Calder Kamin

Kestrel Rescue

calderkamin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:47:16 +0000

Yesterday, I discovered a female Kestrel in need.

She was stunned from impact with a wall of plexiglass on a sheltered bus stop in downtown Kansas City. When I first checked on her, she was only lightly breathing, and it looked like she was in for the worst, but when I returned, the Kestrel had the strength to pick herself up.

What started out as an intent to sculpt a memorial likeness became an animal rescue mission!

My next step was to get the Kestrel to shelter and contact an injured wildlife service. It was after hours for everybody, but OWL: Operation Wildlife’s voicemail instructed me on how to get the Kestrel through the night: keep it warm, in a quite spot, and do not feed. This morning she was showing progress by actively rustling in her container, but the news came that I could not take the animal across state line to OWL’s Kansas facility. The Likeside Nature Center was able to rush to her attention, and was willing to notify me of the progress. This afternoon, the director contacted me that if the Kestrel survives they would likely release her were I found her, and that I could be a part of that experience. Birds are such fragile creatures. The reality is 50/50, but my entire family awaits the news.

Upon leaving the nature center I almost hit a pit bull puppy that ran out into road, and watched her continue to tear out in front of traffic. With my newly appointed ‘animal rescuer’ status I pulled over, called her to hop into my truck bed, and went looking for the owner. I was able to successfully drop her off in her front yard with someone available to watch her. I promised Kurt I would not bring home dogs.

Fabricated Fauna on Etsy

calderkamin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:36:55 +0000

Some of my work will now be available on Etsy. I have a few items posted on my shop Fabricated Fauna already, but if you see something on my site you are interested in I will be happy to post it to my Etsy account. Wish me luck, because it seems like everyone is already on there!

Murmuration of Starlings

calderkamin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:44:15 +0000

The names given for collectives of animals are so poetic. You may have heard a ‘murder of crows’, a ‘pride of lions’, or a ‘kettle of vultures’? In 2012, I will film animals for Youtube videos titled by group. I compare these word pairings to the odd arrangements of language uploaded by Internet search terms and tags. This is all in hopes of someday creating a viral animal video!

Plans in Progress: Synthrope Stations

calderkamin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:12:39 +0000

I’ve become very familiar with the sight of birds using refuse for building nests. I am fascinated by animal problem solving. Birds have adapted to the abundance and durability of synthetic material resources. Nature’s way of reuse is simple and intelligent. The Synthrope Stations will supply city flocks with a food resource, water, and easy-to-handle litter from the site. Once the breeding season is over I hope to document the nests.

My Last Day at Red Star Studios

calderkamin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:03:02 +0000

Paul Anthony Smith and me as teapots at Red Star's Belger location.

It has been an exciting three years at Red Star. I started out in February 2009, as a senior in ceramics at KCAI, on the hill at the old Red Star Yeast Factory. In 2010, all of the pots and I moved to our temporary location at the Belger Arts Center. In 2011, the Red Star team and I represented Kansas City in an exhibition at the Tampa NCECA, I continued to curate some amazing shows in the Belger Arts Center space, and I trained our gallery manager, Michael Baxley. This is my last weekend at Red Star. My plans are to spend more time in my studio, and focus on my position at the Kansas City Art Institute. Red Star has changed a lot since I began. I wish the new crew best of luck at the new studios and beyond.

Today the staff threw me an unexpected going away party. Our Executive Director, Evelyn Craft, sincerely mentioned how it was my presence in the gallery and our conversations that initiated the transformation of Red Star into a partner with the Belger Arts Center. It’s exciting to know how building a professional relationship, in this community, can motivate some amazing changes. I will always be an advocate for the arts in this city.

Lulu Watches Animals on TV

calderkamin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:14:37 +0000

Last spring I recorded Lulu, my friend’s bichon frise schnauzer mix puppy. Lulu is entranced by animals on TV. Here she watches the documentary Dogs Decoded while they explain the physical and emotional outcomes of domestication.

UCP Biennial Open Studios Reception

calderkamin — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:35:07 +0000

Click to view slideshow.
Thanks to everyone who attended open studios this weekend and to Charlotte Street for a wonderful opening reception. PARTnership place was packed Friday night. It is a gift and honor to be resident in the program. I’m excited for all of the projects to come from my UCP studio in 2012.

UCP Open Studio Plans

calderkamin — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:09:36 +0000

On December 9th from 5:30pm to 9pm, and 10th from 11am until 3pm, Charlotte Street Foundation’s Urban Culture Project will open its artist in residence studios to the public. This event includes free and exciting opportunities to see over 30 visual and performing artists at work. I invite you to visit my studio at pARTnership Place, 906 Grand Blvd, and the studio of Amanda Martinez, Erica Hansen, Katie Ford, Paul Anthony Smith, and Peter Granados.

For this event I plan to share The Love Seat; an interactive furry chair that features hybrid ceramic puppy bellies and audio of pet owners speaking sweet sentiments to their dogs. UCP Open Studio visitors, of all ages, are welcome to participate, and consider the very human ways we interact with animals.

In addition to The Love Seat there will be two Love listening stations. Basically CD players and headphones with puppy ears! There are also several new sculptures in progress to display, and lots of ceramic gifts for sale in my studio.

Please support Charlotte Street Foudation’s Urban Culture Project by attending!

Hope to see you there!

KCAI Career Services Online Presence Workshop

calderkamin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:50:25 +0000

On November 11th, I conducted my first professional development workshop for KCAI students. The focus was on professional visibility online. We covered the best ways to research and reach out to different audiences. Google email etiquette and organization. Personal privacy when using social media, and how other alumni use social media. Most importantly linking it all to their portfolio on a blog or website. It’s critical that all art students have an online portfolio started before they graduate, and utilize the surge of free web tools to maximize their presence in the art world. Next semester I plan to continue sharing insight about WordPress by visiting different departments during their Professional Practice time in studio.

Urban Culture Project Open Studios December 9th and 10th

calderkamin — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:16:08 +0000

Come see my studio progress at the pARTnership place, 906 Grand 13th floor, from 5:30-9:00pm December 9th.