Qian Li

1. Tell us about your work…

I am fascinated with cutting edge technology and have worked in a variety of media including interactive art installation, 2D/3D animation, video, digital photography, web, and print. The visual styles are strongly influenced by traditional Chinese brush painting.  My work is a visualization of my abstract and sometime hauntingly real dreams. I see dreams as a more truthful and vivid representation of the human psyche and a metaphor to inner reality. My dreams are largely driven by the desire to love and to be loved, the desire for peace, and the balance of life and death. A series of digital prints on my website depicts the moments in my dreams before disaster happens. Like the calm before the storm, they represent hat split-second of peace, romance, beauty and desire, which will be replaced by endless chase, violence, war and natural disaster.

1. What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on sketches of an installation. I plan to utilize different materials and media for this new series of work, which is new and challenging for me.

1. Where would you take an out of town guest who only had 24 hours in Cleveland?

Lunch at Nate’s Deli in Ohio City, an afternoon at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dinner at Lola or Luxe, and a Cavs game if there is one that evening, otherwise catch a performance at CPT.

1. What do you think is Cleveland’s most under-appreciated gem?

The Lakefront views

1. What do you do to keep warm in Cleveland winters?

Hold my cat

1. Where is your favorite place in Cleveland to grab breakfast?

Lucky’s café in Tremont

1. What is your craziest idea for Cleveland that just might work?

1. What inspires you?

My dreams, music

1. What is, in your opinion, the greatest advantage to living in Cleveland?

A thriving but manageable art community

1. Who is one person in Cleveland that you recommend us checking out?

Robert Maschke

Steve Brown

I recently contributed an artist, illustrator Robb Hare,  to the “Draw! Shoot!” show in the new 1300/Third Gallery space, curated the “Here & Now” show at Brigade, and on July 31st I have “Thrown: The Art of Yo-Yos” opening in the Shoparooni Annex. I’ve got a few more shows booked through the end of the year, but mostly I’m focusing on building a strong inventory in my online gallery store and working on some huge shows for 2010. I’m collaborating and helping curate a show with Klim Kozinevich of Bigshot Toyworks and local artist Mike Burnett that will open in November 2009 in the Shoparooni Annex that will be one of the most impressive group shows ever to hit Cleveland. I’m seriously blown away by the project, and working with Klim and Mike has been tremendous. It’s going to look like an issue of Hi-Fructose Magazine exploded in Cleveland, and I think we’re going to really open some eyes. But more info about that show later. __I have some local yo-yo gigs here and there, a new signature model yo-yo being released by Arizona-based company Yo-Yo Factory (www.yoyofactory.com), a pilot for my own travel show based on visiting yo-yo contests around the world is in the works, and I’ve got some international gigs tentatively lined up. So I’m staying pretty busy on that front as well! I also help out a little with the Cleveland Yo-Yo Club, but that’s run by my friend Perry Prine. He’s a stellar guy and the kids love him. I just make guest appearances. Ha! Check that out at http://clevelandyoyo.blogspot.com.__I’ve got a top-secret project in the works with Northeast Shores Development, who are just a stellar group of people. Can’t release any details about that yet because we still have a LOT of ground to cover to make this project happen, but rest assured it’s going to blow minds and be an amazing boost for the East Side of Cleveland. I can’t wait to run my mouth to EVERYONE about that project, but it’s just not ready for prime time…..yet.__And I’ve got my two sweet little babies…Maverick (age 4) and Trixie (age 2) are with me 5 days a week. I think that counts as a full-time job, so I’m listing it. Ha! And they’re friggin’ adorable, so any chance I get to show ‘em off or brag about them I always do it.__I also do a fair bit of freelance writing…press releases, interviews, product copy, etc. and have been dabbling a bit in consulting work for a couple of toy companies. That stuff is pretty spotty, but it pops up often enough to keep me on my toes!_

24 hours? Oh man. That’s barely enough time for a proper hangover. Let’s see…__I’d cook up some of these awesome breakfast burritos I’ve been making lately (chorizo, 4 cheeses, eggs, garlic, black beans, red peppers!), pack up the kids, and we’d all head out for a picnic in the Metroparks near my house. I’m still amazed at the park system here in Cleveland, and I try to take advantage when I can. Once we work off breakfast running around and being ridiculous, it’s back to the house for a shower and then off to lunch at Brennan’s Colony. Burp, pay the bill, and then shoot down to Waterloo for some record shopping! Music Saves, Blue Arrow Records, and This Way Out are the unholy triumverate of amazing record shopping experience. They’re all right next to each other and between the three of them there is very little you can’t find! Everything from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Department of Eagles to Merzbow…it’s nuts! Then I’d drop the kids off with their grandma, put on my drinking hat, and we’d head to my friend Phoebe’s house. She has the absolute best drinking porch in the whole wide world. Seriously. It’s amazing. The only thing that could make it better would be brick cup-holders built right into it, and I think her not-husband is working on that as we speak. Crash out on the porch, enjoying the ability to sleep outside for the 2 months of warm weather we have here (hyuk hyuk), and have breakfast the next morning back on the East side at Tommy’s before I drop ‘em back off at the airport and pick up the kids.__Yeah. I think that sounds about right. _

Tell us about your work…

Oof. That covers an awful lot of territory! I’m never happy unless I have a lot going on….it’s the juggler instinct, I guess. Ha!

My main project at the moment is The Steve Brown Gallery, which is a floating gallery curating shows all over Cleveland. I’m trying to approach the gallery from the standpoint of an artist resource…too often you see galleries just throw stuff on the walls and while they might sell a few pieces they never seem to really promote the artists themselves or their larger careers. The focus for 99% of all galleries appears to simply be the acquisition and sale of artwork, and the actual artists seem to get lost in the shuffle. So with any artists I represent I do my best to cross-promote any other showings, events, or products they have going as well as offering career management advice, helping them with press kits, setting them up with manufacturing sources, stuff like that. I see my role as a curator not just to present and sell art, but to present artists and their careers. The actual pieces are souvenirs of these artists, a snapshot of their career and talent at a moment in time. So while I love the actual works, I try to keep focused on the bigger picture of promoting the artists themselves and doing what I can to contribute to their career longevity.

I’m also a professional yo-yo performer, and booking gigs as often as possible. I’ve been doing that since 1995, and it’s a huge part of who I am as a person, and my history in this world. I’m one of 11 National Yo-Yo Masters, and while I’ve been out of the contest circuit for a while now I’m edging back in and looking forward to hitting some contests again in the near future.

What are you currently working on?

I recently contributed an artist, illustrator Robb Hare,  to the “Draw! Shoot!” show in the new 1300/Third Gallery space, curated the “Here & Now” show at Brigade, and on July 31st I have “Thrown: The Art of Yo-Yos” opening in the Shoparooni Annex. I’ve got a few more shows booked through the end of the year, but mostly I’m focusing on building a strong inventory in my online gallery store and working on some huge shows for 2010. I’m collaborating and helping curate a show with Klim Kozinevich of Bigshot Toyworks and local artist Mike Burnett that will open in November 2009 in the Shoparooni Annex that will be one of the most impressive group shows ever to hit Cleveland. I’m seriously blown away by the project, and working with Klim and Mike has been tremendous. It’s going to look like an issue of Hi-Fructose Magazine exploded in Cleveland, and I think we’re going to really open some eyes. But more info about that show later. 

I have some local yo-yo gigs here and there, a new signature model yo-yo being released by Arizona-based company Yo-Yo Factory (www.yoyofactory.com), a pilot for my own travel show based on visiting yo-yo contests around the world is in the works, and I’ve got some international gigs tentatively lined up. So I’m staying pretty busy on that front as well! I also help out a little with the Cleveland Yo-Yo Club, but that’s run by my friend Perry Prine. He’s a stellar guy and the kids love him. I just make guest appearances. Ha! Check that out at http://clevelandyoyo.blogspot.com.

I’ve got a top-secret project in the works with Northeast Shores Development, who are just a stellar group of people. Can’t release any details about that yet because we still have a LOT of ground to cover to make this project happen, but rest assured it’s going to blow minds and be an amazing boost for the East Side of Cleveland. I can’t wait to run my mouth to EVERYONE about that project, but it’s just not ready for prime time…..yet.

And I’ve got my two sweet little babies…Maverick (age 4) and Trixie (age 2) are with me 5 days a week. I think that counts as a full-time job, so I’m listing it. Ha! And they’re friggin’ adorable, so any chance I get to show ‘em off or brag about them I always do it.

I also do a fair bit of freelance writing…press releases, interviews, product copy, etc. and have been dabbling a bit in consulting work for a couple of toy companies. That stuff is pretty spotty, but it pops up often enough to keep me on my toes!

Where would you take an out of town guest who only had 24 hours in Cleveland?

24 hours? Oh man. That’s barely enough time for a proper hangover. Let’s see…

I’d cook up some of these awesome breakfast burritos I’ve been making lately (chorizo, 4 cheeses, eggs, garlic, black beans, red peppers!), pack up the kids, and we’d all head out for a picnic in the Metroparks near my house. I’m still amazed at the park system here in Cleveland, and I try to take advantage when I can. Once we work off breakfast running around and being ridiculous, it’s back to the house for a shower and then off to lunch at Brennan’s Colony. Burp, pay the bill, and then shoot down to Waterloo for some record shopping! Music Saves, Blue Arrow Records, and This Way Out are the unholy triumverate of amazing record shopping experience. They’re all right next to each other and between the three of them there is very little you can’t find! Everything from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Department of Eagles to Merzbow…it’s nuts! Then I’d drop the kids off with their grandma, put on my drinking hat, and we’d head to my friend Phoebe’s house. She has the absolute best drinking porch in the whole wide world. Seriously. It’s amazing. The only thing that could make it better would be brick cup-holders built right into it, and I think her not-husband is working on that as we speak. Crash out on the porch, enjoying the ability to sleep outside for the 2 months of warm weather we have here (hyuk hyuk), and have breakfast the next morning back on the East side at Tommy’s before I drop ‘em back off at the airport and pick up the kids.

Yeah. I think that sounds about right.

What do you think is Cleveland’s most under-appreciated gem?

I think Cleveland has a lot of under-appreciated resources. People allow themselves to get caught up in this mentality that Cleveland is the “underdog” city and they forget to take advantage of what it’s got. We have a great zoo, an absolutely incredible park system, some top-notch live music venues, incredible record stores, terrific food all over the damn place, and a tremendous amount of talent in the city. The cost of living is inexpensive and available spaces are easy to come by and fairly inexpensive. Cleveland should not think of itself as a “dying city”, it should think of itself as the perfect place for entrepreneurs. You can find available retail storefronts, 900/sq ft,  in great condition for as little as $500/month. That’s crazy cheap! If anything, the entire city of Cleveland is an under-appreciated gem. I know that sounds like a hokey “feel good” answer, but it’s true.

What do you do to keep warm in Cleveland winters?

I have a working fireplace in my living room. It’s awesome. Growing up in Florida, fireplaces were kinda rare, and mostly for decoration. So moving up here in 2001, they are still something of a novelty to me. A good book and a fire pretty well fits the bill for me.

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland to grab breakfast?

Sunday Brunch at the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern is the best I’ve found. Shame it’s only one day a week.

What is your craziest idea for Cleveland that just might work?

I’ve got lots of idea, plans, schemes. Some are crazy, some are not. I honestly wasn’t sure how to answer this question, so I asked Jennifer Juan from Design Room Creative. We’ve been spending a lot of time bouncing ideas off each other lately, and we tend to be on the same page with things that are business-related. Her answer: “How about Cleveland just being Cleveland and not trying to be anybody else? We’re working class, we’re family-oriented, we’re struggling artists, we’re old money and we’re corrupt!”

I could do without the corrupt part, but that pretty well sums it up for me. With this new initiative to re-invent itself as an Arts & Entertainment destination, Cleveland seems to be spending a lot of time and effort to compare itself to this, or try to mimic that. It’s hogwash. Balderdash, I say! Just be Cleveland, and be proud of it. And quit complaining. When people start telling me I should move to Chicago, I enjoy pointing out that the only difference between Cleveland & Chicago is that Chicago doesn’t spend all it’s time bitching about being Chicago. As far as size, resources, talent, background, etc. the two cities are incredibly similar. But for some reason people view Chicago as thriving and Cleveland as dead. It’s an attitude. And a poor one, at that. So knock it off.

Beyond that….dismantle the NYC Annex for the Rock Hall, do ALL the ceremonies here, and kick Jann Wenner the hell OUT of that enterprise. He has bad taste in music and a profound lack of vision. And I’m sick of hearing about the Rock Hall this, the Rock Hall that, and knowing that he only puts as much in Cleveland as he has too, and keeps all the big stuff in New York. Screw that guy.

What inspires you?

Art. Beer. A change in the wind. Empty storefronts. Lou Reed on rainy days. Heavy snowfall. Genuine smiles. Whiskey. Dirty southern rock on sunny days. Warhol prints. Office supplies. Asking my kids questions. An empty skillet and a full pantry. Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Friends. Bill Hicks. Guitars. Ukuleles. Fresh yo-yo string.

What is, in your opinion, the greatest advantage to living in Cleveland?

Costs are low. Seriously. Starting a business in Cleveland is so so SO much cheaper than in most other cities this size. I wasn’t kidding at all when I said that Cleveland should become a destination for entrepreneurs. I was talking to my friend Kiya who owns Self Edge (www.selfedge.com), a high-end denim boutique in San Francisco. He’s doing really well, and about to open a second location in New York City. We were talking about property prices here versus San Francisco and I could hear him choking when I told him what it would cost to buy an entire block of Coventry. It’s unbelieveably cheap. All we’re missing is more people with vision and the talent to make that vision a reality. Cleveland is due for a renaissance, and I’m stoked as hell to be here for the start of it.

10. Who is one person in Cleveland that you recommend us checking out?

William Rupnik, owner and curator of The William Rupnik Gallery. I like to call him “Ol’ Dirty Bill Rupnik”. I don’t think he knows that.

William Rupnic

1. Tell us about your work… I am the sole owner and propietor of the William Rupnik Gallery, located in Cleveland’s Mid-Town corridor, just on the edge of Asiatown at E. 40 St. and Payne Ave.  I have been exhibiting artworks from regional, national and internationally recognized talents for the last three years.  Although I showcase all mediums of artwork, I have a primary focus on American and urban contemporary styles and techniques.

I am also an artist.  My artwork is commonly mixed media, juxtaposing the crudeness of found objects and layered latex paints with the beauty of the female figure in provocative and sultry poses. 

2. What are you currently working on? At the gallery, I am currently working on preparations for our next exhibition, featuring works by Mallorie Freeman, and amazing oil painter.  The exhibition opens on Aug. 28 with a reception 7-10 PM.  In the studio, I’m working on a portfolio of all-new artworks, my first since 2006.

3. Where would you take an out of town guest who only had 24 hours in Cleveland? This is such a hard question because there are so many things in Cleveland that I would like to expose them to, but the specifics depend on the type of person they are.  When it comes to food, I suppose that they would need to experience a brunch at The Southside, lunch at Hot Sauce Williams, dinner made with Slovenian sausages from Raddell’s in Collinwood and late night Chinese from Bo Loong’s. 

For sight-seeing and exploration, I’d like to show them some of the recent development that has been happening in Cleveland… places like E. 4 St., the clinic and museums in Fairfax/University Circle, Detroit-Shoreway, Ohio City and Tremont.  I’d also like to show them some of the old, reasonably unchanged neighborhoods such as Slavic Village, the Broadway neighborhood, Coventry and Hough.  It would be nice to put an emphasis on the architectural relics that remain in our city, such as Public Square, the Theater district and Midtown, and also explain what happened to some that have been long-lost, such as Millionaire’s Row, The Bond Clothing building, the Detroit/Superior subway and our first Chinatown.  I would want my visitor to leave Cleveland feeling as if they got a comprehensive snapshot of both its history and future.

4. What do you think is Cleveland’s most under-appreciated gem? The old, architecture relics that are still standing.  For some reason, this city’s developers have a nasty habit of acquiring land and demolishing these old buildings instead of redeveloping and repurposing them.  Much of Cleveland’s beauty and history comes from these gems… they are the “soul” of our city.  I think it’s important that we preserve our past while planning our future.  

5. What do you do to keep warm in Cleveland winters? Stay indoors!

6. Where is your favorite place in Cleveland to grab breakfast? There are several places that come to mind.  Yours Truly (various locations), Shay’s Restaurant (St. Clair & E. 40 St.), Adam’s Place (E. 200 St.), My Friends (Detroit & W. 117 St.) are my favorites for a classic breakfast.  The Southside (W. 11 St.) is my favorite for Sunday brunches.

7. What is your craziest idea for Cleveland that just might work? How about rezoning a larger area of the city for legitimate mixed-use (live/work)…  Convert more of our city’s vacant warehouses and historic buildings into affordable, large square footage, open lofts. Offer floor plans of 1500+ square feet with basic amenities to provide artists and creative-types with clean “pallets” to create their own.  Hire good management that will dicourage free-loaders, trouble makers and riff-raff from moving in.  Offer rental rates around $500-600 per month. 

Historically speaking, most of the revitilization that happens throughout Cleveland’s neighborhoods begins and gains momentum from artists who live and work there.  We need more of this downtown.

8. What inspires you? What doesn’t is the real question!  I’m inspired by Cleveland’s gritty, industrial appearance, neglected neighborhoods, and its overall diversity of people, places and things.  Every corner of this city inspires me in one way or another.

9. What is, in your opinion, the greatest advantage to living in Cleveland? Opportunity, plain and simple.  In a city that’s “hard on its luck”, there is never a shortage of growth opportunity for those that are willing to take it.

10. Who is one person in Cleveland that you recommend us      checking out? One entity, but necessarily one person… ClevelandSGS.  Check them out at www.clevelandsgs.com

Stephanie  Madewell

Tell us about what you do…

I do creative odd jobs – this year, it’s been everything from designing sets for a high school musical to creating custom stationary to designing blog headers to copywriting. Kind of a jack of all trades, I guess. I also run a blog called even*cleveland.

What are you currently working on?

Invitations for a going-away party, a menu rewrite, and some illustrations.

Where would you take an out of town guest who only had 24 hours in Cleveland?

My uncle just recently came to visit from Oregon and we managed to fit this into a day, more or less: breakfast at Lucky’s; touring the art museum; an hour or two wandering the stacks at Loganberry Books; Super Chicken sandwiches at Brennan’s Colony; a stop at Boom Modern to pine over a McCobb piece I’ve wanted forever and a day; a walk through Tremont; dinner at Lolita; a cocktail at the Velvet Tango Room; and a movie. If I had been a little more strategic, I would have wrangled in a stop to the Verne Gallery in Little Italy.

What do you think is Cleveland’s most under-appreciated gem?

The Cinematheque. They consistently have an absolutely killer selection of films. Runner up: Wade Chapel in Lakeview Cemetery. The tilework alone is worth a visit.

What do you do to keep warm in Cleveland winters?

Cross-country skiing. I find spending time outside makes the winter much more bearable. Also bourbon.

Where is your favorite place in Cleveland to grab breakfast?

On the Rise. It’s a bakery in Cleveland Heights, and they have the best sticky buns I’ve ever had.

What is your craziest idea for Cleveland that just might work?

I think the city (or some nice philanthropist) should invest in building a 10-story parking garage downtown that would be free. The idea would be to totally undercut the business of all the surface parking lots and force the owners to either sell or develop the the land into something other than acres of tar … but hopefully not Cheesecake Factories. Maybe urban gardens or a development of WeeHouses.

What inspires you?

Art, talk, travel, music, clothes and books. Well made things. Also being outside.

What is, in your opinion, the greatest advantage to living in Cleveland?

Cost. No question. You can have a decent quality of life here on relatively little money.

Who is one person in Cleveland that you recommend us checking out?

Jeff Yost.

]]> http://clevelanddesigns.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/stephanie/feed/ 0 clevelanddesigns stephanie1 http://clevelanddesigns.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/cleveland-designs/ http://clevelanddesigns.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/cleveland-designs/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:48:26 +0000 clevelanddesigns http://clevelanddesigns.wordpress.com/?p=6 ]]> CLEVELAND DESIGNS

What is a city without the people of which it is comprised? And what defines a city if not their actions?

Cleveland Designs is an initiative in which, through compelling exposure, intends to capture the creative essence of those individuals who find inspiration to pursue their passions here in Cleveland.  The intention is to express how their role contributes to both, the tangible and perceived positive progression of our community.