Angry Elephant

Member Highlight for november

Tell us about yourself

My name is Al Felder, also known as Heck which is short for "hectic." Growing up, that was a nickname I got - and also for being on the go go go! I use that handle for writing graffiti. I was born in Brooklyn and raised between the 2 boroughs. Staten Island always felt like home.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

Angry Elephant was created in one of the darkest yet most shining moments in my life. I was incarcerated for nearly two decades in federal prison for "drug conspiracy". During that time, I received such bad news about my 10 year old son. He was thrown out a window from a van that flipped over due to a faulty tire on the way down to Disney. He was unconscious on a pitch black highway in Florida and couldn't be found for a half hour. I was woken up at 12 at night on my birthday and asked to go to the office so prison officials could tell me; and then was questioned about trying to escape. He was in a coma and I called to check on him for days. On the 10th day (his mom's birthday), I asked if someone could place the phone to his ear so he could hear my voice, because I couldn't see him and he wasn't waking up. His mom was reluctant because it wasn't allowed but I insisted and she did. I smiled and just asked him softly if he was going lay there or get up and fight. The machines started ringing and his mom asked "What are you saying to him?" I smiled and said "He's gonna make it." The doctors ran in so she pulled the phone away. I told her he's gonna be ok and she couldn't believe it but was happy.

That day I was watching Nat Geo and it was an episode about how elephants are captured and broken. I couldn't believe how the elephants were treated and tortured, just to be able to work and to be ridden by people. I felt like that elephant in a small cage, and I thought this elephant has to be upset and angry, because I was for them. It reminded me of myself being in prison. I thought I have to do something on both sides to help raise awareness about this because most people, like myself, were very unaware. Angry Elephant was the start of my vision in 2007.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Being able to show my art through fashion awareness.

Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

In 2025, we want to start the Elephants Business Academy to teach youth about becoming an entrepreneur and finding the passion that will help keep them going.

  HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT MAKERSPACE?

My mom has been a part of Makerspace with DB and Scott for years. She asked if I could join and they have been amazing at helping and supporting us with Angry Elephant for years. So grateful for them and Makerspace.

What is your favorite tool at Makerspace?

All the tools are awesome! I can't choose one lol

WHERE TO FIND Angry elephant:

@Angryelephantnet on Instagram

Www.angryelephant.net

Eto Otitigbe

Member Highlight for September

Tell us about yourself

I am a polymedia artist whose interdisciplinary practice uses sculpture, performance, installation, and public art to intersect history, community engagement, and biophilic design. My public art commissions include Peaceful Journey, a permanent sculpture that pays tribute to the rapper Heavy D in Mt. Vernon, NY; Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at UVA, Charlottesville, VA where he contributed to the creative expression on the memorial’s exterior surface; and Invasive Species: Eco/Systems Land Based Initiatives, a mixed reality installation

and performance that crosspollinates urban plant life with narratives of cultural and physical migration. My upcoming public projects include Emanativ, in Harlem, NY, a permanent sound sculpture that centers Harlem’s rich music history and changing water levels in the Harlem River and Cascode, a permanent installation that translates organic forms, natural materials and data-informed design to represent the intersection of environment, health, community and data, and its collective impact on West Philadelphia residents. I am an Assistant Professor of Sculpture in the Art Department at Brooklyn College. I am the founder of Eto Otitigbe Studio LLC (eo Studio), which received the Creative Capital Grant in 2023 for Tankugbe Incubation Lab.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I created art all my life and I loved math and science. I chose to go to engineering school and work as a medical device engineer for some time. All the while I did freelance work for art installations and scenic design. After a while I got frustrated by the corporate engineering and I wanted to explore new ideas that were inspired by some of my personal travels and freelance projects. So I made a transition to becoming a fulltime artist. It took a long time and I'm still learning how to sustain my practice better. A lot of the local programs like AIM at the Bronx Museum, the Wave Hill Artist residency, and the Emerging Artist Fellowship at Socrates Sculpture Park gave me the opportunity and recourses to scale up my practice and experiment with public art which in turn lead to other larger opportunities.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Nature, Science, Afrofuturism

Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

I am installing Cascode, a permanent public artwork at the University of Pennsylvania. The work used material and geometry as metaphors for issues that intersect data science and the community of West Philadelphia. Closer to home I will be installing a temporary sculpture this fall at Weeksville Heritage Center in Crowne Heights.

  HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT MAKERSPACE?

I learned about the makerspace about a year ago during Chashsama Open studios.

What is your favorite tool at Makerspace?

The automated ring rolling machine! Its so powerful and easy to use so you can get really great results. I used it to roll 14 inch diameter rings out of 1/8 inch stainless steel.

WHERE TO FIND eto:

www.etootitigbe.com

https://www.instagram.com/e_o__studio/

Wendy Kaplan Friend

Member Highlight for August

Tell us about yourself

Wendy Kaplan Friend has been an artist for more than 40 years. Her creative and innovative works have been exhibited in galleries and in private collections. She has taught graphic design and has worked as a consultant in fine arts museums in New York and Los Angeles. Ms. Kaplan Friend holds an MA in Museum Education from the Bank Street College of Education in New York and a Multi Media Certification from UCLA.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I began as a stone carver 35 years ago and took up welding about 20 years later. Welding is a very different approach to working and creating than stone carving. In stone carving, you subtract from the subject. In welding, you form the metal and add to the material. I wanted to explore this process.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I am inspired by the varied art venues at Makerspace NYC. The artists share their visions and energy and I love to collaborate with so many talented people. The positive energy at Makerspace NYC is amazing, invigorating and inspiring.

Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

I am working on a series of sneakers welded from stainless steel. I am exploring the idea of the sneakers in states of distress and incorporating paint combinations and techniques.

  HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT MAKERSPACE?

Through a fellow artist who highly recommended the studio.

Anything else you would like to include?

The staff is thoroughly professional and steeped in the intricacies of the equipment in the studio. They are always willing to help the artists, sharing their vast knowledge and experience.

What is your favorite tool at Makerspace?

My favorite tools at Makerspace are the circle maker and the induction forge.

WHERE TO FIND wendy:

www.wendykaplanfriend.com