Breadboard turns Esther Klein into a project space

By libby and roberta

January 21, 2010   ·   1 Comments

A big shift at the University City Science Center’s Esther Klein Gallery (EKG) begins tomorrow. The shift from an art and science (emphasis on art) space to an art and technology (emphasis on technology) space has been in the works for some time. Tomorrow, EKG shows off it’s new, techie big brother–Breadboard. The art at EKG was made at Breadboard, and showing off Breadboard art is EKG’s new role.  NextFab Studio, which is a high-tech fabrication shop, doubles as Breadboard’s partner, providing its equipment to Breadboard’s projects. And if you’re still confused go on over there tomorrow and talk with Dan Schimmel and David Clayton, who run Breadboard and EKG, and they’ll turn you around.

Steve Brower behind his custom fabricated 'control center' which started as a sculpture and has taken on evolving functionalities as his projects develop over time. He know considers it as his "platform" from which ideas are developed and launched.

The first Breadboard project, which opens tomorrow at EKG, is Steve Brower’s Brower Propulsion Laboratory: BPL-003 Moranic Mission to Montana.

Steve Brower's custom fabricated stereoscope suitable for use with iPhone screens. using iPhone you can link to his website and view ready-made stereograms based on live-feed imagery from the "lander". The lander will be producing imagery from the Klein Gallery and is gearing up for a mission to Montana.

According to Dan, Breadboard will give artists and community groups the opportunity to learn how to work with high-tech tools. EKG will be a project space for installation and exhibition of the resulting tech/art work. The tools include laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC milling machines, and all kinds of digital software, all belonging to NextFab Studio.

• Breadboard also has a 700-square-foot community space on the ground floor of 3711 Market Street, adjacent to NextFab Studio. Breadboard user groups and our extended community can schedule use of this space for staging activities relevant to Breadboard initiatives
• The aim is to develop cross-disciplinary projects with both arts and non-arts organizations and communities.
• Breadboard allows us to invite artists to create new work on site, at NextFab and exhibit it at EKG.

Steve Brower's custom fabricated 'Lander' based on the Viking Space Lander launched in the '70's. The lander is rigged with multiple digitally manipulated functions to explore terrestrial environs remotely (see youtube video below)

From David, NextFab Studio and Breadboard interact this way:

• NextFab Studio will develop and run the prototyping workshop. We created Breadboard as a non-profit partner to develop educational outreach programming and write grants with NextFab.

Breadboard_1: vertical triptych; laser cutter/process/product; laser cut image of deer with design motif, cut from 1/8" luan panel, approx. 2x3 inches

NextFab will be holding open studio tours during the opening reception. Read more at Technically Philly about what NextFab offers.

See it in the real world:

Esther Klein Gallery and NextFab Studio
Friday, Jan. 22, from 5-9pm.
EKG:  3600 Market Street
NextFab Studio: 3711 Market Street

Tags: breadboard, ekg, esther klein gallery, hackers, nextfab studio, rapid prototyping, technology

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