FAR and Away Residency Recap: Christopher Kardambikis
Christopher Kardambikis spent the week of February 19-24 as the FAR and Away Resident Artist at the Facility for Arts Research. Christopher travelled from Alexandria, VA where he is Assistant Professor at George Mason University. His research interests in sci-fi and mythology take form in his printmaking, book arts, zines, and podcast production.
The FAR and Away Residency is envisioned as a vehicle for supporting a visiting artist’s research by forging connections with faculty from across the university. With the help of the CFA, FAR funds a week-long visit and provides a home base for the artist. The residency’s focus is idea generation through interactions with FSU artists and scholars through shared research topics. The FAR and Away Resident presents their work publicly in a FAR Research Night where students and attendees have the chance for one-on-one conversations with the artist.
Christopher’s week was full of the interactions described above. He met with art faculty and students through a visit to Denise Bookwalter’s Printed Book class where he contributed material for an upcoming issue of Small Craft Advisory Press‘ Oyster Boat. Christopher also compared notes with John Mann about their mutual experiences with Risograph printers. Transitioning out of the art department, Christopher met with Russ Franklin to talk about pedagogy related to courses based in comics and graphic novels. He made it to the other side of campus to speak with Virginia Lewis in the Classics Department to explore an idea for a series of comics based on Greek myths.
Christopher’s visit was timed to coincide with the Tallahassee Zine Fest. He spent Saturday, Feb. 23rd talking with participants in the Zine Fest and recording interviews for his podcast, Paper Cuts which documents the world of zines and DIY publishing.
The FAR and Away Residency is being documented in part by Kevin Curry interviewing the artists for his podcast. Watch for announcements indicating when these will be released.
There was a full house for Christopher’s presentation. In an effort to keep the conversational feel of the rest of his visit, he chose to break from the standard artist talk format and use the space more like a reading circle, both projecting images and passing books and zines through the audience.
Olivia Valentine will be the next FAR and Away Resident. The Research Night featuring her work will be Thursday, April 4th at 7PM.