the salting SPOTLIGHT: Jay Sylvester

ts: how did you gravitate toward embracing nature and the organic in your sculptures?

js: Growing up in Massachusetts I spent endless hours in the forest behind my family’s home. Once we left NYC for Bellport, I felt my practice shift away from found urban materials to those in nature. I guess I’ve come full circle.

ts: do you listen to specific music when creating? if so: please share.

js: My daughters joke that I only seem to listen to “sad bastard” music: Nick Drake, Phosphorescent, Richard & Linda Thompson, Damien Jurado, Tom Waits, Mojave 3, Nick Cave, Marianne Faithfull.

ts: how do you derive the titles of each piece?

js: Many of the titles of my work derive from song titles or lyrics that resonate with me during the creation of a particular piece. I don’t know how it comes about, but when it feels right you just know.

ts: who inspires you?

js: Do you mean influences? Too many! But here’s some: Brice Marden, Anselm Kiefer, David Lynch, David Bryne & David Bowie, Andy Goldsworthy, Louise Nevelson, Robert Rauchenberg, Brian Eno, Harlan Ellison, George Saunders, Steve Reich, Jack Kirby, Steranko, Mark Bradford, Nick Cave (both of them), Lee Krasner…

ts: what inspires you?

js: The natural world.

ts: favorite season?

js: Now! Fall in New England/on the East Coast is the best. 

ts: 3 favorite restaurants in nyc?

js: Mary’s Fish Camp. So happy they found a new spot and reopened. Bottino after Chelsea gallery hopping. Sukhumvit 51. 

ts: favorite spot in nyc?

js: Central Park.

ts: first concert?

js: ELO at the New Haven Coliseum. My mom took me!

ts: last concert?

js: The Loser’s Lounge tribute to Squeeze and XTC at Joe’s Pub. A Father’s Day gift from my daughters.

ts: 3 favorite films?

js: This is tough! I’m just going to write what immediately pops into my brain: Witness, Bladerunner, The Shining. I guess the common thread is unique cinematography.

ts: 3 favorite cities?

js: Barcelona, Tokyo and, of course, NYC.

ts: one of our favorite pieces of your work is where you incorporated wool yarn from Isabella Rossellini's sheep. how did that come about? how was that experience? and will you create more using fiber/ local yarns?

js: I love doing collaborations. Usually it is with other artists, but I had the wonderful opportunity awhile back to being at a dinner with Isabella and I was captivated hearing all about her sheep and the wool. Afterwards, I sent her an email asking if she had any “scraps laying around” that I could have and she graciously gave me a big bag of yarn! I hope to do more in the future.

ts: please tell us about your workshops held at MAMA FARM: also with isabella rosellini??

js: Shout out to Elettra for that! For the past couple of years I’ve done workshops with schoolkids during art field trips. It’s the best! Young people are so open—Think outside the box? What box? And as one boy said to me: “Nature’s pretty awesome.”

ts: how do you erase hate in your every day life?

js: Wow. You saved the hardest question for last! I think trying to find common ground is a great way to start. 

 

THANK YOU jay!