by The Green Moderator
Member since:
April 9, 2007

Live Chat w/ Alyce Santoro of Sonic Fabric - Tuesday, June 5th, 2PM ET

June 04, 2007 03:23 PM EDT (Updated: June 04, 2007 03:47 PM EDT)
views: 114 | rating: 9.9/10 (8 votes) | comments: 56

fileId:3096224744146334;size:full;Cassette tapes may be obsolete, but there is still a lot of it out there filling up landfills. Today, 90% of “technotrash” (a large portion of which includes audiotape), some of it treated with harmful chemicals, is not recycled. Artist Alyce Santoro found a creative solution--recycle and completely refashion the tape as a viable yet highly unusual fabric.

Audiotape can indeed be woven into a highly functional material that can be used for clothing, upholstery, etc. Alyce's creation takes this one step further...and into the realm of art. By rubbing tape heads on the fabric, one can also listen to its sounds. Her concept took off, and now Alyce provides her Sonic Fabric to a number of cutting edge designers and clothing manufacturers including Lola Ehrlich and Koos Van Den Aaker, and has even drawn the attention of the folks at the Guggenheim Bilbao.

On Tuesday, June 5th from 2-3PM ET, Gather will host a live chat with Alyce Santoro. Find out more about Alyce's "big idea" in the chat, and be sure to catch her on "Big Ideas for a Small Planet" at 9PM ET on the Sundance Channel.

If you cannot make it to the chat leave a message for Alyce, leave a comment in the box below.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To participate in the chat, here are some helpful tips:

1) Use the comment tool below to post your questions and comments. To see new comments and keep up with the discussion, you will need to periodically refresh your screen. You may refresh your view by using the refresh button on your browser, or the F5 key on your keyboard, or through the Ctrl+R key (on Windows) or CMD+R (On Mac) key combination.

2) Once you have posted a comment to the conversation, refresh your screen (see above). Don't worry about accidental double-posting of comments, as Gather technology prevents doing so without a screen refresh between posts. This will ensure that you can more quickly "chime in" with your thoughts.
------------------------------------------------------------

Do you have a "Big Idea" for the environment? Join The Green to learn more about Robert Redford's new television series about sustainable living. To join, click here.
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 56

Turning cassette tape into fabric is one of the coolest recycling ideas ever.
gaelyn k. Jun 4, 2007, 4:14pm EDT
How does the fabric feel?
Abiola A. Jun 4, 2007, 5:57pm EDT
I hope that it doesn't feel too hard when people are wearing the clothings. ^_~ I sure wouldn't want plastic splinters, but it sound's cool.
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 5, 2007, 10:53am EDT
Made out of cassette tapes... superb! It is not hard to believe.

Making fashions out of memories....very qualitative and expensive too.
The Green Moderator Jun 5, 2007, 12:02pm EDT
We hope that you will be able to join the chat at 2 p.m. ET today. If you are unable to make the chat, please feel free to leave a question for Alyce in the comment thread.
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 5, 2007, 1:15pm EDT
Alyce - In your designs of such an unusual fabric, can you give your evaluations between the commercial silk and the fabric that you have developed in your product and as that campaign or advertising, you are making?

It just fascinates me...

By the way cheers..

I may not be able to attend but I'll try....
Doug Leunig Jun 5, 2007, 1:36pm EDT
Alyce, I won't be able to join the chat but I would appreciate your comments about artists collaborating for common good causes. I would like to start a wiki that would allow artists of all walks of life a venue where they could hook up with others and use their talents to help solve social and environmental concerns.

I am currently the only artist on purposedrivenart.org but my vision is to have any artist interested in donating time, talents, profit portions, or even works to causes of their choosing. Do you think this idea is viable and how would you suggest I go about making it happen?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 1:38pm EDT
looking forward to seeing everyone at 2 o'clock!
The Green Moderator Jun 5, 2007, 2:00pm EDT
Welcome to Gather Alyce! We look forward to spending the next hour with you as you answer Gather member questions about your Sonic Fabric project and your approach to the arts.
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:01pm EDT
thanks, everyone!

gaelyn, to start with your question...
the fabric is softer than you'd imagine...
kind of like a light canvas. it's actually quite comfortable to wear!
Kathleen W. Jun 5, 2007, 2:05pm EDT
Welcome Alyce!! What are the fabrics that you typically use besides the tape? Also, do you try to combine certain types of music, or is it a free for all?
Ann Oxford Jun 5, 2007, 2:05pm EDT
This use of material in art fascinates me. I applaud your efforts and visions. How large are some of your installations? When I hear "installation," I think of something on a grand scale.
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:14pm EDT
kathleen, the music that is recored onto the tape is a collection of snippets of things i collect in my travels. future batches of fabric will have a collage i created from things i collected in new york city...it's called "between stations", and you can listen to some of it as a podcast at migraterecords.com.
Jeffrey Martin Jun 5, 2007, 2:16pm EDT
Welcome to Gather Alyce! Can you talk a little bit about your artistic process? Do you stumble upon ideas and materials or are you deliberate in your process?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:21pm EDT
thanks, jeffery! my artistic process...well, i'm very inspired by materials...mostly i get a big strike of inspiration, but it often leads me in many directions i couldn't have imagined. i love leaving some room for randomness and serendipity.

i use all sorts of old stuff, and regular household objects, in my work. right now i'm working on an animation to illustrate the effects of GMO crops using hundreds of old plastic corn picks (the things you use to hold hot corn on the cob). you can check out some of my other video stuff at youtube (i'm alyceobvious). i've got a video there that incorporates ice cream cones. everyday items comprise most my art supplies.
Linda H. Jun 5, 2007, 2:24pm EDT
Using materials that are recycled is a great idea! I bet it cuts down on those expensive art supplies! What is your background? Did you go to school to study art or did you just fall into it?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:24pm EDT
ann...the big installation i plan to do with the sonic fabric is to create actual, fulll-sized sailboat sails with it. sonic fabric was inspired by the marriage of two things...the small strands of cassette tape (or yarn or other material) often used on sailboats as "tell-tails", or wind indicators, and by tibetan buddhist prayer flags that have pictures of sounds, or "mantras" silkscreened onto them. the idea of the prayer flags is that the wind "activates" the sounds, and sends them out into the world. as a kid, i used to imagine that the sound that was recorded onto the cassette tape tell-tails would waft out onto the wind if the breeze hit it just right...
Kathleen W. Jun 5, 2007, 2:26pm EDT
Is there a theme to all your pieces? Do you always try to send a message through your art?
Kiley B. Jun 5, 2007, 2:27pm EDT
Hey Alyce! Wow, I gotta say that your idea is crazy...but great! Do you have any other unusual projects up your sleeve for saving the environment?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:27pm EDT
linda, i've known since childhood that i wanted to make art about science...when i learned about the dual hemispheres of the brain, i knew i wanted to fully engage both if possible. so i went to science school first...i have a degree in marine biology...and then i went to rhode island school of design for scientific illustration. i thought i might illustrate textbooks. but pen and ink was too restrictive...i was hearing and feeling and seeing things that needed a variety of means of expression...i've come to use printmaking, video, sculpture...and most of all, sound and music.
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:31pm EDT
AC, you can hear sound eminating from the fabric by running a tape head over it's surface. the little head picks up about 5 strands of tape at a time, so what comes out is garbled. if you want to hear the original recording, a little bit of it is downloadable from migraterecords.com. we'll have a full-length cd out soon. the "new york city edition" of the collage, the one that will be recorded onto upcoming batches of fabric, was commissioned by designtex, the environmentally-conscious company that will be making the fabric available to the public.
Linda H. Jun 5, 2007, 2:32pm EDT
Thanks Alyce. You have a very unusual and cool background. I'm impressed that you were able to create something that incorporated all your interests and passions. That's rare!
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:35pm EDT
kathleen...i suppose all of my work alludes to the mysterious, miraculous nature of existence in general. above all, it's about appreciation, respect, and reverence for this crazy phenomenon we've all found ourselves a part of. it's about intuition and inspiration and lots of things that fall outside the realm of traditional scientific reseach. i like to make lab equipment to do reseach of the ineffable, unquantifyable. : )
Francois G. Jun 5, 2007, 2:36pm EDT
Hi Alyce, I look forward to seeing the show tonight. I'm wondering what aspect of your art is the most satisfying to you? Is it the artistic process itself or people's reaction to what you create?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:37pm EDT
i should add that the collage that's recorded onto the fabric is, for me, about everything, on a quantum level, being made up of nothing more than a wiggle, a wave, a vibration. everything that exists, is, quite literally, a "sonic fabric".
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:41pm EDT
francois...the process itself is where it's at for me. i do very much enjoy experiencing people's reactions...it's been a real joy and honor (and incredible surprise!) for me to get such wonderful feedback about the sonic fabric. but years ago (early 90's) i heard the poet allen ginsberg say something during a reading that changed my life: "when the muse calls, answer". i've been striving to do just that ever since.
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:44pm EDT
kiley...other projects up my sleeve...YES! i'm a bit obsessed with the disappearing bee situation right now, and have a hunch that GMO crops are contributing to the problem. i expect much of my work...especially film and video...will focus on this in the near future.
Ann Oxford Jun 5, 2007, 2:44pm EDT
Alyce, Besides the two designers listed above, where can one find clothing made out of the Sonic Fabric?
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 5, 2007, 2:45pm EDT
Hi Alyce...
The Green Moderator Jun 5, 2007, 2:45pm EDT
Unfortunately, there are only fifteen minutes left in the chat. Alyce will try to answer as many questions as time permits.
The Green Moderator Jun 5, 2007, 2:48pm EDT
Alyce, Emily R. from CA sent in this question: Alyce, do you collaborate with other artists or do you like to work alone?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:50pm EDT
my friend julio cesar at juliocesarnyc.com is currently making some FANTASTIC neckties and small handbags out of the material! i've also had some handbags made in nepal at a women's craft cooperative in nepal...the women there wove the fabric and sewed the bags. they are available thru 3rliving.com.
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 5, 2007, 2:50pm EDT
You coined ''Technotrash'', its cheerful, very much like the reed of your unusual fabrics.
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:53pm EDT
i LOVE to work with other artists! in fact, MUCH inspiration comes from collaboration for me. right now i work very closely with musician julian mock (julianmock.com). he and i are working on tons of film, video, and animation, in addition to building windmills from recycled materials, alternative agriculture projects, etc. (please see velacreations.com for lots of wonderful, open-source info on sustainable living techniques!!).
Bridget Riley Jun 5, 2007, 2:54pm EDT
A C sort of stole my question - what's next for you in the world of audio-fabric?

Also, how long did it take for people to start taking your work seriously? That is to say, what did you go through taking your art / cause from personal crusade to the mainstream public consciousness?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:56pm EDT
never heard of "technotrash"! : ) did i really say that?
really, i am about the most low-tech, analog person around. : )


oh...probably won't make anything from old cd's...
but vinyl records, defnitely...i love them. there are pix on my webite at alycesantoro.com.
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 5, 2007, 2:58pm EDT
Alyce - It's almost the time, don't bother my question up above... I'll sure visit the site.

There are so many questions but too short a time...

Best of hopes to your designs of unsual fabrics....
Bill's Spirit Jun 5, 2007, 2:59pm EDT
This is a fantastic idea!!

I wish I'd got in here earlier.

Best of Luck.
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 2:59pm EDT
bridget...i think others started taking the work seriously before myself was able to : ). many years ago i won a grant from rhode island state council on the arts...then several residencies...it was then that i realized that i could feel okay about calling myself an artist (whatever that is...of course, really, we're all artists...). : )
The Green Moderator Jun 5, 2007, 3:01pm EDT
Alyce, thank you for joining us this afternoon. And thank you to all the Gather members who participated. Until next time!

Tune into the Sundance Channel tonight, Tuesday, June 5th at 9 p.m. to see Alyce and learn more about the Sonic Fabric project.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 5, 2007, 3:03pm EDT
Alyce - Ok I stand corrected... thanks...
S P. Jun 5, 2007, 3:03pm EDT
Have any of the musical artists on the tapes ever purchased your designs?
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 3:06pm EDT
doug...you asked me a question way at the top...

i think your website is fantastic. i'm sure you're familiar with the philosophy of rudolph steiner and the notion of "social sculpture" by joseph beuys...the idea that the artist has a responsibility to have a healing capacity in our culture...the artist can act as modern-day shaman, revealing aspects of existence that may not be accessible in ordinary, everyday states of mind...art can serve as "subtle reality technology"...bringing forth novel ways of looking at things.

i say, keep doin' what yer doin'! it's extremely important...and i'm sure like-minded folks will be drawn to you in droves.
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 3:10pm EDT
SP...jon fishman, drummer of the band phish, wore and played a custom dress i made for him from his personal tape collection during a phish concert in '04. he owns the dress. laurie anderson, david byrne, and billy martin also own stuff made of sonic fabric...those were gifts, however. it's been very important to me to acknowledge those whose work has inspired me...laurie anderson was a huge influence...back in high school i put an electric pick-up on my flute in response to her tape-bow violin...and now i make fabric from tape...hard to know just how profound her influence has been. : )
Bill's Spirit Jun 5, 2007, 3:11pm EDT
Too bad I don't get the Sundance channel with my cable package.

I expected to hear that the sound pulled off the fibers would be garbeled. Might be interesting, though if the recordings on all the tapes used to make one "garment" were all in the same (or harmonic) key(s).

I suppose the next step will be to create a way of recording onto your fibers once they are spun.

I wonder if this can be painted on. Guess I'd better click to Alyce's web site and see what's what.

Thanks for this!
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 3:14pm EDT
bill...i have considered making a monotoned fabric...and recording onto the fabric after it's been woven is certainly do-able...but for me the most important thing was to have a fabric of lots of stored sounds. the playback is not my primary concern, though it is a quirky by-product.

thanks, everyone!

please feel free to contact me thru my website at alycesantoro.com if you have more questions about my work. please feel free contact designtex for info about acquiring fabric!
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 3:14pm EDT
ps: lots of clips of tonight's show are available FOR FREE at the sundance website!!
Alyce Santoro Jun 5, 2007, 3:16pm EDT
i don't have a tv, or a cable package, either.

: )
Bill's Spirit Jun 5, 2007, 3:23pm EDT
Thanks, Alyce. I'll be checking your website.

I would like to say that in America the "quirky by product" is often found to be the most appealing selling point. And by selling I mean your idea of getting Cassette tapes recylced and kept out of landfills (I wonder if this could be down with VCR tape as well. It also is becoming obsolete and ending up on landfills).

I can picture parties in the future where people would go giddy for rubbing play heads over their various pieces of clothing to compare who's outfit "sounds" the most appealing.
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 5, 2007, 3:52pm EDT
Alyce - cute pix...
Elisha E. Jun 6, 2007, 11:13am EDT
I didn't catch the show (or the chat), but I will check out the Sundance channel.
Valorie S. Jun 6, 2007, 6:41pm EDT
wow!
John Pieper Jun 6, 2007, 9:46pm EDT
Well, Polar Fleece(c) is made from recycled plastic bottles; so I wonder if I can "weve" A new pair of brown Cargo/cassette pants? Hmmmmm....
Mary S. Jun 7, 2007, 10:18am EDT
Doug, I think your idea is really fabulous. There is no way to get honesty into our political system other than this. The panderers to special interests will win power unless there is a way for the people to catch corruption and shame them up. I wanted to post this before going to your site, but I will visit soon. Spectacular changes in how things are done are going on under the radar because mainstream media is jaded and corrupt. My prayer is that by the time the powers that be catch on, it will be too late for them to stop the wave.

Mary Saunders
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 9, 2007, 1:57pm EDT
Alyce Santoro - the most coolest and innovative person I've chatted since.... and quite sensible and artistic, in a more philosophical way...
Machiavelli Dayupay Jun 9, 2007, 2:14pm EDT
Hey! Don't mind the tone of my questionings, I never meant that... just puzzled.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16836, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.