Today we’d like to introduce you to Benton C Bainbridge.
Hi Benton, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Erie, PA, was a fantastic place to grow up as an aspiring experimental artist. I experienced new forms firsthand: installation art, kinetic art, and abstract poetry. I presented experimental film and slide spectacles at General McLane High School, participated in the local performance art scene at Clayspace, and showed comix art at Edinboro University’s Bruce Gallery. However, video art at that time was only a couple decades old—too new for the Erie art establishment. I had to leave home to learn media art and reach open eyes. As a teen, I went to New York City to study video and build a career in the art world.
After traveling the world to make and show art, I’ve come back to Erie to foster the next generation of artists. I’m building a home for ethereal art, a space that didn’t exist for me as a tech art kid in a Rust Belt town. A bit of foresight and a lot of luck afforded me the purchase of the old Epp Furniture Store in downtown Erie, which I am transforming into FEED Media Art Center.
I am working with a team of folx to found FEED as a place to experience media art and use new and old technologies that are part of the large collection that we are amassing.
FEED is ambitious. We incubate dreams.
We offer studio residencies, inviting visiting artists to come to Erie to do and make what they can’t do elsewhere…with our space/time, attention, expertise, care, respect, and tech.
Though FEED is young, we’ve already shown artists from around the world: Argentina, Switzerland, Japan, Iceland, Australia, Nigeria, Canada, and other countries, as well as the Onondaga Nation and American artists from near and far.
We pair established visiting artists with emerging local talent. These beautiful collaborative matches result in inspiring artwork; the relationships flourish after residencies end, resulting in Erie artists’ remote work opportunities and their art partners’ continuing engagement with Erie.
Nurturing local artists is our passion. Our Sandbox program supports emerging media artists (prior to exhibiting and/or earning degrees) with an extended residency period (1 or more months) and professional and exhibition opportunities in our galleries.
These individuals are the heart of our organization, and this program models how we want to work with people—the deep connections we want to make with artists, and the audiences that they engage.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve enjoyed speedy progress, though the road is rough. Before we bought it, our beautiful building lay empty for a decade; it’s ambitious to bring a massive, century-old anchor building back to life. I’ve never built an art center before—though, I have experience making art in raw spaces—so I’m learning practical stuff the hard way. The business end of the endeavor is counterintuitive to me, and the sheer scale of the effort astounds. If I knew what I was in for, I probably wouldn’t have made the leap! Thankfully, I have an overactive imagination and a great team on my side.
All the hard work is paying off. Every event we’ve presented, all the creativity we’ve supported, the old tech we’ve salvaged, the crowds buzzing in ecstasy, and the tangible transformation of downtown Erie makes it all worthwhile.
FEED has been embraced by Erie with wide-open arms! So many have shown up to support the dream through hard work, boundless creativity, infectious enthusiasm, and sometimes home-baked cookies.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make video sculptures, immersive installations, interactive art. I’m best known for making media art in real time in front of an audience. I’ve shown my work around the world on every continent except Antarctica, in major museums like New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, on cable, and over the air worldwide. An excess of curiosity has led me to do work in new forms before they’ve been named: internet art, VJing, projection mapping, generative art, and signal culture, to name a few. I’ve performed visuals on stage with Beastie Boys for two world tours and many TV appearances and enjoyed a dozen years as American Museum of Natural History’s resident media artist for the One Step Beyond after-hours series.
Though I love bleeding-edge tech, I have a fondness for old gear—FEED will gladly give your old tube TVs a new home, working or not!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Keep your eyes, ears, and mind wide open. Don’t let past experiences predetermine your future. Listen to people and try to understand how they see the world.
Pricing:
- $5 Eclipsing Stars exhibition
- $5-$20 Events
Contact Info:
- Website: http://FEED.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feedmediaart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/FEEDLLC
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FEEDart
- Other: https://feedart.bandcamp.com/merch
Image Credits
Benton C Bainbridge
FEED.art
Anna Hartvigson
Erie Arts & Culture
Troy Vetri
