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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2009 > November > 12
Thursday, November 12, 2009
EAST: Co-Lab brings verve to the East Austin scene
The forward-thinking folks who started Co-Lab are tapped into where so much of contemporary art is headed: toward the temporary, site-specific, performance-based projects that bust boundaries of genre and media.
With new exhibit/performances each week, Co-Lab acts as an incubator for those artists who are pushing the edges. For the East Austin Studio Tour, Co-Lab hosts a daily changing line-up of outdoor and indoor installations, interactive pieces and performances including a collaborative wall mural and a bike-in movie.
We asked Co-Lab co-founder and director Sean Gaulager a few questions.
Tell us about the founding of Co-Lab.
Sean Gaulager: Co-Lab was founded in July 2008. Operating from an old warehouse and large outdoor area it serves as an experimental project space for new media, workshops, and sustainability.
Co-Lab is a non-non-profit in that we are a noncommercial space but are not a not-for-profit (say that ten times fast). Built on a gift-economy model Co-Lab does not offer services or products at a cost, when there is artwork for sale it is commission free and all proceeds go to the artist. Should they decide to gift back their time, talents, or monetary donations, it is entirely up to them and is not mandatory.
What kind of feedback have you had from your neighbors?
Gaulager: Over the last year and a half in the neighborhood, we’ve had a wide array of responses from neighbors. Some have been enthusiastic, some have gotten involved, some are indifferent, and some are plain unfriendly. However, it’s felt welcoming overall and I hope Co-Lab successfully projects an inviting atmosphere, open to anyone and everyone.
Did you specifically look for a place in East Austin?
Gaulager: When I was looking for a location, I wanted to return to the East side mainly because my prior involvement in other east Austin art spaces and projects had shown me a prolific, supportive, and collaborative community of artists living and working in the area.
Why is a community garden as part of Co-Lab’s programming?
Gaulager: The community garden is a way for people to come together and attempt to become more self-sufficient. It serves as an ongoing architecture, design, and sustainability project that has had some hurdles, but will continue to grow until it can provide full stomachs for all involved.
It”s always hard when a neighborhood changes or gentrifies. And East Austin has definitely been changing in the last few years. Any thoughts?
Gaulager: I don’t like that art spaces and gentrification always get lumped together as if artists are in league with the developers and loft builders. Most people don’t consider that when areas do become gentrified most of the artists get displaced as well.
Co-Lab, 613 Allen St.
www.colabspace.org
Additional EAST hours: 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 16, 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 17-19, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 20
Image: A performance/screening by The Light Collective at Co-Lab . Photo by Don Mason
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