The Creators Project, the highly-anticipated arts and technology festival took place in Dumbo over the weekend. After kicking off the project in NYC last year, The Creators Project toured the world with stops at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival and in cities such as Sao Paulo, London, Seoul, Paris and Beijing. A world wide tour of onsite installations, music and multimedia visuals — has picked up artists as it went and returned to NYC in Dumbo for a grand showcase in a place that embraces crossing bridges and reaching new heights.

Why Dumbo?

I asked Alex Detrick, the communications manager for The Creators Project, "Why Dumbo?"

"Dumbo is the perfect fit. It has a rich history, it’s filled with galleries & artists of all kinds & the neighborhood embraces creativity! We took this show around the world to find artists in multimedia visuals and bring them all here!"

Dumbo over Soho

I also asked Alex about the decision to have the culmination of the creators project here in Dumbo over any other locale in NYC.

"You guys have a great cross section here in Dumbo. There are families, the young the old and artists as well. Dumbo is the Creative Capital of NYC now."

I asked him why not SoHo and I learned that we shared the same beliefs in Dumbo as a creative capital. That places like Soho and Chelsea in Manhattan are now for the over produced and elitist within the art world. Dumbo is for the young & emerging artists. The Creators Project seeks to empower young artists who don’t have the means to create and explore the area of multimedia visuals. They have partnered with Intel and Vice whose goals are in sync with one another to help fund artists’ endeavors.

The Experience

The Creators Project brought artists from around the world to showcase their exploration of interactivity through multimedia, audio & visuals. The melding of technology, art, music & the idea of interactivity is creating a whole new genre experience for Dumbo.

Sensory Experience

Soil by Cantoni & Crescenti brought Dumbo a down to earth aesthetic that explored senses normally un-activated by traditional art. Soil transformed viewers into characters and allows them explore the sense of collaboration, their sixth sense, sight, physical feeling, gravity and a heightened sense of self awareness. Soil, a social project about collaboration as an important aspect of interactivity, conveyed the message is that "together we are more powerful than the few and that one individual alone has a great impact in the collective." Cantoni said,

"Soil means nothing without the people. It’s just pieces of metal. The interactivity is important, it creates the experience."

The sensory experience that Soil created was so powerful, that guests would stop, close their eyes to sense something that words could not describe.

"This is not the art I am use to from museums. A curator could not tell me how to feel about this piece, I have a sensory experinece of my own!"

Motor Experience

Meditation by Minha Yang presented free form movement mixed with audio and visuals which showed versatility. It did not show the crowd what to do nor what to look at; instead it helped to open the viewers’ mind to possibilities. Taking viewers out of the viewers seat and into the drivers mind, viewers’ movements made the piece transform and turned the viewer into an artist. Passers by who thought they were simply viewing a display quickly learned that their presence brought what they were viewing to life and that their movement made it something more.

Dustin, who was charged with overseeing the piece all day witnessed how large movements had an effect, but was marveled that tiny hand movements and subtle shifts in body position created just as impactful results.

"It is simply interativity. None of this was possible 10 years ago! This piece shows what can be done. It’s like a giant Xbox it’s so cool. I wish art was more in the forefront of American society as most new media artists are mostly international. The diversity is great and it shows us that so much more can be done."

Crowd Experience

For three days, the streets, Dumbo businesses, and normally empty buildings in Dumbo were filled with people exploring art and technology. Some were not impressed with everything they saw. One couple expressed it as,

"It’s hit and miss here. Some pieces shot high but missed the bar, the ideas were awesome though, but we are really here for the music."

I later found them dancing under the bridge. Another person expressed her sentiments as such,

"This is great! This event is exposing interactive design as well as art in general. Viewers get the opportunity not just to engage, but to see how they can be creative as well."

Impressions of the Experience

"What is to be taken away from The Creators Project being here in Dumbo is that anything is possible. Even if it still in the idea phase, the public will embrace it and make of it what they will. It is no longer for artists to be in control, but to create and facilitate new experiences that triggers sensory experiences." –Danii Oliver

Thank you to the Dumbo Improvement District for working with The Creators Project to bring them to Dumbo! Post written by Danii Oliver, Interactive designer and developer. CDO of DAMN Digital Studio, an Interactive Agency in Dumbo Brooklyn.

The parking lot at 35 Front Street has been cleared out this morning and workers have loaded piles of dirt on the lot. This is the space where the controversial Dock Street building is being planned. However, the dirt is there for a Land Rover derby event this weekend, according to workers on site. People will be able to test drive a Land Rover. The dirt course will be cleaned up after the weekend for parking use.

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[ED: Parking in Dumbo has been a sore subject for Dumbo (as are in many neighborhoods in NYC that lack enough spaces for visitors, residents, and workers. Parking used to be easy to find in 2005 when the area did not have as many residents and businesses. As residents and businesses moved into the area and infrastructure/construction increased, parking has been a challenge for those who drive to Dumbo. But there's hope (aside from indoor/outdoor pay lots). Below are the techniques, as written by Danii Oliver, who commutes to Dumbo every day by car. Please note that parking regulations and signs may change without notice. Observe signs to confirm you are parked in a valid space.]

Sorry Dumbo, for the delay on last week’s secret revelation. I was delayed driving around looking for parking and was waiting in my car for alternate side parking to end. Now that its over let me share my secrets to finding parking in Dumbo with you!

Over the past 6 months I have been driving to work here in Dumbo. At first I had trouble finding parking which made getting to work on time very difficult. However, with time I learned the area and began to formulate a system.

This is a 6 day a week parking schedule that reduces driving around time and can get you in the office by 10:05 AM. Since I am revealing my secret it is imperative that you do two things 1.) Don’t take my spot LOL! and 2.) Be on time for parking not just work. You should plan to arrive in Dumbo around 9 AM to get a space.

Post written by Danii Oliver, Interactive designer and developer. CDO of DAMN Digital Studio, an Interactive Agency. *Please note parking signs may change without notice.*

Related:
{DOT Reverses Story on No Parking Sign, 02Sep2006}
{New Street Parking Spots in Dumbo, 24Aug2007}
{Front Street Parking Regulations Update, 06Nov2007}
{Watch for Updated Parking Regulations in Dumbo, 04Apr2008}
{New Parking Regulations On Front Street, 24Nov2008}
{Outdoor Parking on Old Fulton to Close, 22Apr2009}
{Outdoor Parking in Dumbo, 29Jun2009}
{Parking in Front of 70 Front St, 29Jun2009}

{Past Parking articles on DumboNYC}

45 Main Street is closed today due to a fire last night, causing lost power, according to the Two Trees Management Twitter message above. There are reports of a water main break due to hydrant usage causing flooding as well. Tenants of the building are asked to call 718-625-5505 for more information.

[UPDATE: Two Trees phones are not working, so tenants are asked to access your Workspeed account for updated info.]

[UPDATE2: Starbucks on Front and Main Street is also closed.]

[UPDATE3: Starbucks has been reopened. Power has been restored and 45 Main Street will reopen at 8am on Thu, Oct 13.]

This weekend, PowerHouse Arena is hosting an event titled “Nonfiction for Kids: A Triple Reading about Subway Trains, Heroic Dogs, and Science Experiments.” The event will feature three titles: 11 Experiments that Failed, Subway Story, and The Incredible Life of Balto (ages 4-8).

What happens to a subway car when it’s too old to carry passengers? Can a kid live off snow and ketchup for the rest of her life? What became of Balto, the celebrity dog, after the flashbulbs faded? Julia Sarcone-Roach (Subway Story), Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter (11 Experiments That Failed), and Meghan McCarthy (The Incredible Life of Balto) have all created picture books that answer one of these questions, and they’ll be reading and signing them at powerHouse.

Sunday, October 9, 2011, 4–5 PM
The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main Street (corner of Water & Main St.), DUMBO, Brooklyn
For more information, please call 718.666.3049
RSVP: kids@powerHouseArena.com

Episode 7: Ken Goto of Jacques Torres Chocolate (mrchocolate.com)
Directed by Jim Baker
Created by David Castillo
Produced by Blue Barn Pictures, Inc. on vimeo

In this episode of Crossing Dumbo, Blue Barn Pictures interviews Ken Goto, a business partner at the popular chocolate shop, Jacques Torres Chocolate. Jacques Torres and Ken Goto have been operating in Dumbo for over ten years and a supporter of the Dumbo neighborhood’s retail growth. Ken talks about how he got started in the business and why he and Jacques fell in love with Dumbo.

Crossing Dumbo, a web series of video portraits of artists, entrepreneurs and residents in Dumbo Brooklyn. This is a collaboration between DumboNYC and our talented friends over at Blue Barn Pictures. Different directors from Blue Barn Pictures, a creative content agency, bring their own approach to each interview to create a distinct profile of the person being interviewed and place them within the Dumbo community. The group at Blue Barn Pictures truly love what they do and support the community in a positive way, and for that we’re grateful to have them be a part of Dumbo.

During the 2011 Dumbo Art Festival last week, Blue Barn Pictures showcased the Crossing Dumbo videos at their studio. A new website for Crossing Dumbo crossingdumbo.com was also released last week. (photos courtesy of Blue Barn Pictures):

{DumboNYC.com/category/crossing-dumbo/}

The now famous $23.5million penthouse apartment at 1 Main Street has been chosen as Esquire magazine’s Ultimate Bachelor Pad. The 7,000 square foot three story penthouse plus 400 sq. ft. private interior and exterior roof deck will be featured at exclusive celebrity and charity events throughout the fall season. This year’s opening gala, which benefits the Fresh Air Fund, is set to take place on Thursday, October 13th.

Related:
{Esquire to Fill Brooklyn’s Priciest Pad With Sexy Ghost, 26Sep2011, Curbed}
{Dumbo Clock Tower penthouse to become Esquire magazine bachelor pad, 26Sep2011, The Real Deal}
{1 Main Street Penthouse Back on the Market for $23.5M, 15Apr2011}
{New Co-Exclusive Listing for 1 Main Street PH, 01Feb2010}

Press Release after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »

Dumbo Area

Dumbo is a neighborhood north of Downtown Brooklyn under the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. The area is right at the waterfront of Pier 1 which is now the site of the amazing Brooklyn Bridge Park that features the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory, River Cafe restaurant, a merry go round and tons of out grass to layout on and relax.

Dumbo vs. Manhattan

Dumbo is the home of more than 88 digital and design companies with lots of other industries represented. Dumbo looks and feels just like the city with it being only a walk across the bridge away or one stop on the subway. The difference with Dumbo, Brooklyn from Manhattan is, in Manhattan a small company can easily get lost in the clutter. There are thousands and thousands of firms in the city and everyone is too busy to stop and talk, let alone notice what the next guy is doing. In Manhattan a small company is just another straw in the hay stack.

No Strangers

Dumbo is not the kind of city neighborhood where you see strangers everyday. We know the companies by the names of it’s owners and employees. We mingle more than once a month at Digital Dumbo and Dumbo Tech Breakfast. We offer each other advice and assistance without consideration of competition. The companies here in Dumbo work collaboratively toward the benefit of all stationed here.

Set for Success

In Dumbo just as a “Tree grows in Brooklyn” a “Young firm goes strong in Dumbo”. It is a NYC neighborhood filled with Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs who are motivated to make their companies a success as well as others around them. These individuals love their work and thus love their lives. Any new or small company that decides to set up shop should consider Dumbo, Brooklyn first.

In the words of Mr. Rogers, “Would you be mine, could you be mine, won’t you be my neighbor?”

Post written by Danii Oliver, Interactive designer and developer. CDO of DAMN Digital Studio, an Interactive Agency.

(Photo by Josh Derr)

Ditch Plains Drop-In, the concession at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 by Marc Murphy just started offering delivery to the Dumbo area from 11am. Now you can get one of their hot dogs (ditch dog, chili dog, sloppy dog), sloppy joes, lobster rolls, or one of their tasty wraps delivered to your home or office. Check out their menu online.

They are offering 15% off your first order (just mention you saw this on DumboNYC). Delivery zone includes, north to Plymouth Street, south to Cranberry Street, east to Washington Street.

Ditch Plains delivery menu (PDF)
Brooklyn Complex’s review of Ditch Plains

Welcome to the Dumbo Arts Festival! If you haven’t been here before, directions are below, courtesy of Dumbo Arts Fesetival. Full schedule of events are listed on dumboartsfestival.com.

If you’re looking for some food and drink choices, here are some suggestions:

Dining:

• Almar (v.good Italian dinner and brunch), 111 Front Street
• Bubby’s (American dining), 1 Main Street
• Miso Sushi, 40 Main Street
• Pedro’s Spanish American Restaurant, (neighborhood Mexican bar/restaurant) 73 Jay Street
• Pub One (Pub dining and bar food), 5 Front Street
• Rice (pan-Asian), 81 Washington Street
• Water Street Restaurant, (Southern American), 66 Water Street
• The Gallery Cafe (Mediterranean cuisine), 108 Jay Street
• Superfine, (Local/organic American restaurant/bar), 126 Front Street

Pizza:

• Front Street Pizza (NY-style pizza), 80 Front Street (at Washington St)
• Wild Rise (Neapolitan pizza), at 68 Jay Street Bar

Coffee/Dessert:

• Almondine Bakery (French bakery and cafe), 85 Water Street
• Archway Cafe (coffee and sandwiches), 57 Pearl Street
• Baco Cafe (coffee and sandwiches), 71 Jay Street
• Brooklyn Roasting Company (best coffee in Dumbo), 25 Jay Street
• Jacques Torres Chocolates (66 Water Street) and Jacques Torres Ice Cream (62 Water Street)
• Starbucks (coffee, duh), 67 Front Street
• The Best Chocolate Cake (really is the best), 68 Jay Street

Deli/Grocery:

• Bridge Fresh Market, 68 Jay Street
• Foragers Market, 56 Adams Street
• Peas N Pickles grocery, 55 Washington Street (at Front St)
• 7 Stars Deli, 59 Front Street

Bars:

• 68 Jay Street Bar, 68 Jay Street (at Water St)
• Almar, 111 Front Street
• Pedro’s Spanish American Restaurant, 73 Jay Street
• ReBar, 147 Front Street
• Superfine, 126 Front Street

The Dumbo Arts Festival spans the neighborhood of DUMBO, Brooklyn between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, including the Waterfront. Parking is scarce and public transportation is encouraged, though if driving, use 45 Main Street as a GPS terminus. Biking or walking over either bridge is also a great way to arrive from the West.

BY SUBWAY
F to York Street
Make a right when exiting the train station. Make a left onto York Street, walk 3 blocks to Washington Street and turn left on Front Street or Water Street

A/C to High Street

Walk downhill toward the Brooklyn Bridge on Cadman Plaza West to Old Fulton Street. Bear left on Old Fulton Street and follow it until it ends at the pier or make a right on Front Street

2/3 to Clark Street
Exit the station and make a left onto Henry Street. Turn left on Old Fulton Street and follow it until it ends at the pier, or make a right on Water Street.

BY BUS
Take the B25 to the corner of Water Street and Main Street.

BY FERRY
NEW YORK WATERWAY’S EAST RIVER FERRY operates to and from the Fulton Ferry Landing from several locations along the Manhattan and Brooklyn waterfronts and Hoboken, NJ. Also, the New York Water Taxi operates from South Street Seaport. Exit the Ferry Landing onto Water Street and walk north