BICAS Audioscape

This is an audio piece I created both for BICAS to potentially use in some way and to explore the organization, what the offer, and who they serve.

I was interested in this project because I was attracted to the variety of noises that happen in the BICAS workshop -- so much metal, so many interesting people talking about interesting things as they create and repair, and of course the train that runs close by. Part of what I found interesting about this is that bicycles by their nature are really so quiet compared to the rest of the world they occupy. The wheels click, maybe there's a bell, maybe it squeaks. Take them apart, however, and suddenly they're wind chimes, clothing, chihuahuas.

Collecting interviews was easy for the most part. I knew I wanted to create a piece that was informative so it would be useful, but I also wanted it to sound interesting and different. I asked all interviewees the same questions. Of course Casey from BICAS had the most elaborate, informative and correct answers, so hers founded the roots of the work.

Arranging sounds and music was the hard part. I am usually a pretty quick learner, but dealing with computers while trying to learn something new and complicated always presents some problems. I used a program called Nuendo. At first I wasn't hearing the audio files completely -- they would drop off in inconsistent places. It turned out my computer was not hefty enough to run the program. My husband's computer was, however, and Nuendo is a lot easier and less frustrating when it's running properly on a large enough machine. Still, the learning curve was steep, and that was something I should have anticipated before choosing to do something unfamiliar for a project.

I'm glad that I did, however. I am looking forward to practicing more so that I can create more professional-sounding and even-toned works. I still have a lot to learn. This work is half my ideas and half what the computer would allow me to do. It is definitely a crooked doghouse that I made here.

I learned quite a bit from this experience, outside of sound engineering, and I think that some of my impressions come through in this piece.

Art for the Auction

The art auction was so amazing I could not believe the turn out of visitors it had, as well as the quantity of art the exhibition pulled together. I actually had a lot of fun contributing my time to BICAS this semester, especially with the donation of my art. In which my first piece was a wind chime I had created at a workshop, which was conducted by a university graduate student. It was such a fun workshop and the result was astonishing, because it was basically constructed with small bike pieces tied together with fish wire, and anchored by a cassette which was then hung with a bike tube. The result was beautiful, I almost wanted to keep it but I eventually thought it would be best donated to the auction. My sister and fiancé also joined me at this workshop, in which they as well donated their wind chimes to the auction. In addition to my wind chime I also created two paintings using acrylic base paints, and incorporated bicycle theme to them. This auction had so many talented artists who displayed such creative art, It was one of the most entertaining art exhibition I have ever been to.

16th Annual BICAS Art Auction

As our semester-long collaboration with BICAS comes to a close I am amazed at success of their 16th Annual Art Auction. It was an immense pleasure working alongside such a talented group of university students and BICAS staff, and I cannot begin to thank everybody enough for the experience. The process of this partnership ended up being as exciting and rewarding as the actual event, and I am proud of the contributions from my group and the entire class.

I was there to assist at noon on Saturday, December 3rd for the 'preview party.' I wasn't assigned to one specific task, but instead I shifted to wherever my help was needed the most in any given moment. As a result of this dynamic, I was able to experience a variety of art auction preparations and responsibilities; which included: organization of merchandise, labeling of merchandise, street sign placement, establishing and blocking off hazardous portions of the property etc.

The acrobatic, comedic and musical performances both nights were lovely; and the food was delicious! Although this may seem like a minute detail for some, the fact that the food was labeled 'vegan, gluten free, vegetarian' etc. was so helpful and considerate, especially coming from somebody who is allergic to gluten. I also have a passion (complete understatement) for local, organic and sustainable food and was beyond thrilled to hear that the ingredients for the dishes were provided by the Food Conspiracy Coop and Sleeping Frog Farms! I have strong ties with both.

Ultimately, a University of Arizona professor took home my group's community-based, bottle cap project for $50! I'm so excited to know its making its home on our campus.

I'm so thankful for community programs such as these, and that Tucsonans are as supportive and willing to raise awareness by either donating artwork, volunteering for the auction, buying auction pieces, or working behind-the-scenes etc. I plan on continuing my friendship with BICAS and cannot wait for next year's art auction! Thanks again to everybody!

Filming the Auction

The art auction was a lot of fun I enjoyed helping Leon with his filming project. For both nights I walked around and filmed interesting aspects of the auction. I was really surprised how many people were at the event and I can't wait to see the video!

the art auction!!

The art auction was a really fun. I showed up at noon both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was fun because I got some experience hanging up and helping to put together the show. I hung up some photos which had it's moments of sucking because I smacked my thumb when a hammer about four times (same thumb) and I hung some Christmas lights with Amy for the kids corner. I had to leave an hour before the show started because I had my own art gallery opening that started at 5. I only stayed at this opening for an hour due to I had to return to the auction because I had signed up for greeting people at the doorway. Greeting people at the doorway was a cold job that after two hours I was happy that I could move. On Sunday again at noon I went to hang bid sheets. I liked this day because once the auction started I could really see who was going after what and how much the prices were going up. Also I would stroll to make artwork that I had entered to see how much that was going for. during the auction I had a fun time watching that guy with the sewing machine.

The auction is over and so is the semester! With food, drink, live music, acrobats, juggling, and so much more, left my head spinning at the end of the night. Everyone was so happy and energetic. I hope everyone got to bring something home with them. I won a lovely piece of art made by one of our classmates that I am proud to display. The picture I am posting is of a unique artist who uses a sewing machine powered by a rechargable battery. The battery is charged by his bicycle. Every piece created by the artist is free handed, no tracing or guides are ever used. 100% of his profits made at whistle stop were donated to BICAS. I wish I could tell you his name, but he never gave it to me. His card says P.NOSA and you can check him out at www.pnosa.com. I have learned a lot from this experience about art communities and I feel as though I have made a connection. I hope all of you continue your involvement and support with BICAS. Have a great winter break and I will see you in spring!

What a success!

All of our hard work has paid off and the auction is complete! During the day Saturday we helped with the lighting outside of Whistle Stop, decorating with Christmas lights all around the porch and entryway. That night we went back for the opening, and Downi and I assisted with the merchandise table, which gave me an opportunity to speak with Kylie about her previous experience working with BICAS and their auction. Last year, which was one of their biggest years, brought in $14,000 so I can only hope that we were able to help bring in at least that much this year! I also was able to interact with many of the guests, which was a great experience to find out more about the variety of people that are familiar with BICAS or who had just seen a poster or ad and decided to stop by. It helped answer my question about the how a community resource like BICAS is sustainable when they cater to such a large variety of populations. From the bike community, artists, the neighborhood around Whistle Stop and BICAS, families and of course the UA community, there is a wide range of populations that take advantage of what they have to offer and the auction was proof of this. It's also clear that the staff care deeply about what they do, and really enjoy it and interacting with the community.
After having had the chance to help out with the auction once before, I can honestly say that I felt this time was much more rewarding. With the change in the structure of the class and also the way we work with BICAS, mostly thanks to Casey acting as a liason, there was a better opportunity for our class to help with what needed to be accomplished. It also informed some of my questions regarding the partnership between a university and community art program, proving that when done right, it can be extremely beneficial to both parties.