lectures on subjects like: The mind of a microwave that will help us finally understand how the darn thing works. He may even take the mystery out setting the clock! For dessert? Das thinks samples of at least two super cool items would be available--a liquid nitrogen ice cream and a nitro-frozen mousse.
Says Das, "Ice cream has become somewhat ordinary, so I want to make sure that I'm upping the ante."

GA/GI Goes To Global Game Jam /Jia Ji Presents Amazing Apps for Healthy Families

2011-01-31T22:33:00.014-05:00

Sabrina Haskell

What stays awake 48 hours to create, has 19 teams, 19 computers, 19 games and an average of 590+ working fingers? It's Pittsburgh's Global Game Jam! Sponsored by the International Game Developers Association, Global Game Jam is a great opportunity to build a game in 2 days and have other people play it. The concept began to help grow the game industry, by having enthusiasts (artists, techs, students, musicians and others) rapidly prototype new video game designs in 48 hours. This year the local site for this international event was the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and GA/GI Director, Christine Bethea, was asked to judge the games along with AIP President, George Sebolt and M.K.Haley from CMU's Entertainment Technology Center. The Event was organized by Sabrina Haskell of Schell Games and our involvement came via Jia Ji of Couchange, a company who fosters creative fund raising ideas for non profits. But more on Ji later....

It was pandemonium at the onset at the the Global Games Jam on Sunday, January 30th. At 3 pm sharp, dozens of eager hopefuls poured out from elevators and jockeyed for tables, looking to get their games in the forefront. With winners from last year, actually realizing a market for their product, it was no wonder such a large and diverse crowd was willing to go sleepless to join this video game competition. The theme: Extinction led to some very worthy experimentation. All three judges had a difficult time, with so many creative minds displaying their best efforts. In the end, it was a dead heat finish between "Sons of Ham" and "The Running Lattes.".Both teams excelled not only for their overall creative style and ability, but for their colorful presentations as well. We may very well see their games in retail stores in the very near future.

Jia Ji

On both Friday, April 1 during GA/GI @ Unblurred on Penn Avenue and Saturday, April 2 during GA/GI @ the Union Project Open House (corner of Highland Park's Stanton and Negley Avenue), you will certainly be seeing Jia Ji. He'll join GA/GI to showcase the Healthy Family Apps that were recently created as part of the Michele Obama "Let's Move" campaign. $60,000 in cash prizes was given out to 12 innovators from across the nation for the creation of software tools which encouraged kids and their families to consider healthy choices in eating and to become more physically active. Criteria for the winning models included using a few guidelines and the USDA database. Held in 2010, and sponsored in part by the Kentucky Children's Health and Fitness Fund (KCHFF), the winners were honored last September in Washington, DC by members of the White House staff, the USDA, and the Judges. The winning Apps had great titles like: Smash Your Food, Crunch Time and Pick Chow, which allows kids to pick and drag their food onto a plate. Another Judge's favorite was Snack Neutralizer which shows the consequences of caloric intake, by examining what extensive exertion would be needed to achieve a healthy balance. One example: It would take climbing 293 stairs to burn off a dish of chocolate.

These amazing apps will be shown in two separate locations during the Festival's dual days. KCHFF's Executive Director, Jan Winter even sent us issues of their Fit4Fun Reader, chock full of great information that will keep kids and families on track. GA/GI is proud to be hosting Pittsburgh's first look at the work of these nationally recognized technology innovators! Stay posted to this blog as we update our events schedule with specific times and details.

To GA/GI, From Ohio with Buzz

2011-01-27T22:21:00.001-05:00

Wes Johansen and Vanessa LaValle from Ohio are making a triumphant return to GA/GI bringing another collaborator: Robin Latkovich. Last Year it was daring Flycicles and off-beat future media cool (seen below). This year, they are bringing An experiment in experiential engineering exploring two opposite/complimentary modes- the bodily, form-embracing, and the transcendent, form-destroying brought to you by the Intuitive Research Society."

We're not sure exactly what that entails...but we do know it will blow us all away!

Glass Lofts and Glass Center to form "The Glass CLuster"

2011-01-23T20:20:00.001-05:00

This year GA/GI Festival is happy to announce that the I Made It! Market will be joining us in the award winning Glass Lofts. The I Made It! Market, a nomadic indie crafts marketplace that provides opportunities for artists to sell their wares, works to build a sustainable economy for handmade local goods and partners with community, arts, and non-profit organizations, such as GA/GI, to raise awareness and funds to assist in improving neighborhoods. One of the organizers, Nina Barbuto, has a special tie to Festival's edition of the I Made It!Market, being showcased for GA/GI as
"I (re)Made It!SMART." Nina was one of the designers who worked for Front Studio Architects, the company behind the Glass Lofts. Arthur Lubetz, the main architect behind the project, had an idea to bring people off the street and into the court yard space with an artist market. You can image how great it will be to see that come to fruition! The Glass Lofts recently received a Certificate of Merit from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIAPA). The fact that Front Studio Architects produce architecture that is experimentally powerful, and environmentally responsive,.was the perfect recommendation for GA/GI Festival Director, and FDA Board member, Christine Bethea.,who plans to use The Glass Lofts at the corner of Penn and Fairmont for a number of activities during this special April "Unblurred" on Penn Avenue.

"The building has a great look, that lends itself to many artistic uses," said Bethea,"While we're waiting for some of the spaces to be occupied, its only natural we'd use them for community and art projects."

Nina Barbuto and I Made It! Market Director, Carrie Nardini, are excited about the possible handmade, recycled, and locally made wares the 20 some vendors will sell at GA/GI 2011. Others who have utilized the space for past events include Pittsburgh's AIA, Artist Daviea Davis, ARTica Gallery, Le Mix, Mostly Mod, and Obscure Games. During GA/GI, Obscure Games will be returning to Penn Avenue to launch an outdoor cyber-inspired game called "Visible Cities." The Glass Lofts host spoken word performances, eco art exhibitions, live music on Friday, April 1 and join with with: I re-Made it SMART on Saturday, April 2.

Meanwhile the Pittsburgh Glass Center at 5472 Penn Avenue, retains its position as "Mothership" of the GA/GI. Festival. This is a key location for festival goers to pick up schedules and get the most up to date info on exhibitions and activities. The Center will be open both days, hosting the hugely popular Eco/Tech Fashion Show on Friday evening; the The Center will also be hosting its own roster of events as its celebrates its 10 year anniversary including glass blowing and an special Anniversary exhibition and re-cap of eco artists Trunk Show and Sale. Keep posted for more details on our blogs's Schedule of Events Page.

Quantum (Theatre) Leaps to 'Sliberty/Schmutz Company adds SPARK

2011-01-20T12:25:00.004-05:00

Partnerships and collaborations form the backbone of The GA/GI Festival. So its not just about having loads of fun (which happens by default) but were also about the information sharing, ideas emerging, and collaboration forging. Three of our newest partners are putting their own spin on the GA/GI ball.

Quantum Theatre---that adventurous, nomadic dot org--will be setting up camp in the old YMCA building in East Liberty, soon to become condos which is next door to the newly renovated Carnegie Library to produce Maria de Buenos Aires, a sultry tango Operita from the streets of that same city.
Stage direction is by Karla Boos. The production runs from March 24 to April 17, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online or pick them up on Saturday, April 2 and the Glass Lofts, 5491 Penn Avenue, during GA/GI Fest from noon to 5 pm.

Artists David English and Don Orkoskey will be creating a festival papermation project on Friday evening under the Schmutz Company's Spark grant from Sprout. Schmutz has done similar projects at the Children's Museum and at the 2011 First Night and will incorporate a theme that highlights recycling funk as well as Penn Avenue, GA/GI and its key sponsors. Here we offer a sampling.

G2's Tee-Rific Sponsor and How We Plan to "Gigipan"

2011-01-12T14:47:00.000-05:00

Steve Streibig of Tee Rex does a great T-shirt, but he and wife, Samantha are also all-round great people. As one of the new sponsors GA/GI 2011, Steve put his Cotton Factory forward, and is working with us to create wildly wonderful graphics for GA/GI Fest products while giving us plenty of another key ingredient-- moral support. Last year, we were fortunate to do a logo-share with Tech designer Dave Edwards of Art Energy Design, utilizing form and photos of his Power Flower. As GA/GI goes into its second year, we're working on creating our own brand; something passionate, that reflects tech funk and our on-going commitment to the "green" cause. Steve took Fest Director, Christine on a tour of his laid back operation, where T-shirts and other magic is made, showing us what he's done graphically for Voluto Coffee, Urban Tree Forge, Tree Pittsburgh, and many others all with that unique Tee Rex touch. We look forward to having T's, posters and some of the coolest festival gear any one in the city has to offer in 2011.

GA/GI also recently met David Bear, formerly a travel editor for the Post Gazette; now a fellow with The Studio for Creative Inquiry @ CMU, who works with inventors that created a unique way to creative views of the city through the Pittsburgh Gigipanorama Project. For our event, Bear plans to place giant photos taken from the the top of the US Steel Building and exhibit them in the big bottom windows of the Glass Lofts ; he'll also host a workshop on how to use the equipment, offer interactive opportunities that explore the Gigapan site and prints will be on sale. Other plans for GA/GI may include Gigipanning the Friendship Arts District on April 1 and 2. The robot that "calls the shots" can take images up to 50 miles away from its main location. We think that is pretty awesome.

"Pretty soon, everyone will want one!" said Bear.

GA/GI "Birds Trees and Robots" Expands @ Union Project Open House

2011-01-11T20:01:00.003-05:00

"Birds, Trees and Robots" is GA/GI for Kids! As part of The Geek Art/ Green Innovators, our team will offer children and their familes eco and technology experiences they might otherwise never encounter by bringing projects and people from those industries to a neighborhood setting where its easily accessible. The Union Project, a 50l (c) 3 in the Highland Park community, is again hosting "Birds Trees and Robots" during their OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, April 2. In addition to witnessing the beautiful changes in the Union Project and learning about its many classes and usage options, parents and their children will be treated to information on healthy eating and exercise, do creative movement together; enjoy hands-on projects, learn farm and garden practices, and enjoy an animation workshop. We will also offer a healthy snack to all attending. There will be something for everyone from grades K-8 during GA/GI for Kids (of all ages) Highlights include a winner's circle of technology from the Healthy Kids Apps Contest with returnees Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and the Power Flower!

[poster design by Pierce Maratto/Touchfaster)

David Roth Champions iPad Jazz, Creative Reuse and Zerolandfills

2011-01-10T16:50:00.000-05:00

David Roth, may look like a mild-mannered Pittsburgh architect, but this guy has more sides to him than a rubix cube and every one of them is super! He creates several kinds of musical instruments and has been experimenting with jazz, using his i-Pad as the foundation of his work. Catch a sample of his music (Dark Chocolate) in the right hand column of this blog. And if his business and music aren't enough to keep him busy, David is also deeply committed to his environmental work, currently spearheading Pittsburgh's ZEROLANDFILL Project which began a roll-out from the Twin Cities to encompass 20 new markets in 2011. Zerolandfill connects architects and designers to art educators and people like Faye Miller of Creative Reuse to "upcycle" sample materials from the often massive libraries of interior designers and architects; materials which all to often become trash. Roth is reaching out to his peers through Zerolandfill on Facebook and his blog Zerolandfill Pittsburgh to curb this trend. He would like to see these items "upcycled."

"Upcycling is different from recycling," says Roth, "in that the objects find a higher purpose than they originally had." For two weeks this April around Earth Day, Roth and his collaborators will be hosting a collection at Guardian Storage in the strip, and redistributing the materials to other creative types locally. Schools in particular may find this helpful as art budgets are usually the first cut. "People are happy to do good things, once they know how," said Roth.

You'll find both David Roth live, in performance and Creative Reuse working on an outdoor community art project at our festival in April.

Call for Artists/ BIG GA/GI Updates Coming Soon....

2011-01-05T11:55:00.002-05:00

Whew! We've been so busy, we haven't had a moment to blog! Too much fabulousness going on--including a new logo design by the Cotton Factory's Tee Rex--to make GA/GI 2011 the most fashionable fest in the city! (The one shown here is doing a cameo) Stay tuned for the BIG REPORT in the next few weeks!

CALL FOR ARTISTS,
Eco and Technology Wizards
Sound Performance,
Quirky Dance and Demos,
Retro and Restyled Fashion
for the Geek Art/Green Innovators
FESTIVAL 2

Last year the GA/GI Fest (pronounced GAh-gee) made history as Pittsburgh's first art, eco and technology festival. We were proud to be one of the key events kicking off World Environment Day and our program of over 150 artists, scientists and green inventors showcased the gamut of wonder to be explored in these diverse but verycompatible industries. This year, GA/GI looks forward to bringing even more brain expanding projects and people to light.

We are currently looking for eco experiments and programs, mega cool robotics, blending of art and science, art related to scientific study, university projects and programs and trends in the green and technology industry; performance and dance and fashion that will enhance these themes. Please send a brief outline of your idea along with images, links and a bio to Christine,
GA/GI Festival Director: gagifest.gmail.com
[Poster Design by Pierce Maratto/Touchfaster]

Passports/Artica to Host Grove City College and Sam Perry for SamSamLand Exhibition in April 2011 @ GA/GI Festival

2011-01-05T11:16:00.000-05:00

"Welcome To SamSamland: Don't Wear Black to My Funeral" will be a gallery and music event curated by Sam Perry of Grove City University. SamSamland's key focus is the balance between celebrating and mourning life. This will be done through the exploration of trauma and its effect on the individual and community. SamSamland serves as a freeing space for victims of trauma and their family and friends as well as an educational experience for all those involved. Recycled materials will be used for all of the pieces, showing that beauty can be created out of everyone's damaged goods. For more information, check out samsamland's blog or search "Welcome to SamSamland" on Facebook.

Obscure Games and Other Wonderful Madess in the Works for a 2-Day GA/GI

2010-11-16T12:01:00.000-05:00

Adam Nelson moved to Pittsburgh in 2005 and may never leave. A student of economics at Pitt, his interest in game design was originally inspired by a course in game theory which laid the foundation for creating a new healthy pastime for the city of Pittsburgh: "Obscure Games."

The impetus for this project began while Adam worked as an instructor at a summer academic program. After being (literally) forced to play with the students, he soon realized that it had been over five years since he had gone to play just for the fun of it, and resolved to bring that spirit of play back to Pittsburgh. A little over a year later, Obscure Games has produced nearly a hundred game events of all kinds for dozens of people of all ages throughout the city. His plans to have a even greater program for 2011, include bringing technology into the games sphere for GA/GI (pronounced GAH-gee), next April!

The 2011 Geek Art/Green Innovators Festival will kick off at the Penn Avenue "Unblurred" of Friday, April 1 with stellar eco/tech/art and fashion; GA/GI extend to Saturday, April 2 which will feature GA/GI Kids activities; also a new featured guest: I Made It Market with a"Going Green" theme. A new GA/GI website with more details will be launching soon!

Speaklife Artists Take on "Green"

2010-11-08T14:21:00.000-05:00

The Speaklife Storytellers will be hosting a children's music and storytelling workshop on Saturday and performing environmental spoken word during GA/GI 2011 as part of their series "Green Dreams and Self Esteem." Performers will include Joy Ike, Dream Job, and Writing For My Life. Heading up this spoken word concert is Adam Keene of Speaklife and blog author of Rhetorical Artz. Speaklife encourages people to live out their dreams by sharing the stories and experiences of themselves and others. Also catch snatches of them on You Tube: