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Exchange Visitor Profile: Eugenio Saenz Flores

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Ever wonder what it’s like to work behind-the-scenes on a Broadway production? Eugenio Saenz Flores got to do just that when he interned with Aurora Productions in New York, NY, through IA&A’s Cultural Exchange Programs. We recently caught up with Eugenio in Vancouver, Canada, where he is now working as a technical director at the Arts Club Theatre Company.

Looking back, what are your thoughts about your experience at Aurora Productions?

Aurora Productions was by far one of the best times I have had since my career started. Finishing school and moving to New York to work with them was a dream come true. Suddenly I was not on only one but over half a dozen Broadway theatres. Throughout my time there we worked in over a dozen Broadway shows, a couple off-Broadway and some national tours. Suddenly I was sitting in an empty theatre a few seats away from Woody Allen as we both watched a run of the play he had written. I believe that what I learned as an intern at Aurora Productions were lessons I could not have learned in any classroom and eventually opened many doors to let me be where I am now.

What projects are you working on now in Vancouver?

I am currently one of the three Technical Directors at the Arts Club Theatre Company, Canada’s largest western theatre company. I am overseeing our largest venue, the Stanley Stage, where we produce everything from a two-hander play to a full on musical productions. I am also in charge of the regional tours.

What are some of the differences, if any, in working in New York City versus in Vancouver?

I think one of the biggest difference from working in Vancouver, rather than New York, other than the budgets (and tourists), is that in New York I was able to work on shows that later got produced all over North America and sometimes the world. For instance here at the Arts Club, they have produced a handful of plays that I was able to work on Broadway.

What advice would you have for someone who is starting a J-1 program?

Transitioning from school life to work life can be scary, but with an internship program it allows you to slowly transition to a full time working mode while still being trained and slowly be given more responsibility. At least for me I feel my internship program advanced my career a couple of years just by interning a couple of months.

What does cultural exchange mean to you?

People within the same city think, act and do things differently, no try leaving your country. Having the chance to go intern elsewhere allows us to see how other people think, work and live. This ultimately improves how we see the world and how we do things. Opportunities like this not only broaden our perspective of the world, it also allows us to share our culture and way of doing things to other people. It is always a two way street, we will gain out of a cultural exchange as much as we are willing to give.

Exchange Visitor Profile: Alex Rinsler

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Alex Rinsler participated in International Arts & Artists J-1 visa program in 2011, when he was a trainee at Feats, Inc. in Baltimore, MD. His exposure to event planning and marketing followed into his production of several events, including HOME in Manchester, which hosted more than 100 events throughout five days, more than 200 artists, and over 15,000 visitors at the opening. We caught up with Alex to hear about his projects and successes in his home country of the United Kingdom.

Looking back, what are your thoughts about your experience at Feats?

I was so lucky to find a home at Feats in Baltimore. I worked with Feats CEO Founder Paul Wolman; through his mentorship I got to experience a successful, mid-size events company in a moment of organisational evolution. Paul is the driver behind many community projects, so I got insight into different aspects of life in Baltimore.

What projects are you working on now in Manchester?

Right now I am writing to you from Helsinki, Finland, where I am a visiting Mobius Fellow, working with Kiasma to help producer URB15, the Urban Arts Festival. And I’ve just returned from South Africa, on a three-week stay with Dr Ricardo Peach of the Free State Arts Festival in Bloemfontein, doing R/D for a large public artwork for next year’s festival. It is strange to go from winter in a hot country to summer in a cold one!

At the end of May, in Manchester (UK) I produced the launch for HOME, a new purpose-built arts centre for international contemporary art, film and theatre. It is a very exciting time to be in the city: there is dynamism behind its varied cultural offer.

What are some of the differences, if any, in working in Manchester versus in your host city, Baltimore?

Every city is uniquely defined by its physical space, by the people who live there and the stories they call their own. Whether it’s ‘I heart MCR’ or ‘Made in Baltimore’ there’s a common drive to use the city’s name and 'brand’ for good, to create imagery and projects that people will be proud of. Both have strong civic identities, long and varied cultural and industrial heritage and large student populations. Both have their share of social and economic challenges.

The language of work is different between the UK and the US. It’s hard to articulate: you guys write emails differently to us. We drink more tea than you do: we even make tea for each other. We get 28 days leave a year, on average - you get 20. Our NHS means we’re not tied to work-based health insurance.

This is academic for me: I’m a freelancer working in arts and culture. Freelancers make up a third of the US workforce now and that’s growing. We don’t have benefits, holiday pay or sick pay. So it’s about building a sustainable pipeline of work, building relationships with people so that they’ll work with you again and recommend you to others, and having a portfolio career that spreads risk.

What advice would you have for someone who is starting an exchange program?

First of all - awesome! You’ve found a great way to learn what it means to live and work in America. It is not easy - you have to make the opportunities for yourself - but the rewards in terms of learning and experience are well worth it. Give yourself permission to miss home - it’s inevitable at some point.

Make the space to look after yourself: eat well, integrate and find friends, get involved in the local communities where you live so you have a life outside your sponsored workplace. In Baltimore I put together an event called 'Ignite for a Better Baltimore’ to bring together the city’s social entrepreneurs. This was a great excuse to talk to everyone and get myself known.

Get a credit card and bank account if you can, and all the things that help you build an independent life. Travel far and wide… just say yes! Set expectations with your sponsor and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need in terms of money, contacts and opportunities. They might not have worked with J1 trainees before, it will help you to be pro-active in setting your goals.

What does cultural exchange mean to you?

Cultural exchange - for me - is how we build trust and bond with people who are different. And it is so important! There’s a lot of shortsightedness, racism and fear, which are right now driving political and economic decisions. These are damaging the planet and leading to conflict. We need more people to stand up and say 'no!: we’ve shared food together, we’ve worked together, we’ve met each other, we understand each other’.

The exchange bit is hard. You don’t build trust through transactions alone, but through human relationships and gifts freely given. Cultural exchange has the risk of the unknown woven through it, and that’s what makes it so exciting.

Exchange Visitor Profile: Richard Jones

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From 2013 to 2014, Richard Jones trained at 101 Productions, Ltd. in New York through International Arts & Artists’ J-1 visa program. We recently got in touch with Richard, who spoke with us about his cultural exchange experience and his thoughts on making the transition from the United Kingdom to the Big Apple.

Looking back, what are your thoughts about your experience at 101 Productions?

Incredible - 10 months since leaving my 18 months away feels weirdly like a dream! I learned so much, both professionally and personally, and feel like I’ve returned to the UK with a whole new New York family, and many new ways of looking at my career.

What projects are you working on now in London?

I am now working for David Pugh Productions Ltd. on a variety of projects using many of the experiences I learnt in New York to good use!

What advice would you have for someone who is starting an exchange program?

Be open to everything; say yes to every opportunity that comes your way; talk to everyone you can; ask questions at every chance you get; go to bed tired every night!

 

What are some of the differences, if any, in working in theater in New York versus in London?

Everything is bigger and faster! Ultimately, it’s the same on both sides of the pond - to produce great theatre that is artistically and commercially successful … but the ways of getting there, thought process and roles that people take are all slightly varied. There is definitely more money involved in the United States - shows costs a lot more to mount on Broadway than they do in the West End in almost every area, and therefore there’s a lot more investors’ money on the line - but it means when you get a hit on Broadway, the financial rewards are also bigger. The presence of such a large subsidized sector of the theatre industry in the UK is also one of the major, major differences.

What does cultural exchange mean to you?

I think it means learning as much as possible about your industry around the world, to take home and hopefully impact your work process in a positive way - but also to hopefully bring your British ideas to a New York office. But whilst the work environment is a huge part of it - the idea of a cultural exchange is really to soak up and learn about the entire way a new city works!

Exchange Visitor Profile: Daniel Arosemena

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Name: Daniel Arosemena

From: The Netherlands

Intern at: Thom Browne (New York, NY)

Q: Tell us about one of your favorite projects you worked on in your internship.

There were many interesting projects I worked on during my internship, but without a doubt the most important, and my favorite, was the runway collection for Autumn/Winter 2015-16. I had the privilege to assist the design team during the inception, development and production of the collection. I was able to contribute with digital work, help with the organization of styles and fabrications and collaborate with the communication with the factories. Theproject culminated with a trip to Paris to help the team prepare everything for the show, which was unreal.

Q: Where was your favorite place to go to in New York?

New York is an amazing city that has so much to offer it is almost impossible to think of only one favorite place; but if I had to choose it would be Central Park. I enjoyed walking on the park, having a pretzel from time to time and looking at the gorgeous view of Manhattan; it is the perfect combination of romance and modernity that characterizes New York so much. It was also very cool to go ice-skating during the Christmas season with holiday music in the background and a cup of hot chocolate to keep you warm.

Q: Tell us about a funny or interesting moment you have experienced during your program.

Just at the beginning of my program I had to go to one of the suppliers in midtown to get some information that was needed in the studio. After receiving it, the owner of the factory asked me if I wanted to have a look at the place and get to know how the products were made. The brand creates handmade flowers from fabric in a million different ways. I got to see how the fabrics were treated, cut in traditional machines and assembled into appliqués. It was interesting to see that kind of tradition still being used and applied in fashion.

Q: What was your favorite new food you have tried in the United States?

My favorite new food is Korean. I had never had it before New York and a good friend of mine, Korean, happened to know a great place in Korean town. I tried kimchi and Korean stew and I found them delicious. I had such a great experience that when my husband came to visit, I took him there and he really enjoyed it.

Q: What has been your favorite cultural activity so far?

I tried to make the best out of my stay in New York and went to many events. Theater, museums, parades; they were all amazing but the one I found most interesting was the New York art book fair at the PS1 MoMA in Long Island. I liked how many people gathered to look for inspiration of all sorts. From expensive rare editions or art books to cheap independent booklets, everyone was interested in art and opened to interact with other artists. During the event rappers and DJs played live in the venue to keep the atmosphere up.

Q: What are some of the differences, if any, in working in the arts in the United States versus in the Netherlands and/or other countries where you have worked?

I experienced many differences between the two countries, especially in the way of working. New York demands a 24/7 attitude with a lot of energy and drive. People don’t stop moving and they are always hungry for more. What I really like is that the American industry is open to new ideas even if they are very radical and out of the box. In The Netherlands on the other hand has a calmer rhythm and is most important to achieve a balanced level of quality and quantity. What can sometimes be hard in Europe is that people are not as open to any idea because they have seen such much that people would quickly dismiss something that they don’t find interesting.

Q: You recently went to Paris to work with Thom Browne, tell us more about your experience there?

My trip to Paris was the perfect ending to the internship. I saw how everything came together. From the casting, the fittings, the last minute sewing to the dressing of the models it was a race to the start of the show. I had a lot of hours of labor but the adrenaline kept me on track to work as hard as ever. The experience helped me to have a better appreciation of a professional show; to keep in mind the big picture and to be focused and be consistent with the vision of the spectacle.

You can take a closer look at Thom Browne’s Fall 2015 Menswear collection here. 

Exchange Visitor Profile: Ken Kitano

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In 2013, Japanese artist Ken Kitano trained at ROSEGALLERY in Santa Monica, California, through International Arts & Artists’ J-1 visa program. Two years later, the gallery is featuring his work in a solo show, Now, Here, and Beyond, which will be held from January 17 through March 7, 2015.

Inspired by the rich history and practice of West Coast landscape photography, Kitano’s photographs illustrate the relationship between nature, human life and planetary movements.

Read more about his show at rosegallery.net!

Exchange Visitor Profile: Shariffa Ali

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Name: Shariffa Ali

From: Nairobi, Kenya

Trainee at: Public Theater (New York, NY)

Q: Tell us about one of your favorite projects you are working on in your internship.

I intern for a department in the Public Theater called PUBLIC WORKS, a major new initiative of The Public Theater that seeks to engage the people of New York by making them creators and not just spectators. Working with community partner organizations in all five boroughs, PUBLIC WORKS invites members of diverse communities to participate in theater workshops, to attend classes, to attend productions, and to become involved in the daily life of The Public Theater. PUBLIC WORKS deliberately blur the line between professional artists and community members: it will create theater that is not only for the people, but by and of the people as well.

A highlight this year was working with the cast and production team of THE WINTER’S TALE. This was a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s play featuring more than 200 New Yorkers from all five boroughs performing alongside professional actors and The Public’s community partners. The show ran for three nights only, September 5-7, at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. I was part of the team that co- ordinated the cast of community members, I was able to lead and facilitate the artistic process of a variety of people from all walks of life and all ages from itty bitty children to Senior Citizens. I was able to form genuine bonds with the members of the PUBLIC WORKS community ensemble and learn more about directing a large scale production that lies at the intersection between humanitarianism and entertainment.

Q: What is your favorite place to go to in New York?

New York is an incredibly vibrant robust city that is filled to the brim with enchanting and exciting spaces, to fit my every mood and fancy. Each new day offers new locations and nooks to explore and experience- it’s simply too hard for me to narrow down a few favorites. I am lucky enough that my internship requires me to experience each of the 5 Burroughs and I am proud to have been able to comb through the city from the tip of the Bronx to the tail of Brooklyn.

I love strolling past the beautiful brownstones in West Harlem–the Riverside Church with its intricate architecture and interesting attendees is a firm favorite. The Grand central main terminal featuring the famed domed painted ceiling evokes a sense of awe and wonder in me when I am in commute. When hungry for nature, a walk through the flowers at the Highline or a nap under a tree in Central Park will do. The bright beaming lights of the Times Square theatre district late at night have a way of reminding me that I am in fact living in the city of my dreams. An occasional trip to Williamsburg and Bushwick gives a friendly dose of quirky eclectic fun.

Q: Tell us about a funny or interesting moment you have experienced during your program.

Getting lost several times before ultimately finding ones destination can be a frustrating and fulfilling experience. Finding delight in unplanned adventures and encounters and continuing to remain in wonder of ones surroundings. These are just some of the highlights I have experienced during my time in the city. While interning at Public I have had the fortune of meeting some iconic figures in the theatre and film world!

Q: What is your favorite new food you have tried in the United States? What has been your favorite cultural activity so far?

I am a huge fan of Xian Famous Foods in the East Village for their mouthwatering spicy lamb cumin burgers. When I feel like a grown up and my budget permits, I head to The Red Rooster Lennox 125th street for their sleek and slick Harlem atmosphere. My summer favorite is a place I know only as ‘Caribe’ – an informal shebeen style establishment run by a stern Matriarch loved for their super affordable Puerto Rican Beer, Festive atmosphere and complimentary meals!

Q: What are some of the differences, if any, in working in the arts in the U.S. versus in your home country?

There is a vast difference between the infrastructure and funding of the arts in the USA. There are more opportunities and platforms for artists to develop and present their work. Because the arts industry is so large here, it is also extremely competitive and attracts people from different countries who have a plethora of skills and experiences, this makes for a very stimulating work experience. There is also a general sense of open heartedness and a willingness to collaborate. My training in my home country allows me to bring a fresh sense of perspective and approach to all my artistic endeavors which I value tremendously. I think there is a great variety and immense freedom of expression in the arts in the USA.

You can find Shariffa on Twitter and Instagram. 

Exchange Visitor Profile: Tim Fitzgerald

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Name: Tim Fitzgerald

From: Birmingham, United Kingdom

Intern at: Escape Plan Productions (Austin, TX)

Q: Tell us about one of your favorite projects you are working on in your internship.

I am only a month into this internship, and it has been filled with a number of great projects; anything from basic editing, to really involved work from the start of the project to the finish. My personal favorite project I have worked on in my time so far in Austin has to be a 45 second bumper film that we made for Fantastic Fest 2014. Our film, Clownin’ Around (Warning: Contains scenes of violence, horror, and gore), was pretty highly regarded at the festival and almost won an award presented by Edgar Wright. On this set, I was the boom operator and sound designer, so I really got to experiment with some new and interesting design techniques.

Q: Where is your favorite place to go in Austin?

I’m a big fan of exploring cities, so I just like to hang out downtown. The city centre here in Austin is stunning, the buildings look great, everything is clean, and the people are so very friendly. Not to mention there is always something new to find in town every time you go in, be that a store, a bar or an event of some kind. There is just always something going on.

Q: Tell us about a funny or interesting moment that happened during your program.

There is a famous film production studio not too far from the Escape Plan offices, and I have admired one production company there for some time. Seeing a couple of guys from there hanging out downtown was a very surreal moment for me, as I has been a fan of this company for a number of years.

Q: What has been your favorite cultural activity so far?

Certainly the case with Austin, if you want to engage in cultural activity, just go out and meet people. Everyone here is so unique and comes from such a wide variety of backgrounds that it is seemingly impossible to pin down one culture. This may sound really obvious, everyone comes from different places and everyone has different experiences, but here in Austin, it seems to be so diverse in multiculturalism that you are constantly taking part and learning about cultures.

Q: What does cultural exchange mean to you?

Cultural exchange for me means to really engross yourself in a culture that is not your own, really get invested in something that you may not be used to. I personally think cultural exchange is how we grow as people, because we gain a better understanding of the world.

Q: What are your plans for the future once you finish your program in the United States?

I haven’t got anything set in stone yet, but I’m constantly applying for work in film, TV and video game production across the UK. This is a very short term plan, but I really think it will help me build up on my experience to become a better sound designer. As for a long term goal; I’m not certain as of right now, but I’ve always been the type to live on my wit, in that I go with whatever is going on at the time.

You can view more of Tim’s work here.

Exchange Visitor Profile: Alaa Awad

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Name: Alaa Awad

From: Egypt

Scholar at: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Gallery 51 (North Adams, MA)

Q: What was the inspiration behind your mural, “Justice”?

The inspiration was Egyptian heritage and symbols of peace and happiness. MaHt, the goddess of Justice became the center of the mural.

Q: Where is your favorite place to go to in Massachusetts?

On the summit of Mount Greylock at an old lodge and restaurant where I gave a presentation. The views of the countryside from the mountaintop were fantastic.

Q: Tell us about a funny or interesting moment you have experienced during your program.

There were many interesting moments while I was working on the mural: like five teenage girls on walking to a concert stopped to paint on the mural with me or new friends sitting together on the sidewalk eating rhubarb pie looking at and talking about the mural. Many people volunteered and helped on the mural.

Q: What is your favorite new food you have tried in the United States?

Seafood!

Q: What has been your favorite cultural activity so far?

The Metropolitan Museum in NYC especially the African, Egyptian wings and the Modernism exhibitions.

Also, the mountain top and on the street where I was creating the mural I met many interesting people.

Q: What does cultural exchange mean to you?

It means exchanging knowledge and experience and the positive expressions in our lives. Leaving the mural here means that this exchange can keep going even though I’m returning to Egypt.

Alaa’s 100-ft mural, “Justice” is now on display along Center Street in North Adams, Massachusetts. Read more about the mural’s inspiration and hear from the MCLA show curator, Julia Mogan-Leamon. And watch the mural take shape with this process video!

Check out Alaa’s additional 12-painting installation, “Thebes”, in MCLA Gallery 51.

Alaa’s street art in Egypt during the Egyptian Revolution caught the eye of many citizens and reporters alike.

Exchange Visitor Profile: Katherine Man

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Name: Katherine Man

From: United Kingdom

Trainee at: Vera Wang (New York, NY)

Q: Tell us about one of your favorite projects you are working on.

Whilst working at Vera Wang, I was able to assist the design team on three collections: Ready-to-wear Fall 2014, Bridal 2015 and Resort 2015. I enjoyed working with the bridal team as I was able to experiment with fabric manipulations in delicate tulle and hand-sew embroidery samples. It was great to see my samples being used and inputted into weekly fittings which were further developed. I was honoured to see the final collection, knowing that my creative eye had been a part of these beautiful designs. It was amazing to see gorgeous gowns in production every day as I realised how much craftsmanship and time was put in, from draping the silhouette to pressing each individual pleat of a bodice. As an aspiring designer it has been a truly inspiring experience.

Q: What is your favorite place to go in New York?

The Lower East Side is my favourite area of the city because it’s perfect for the younger crowd and it’s very chilled. My favourite area is Soho, which has a mix of designer boutiques and smaller art galleries. East Village is great for restaurants that are not too expensive - I’m addicted to bubble tea and dumplings so I always head to a place called Tkettle!

Q: Tell us about an interesting moment you have experienced during your program.

I have been blessed to have met some amazing people. You never know who you may bump into in NYC. I met Gok Wan, a UK fashion stylist, whilst on an errand at work and got a photo with him. I also made great friends outside of work and we bonded like glue. We even went to a Brooklyn Nets game and saw Rihanna! I have made the closest friend for life that I will stay in touch with forever, despite being on the other side of the world.

Q: What is your favorite new food you have tried in New York?

I’m not too adventurous when it comes to trying new foods as I’m a vegetarian! But I found an amazing restaurant called Westville that is known for healthy and tasty vegetarian meals. They make vegetables taste really good with their seasoning from oyster mushrooms with garlic and herbs to kale with shallots - I will be making a trip back!

Q: What has been your favorite cultural activity so far?

I visited the “Ai Wei Wei: According to What?” exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum which was powerfully moving. I also went to the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art which allowed me to see the sculptural, mathematical and scientific methods of constructing his gowns from sketches and pattern pieces to completed works.

 

Check out some collections Katherine worked on:

 

You can also connect with Katherine on LinkedIn.

Exchange Visitor Profile: Alessandro Gallo

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Name: Alessandro Gallo

From: Genoa, Italy

Scholar at: Archie Bray Foundation (Helena, MT)

Q: What have you worked on as a part of the Professional Program?

In the past couple of weeks, I attended a meeting of and for Montana Clay Artists, which was held in Helena, and went to open studios of three Old School ceramic artists: Richard Notkin, Sarah Jaeger and Robert Harrison. I also gave a Slide Talk/Lecture at Montana State University in Bozeman. I worked and am still working very hard actually to finish two pieces.

Q: What was your major project while you were here in the United States?

That is the snake wrapped around the hare. Title: Tangled Up in You. Beth Cavener did all the sculpting and I painted the Tattoo. It’s been the most exciting project that I’ve done here and it was a huge success, having been shown at the Milwaukee Art Museum during the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA).

Q: What are you plans for the future as your finish your program in the United States?

I’ve accomplished all that I wanted to, met awesome people, learned a lot and shared a lot of technical information and ideas. So now I’m ready for some serious Montana fly-fishing!

Read about Alessandro’s collaboration with Beth Cavener Stichter, Tangled Up in You! Check out more of Alessandro’s work here.