Beyond The Glass (Thanks to The Streets Volume Two Unveiled)
Nick returns to the podcast to discuss the upcoming second edition of "Thanks to the Streets," an art show that highlights street photography and local artists. With a goal of making art more accessible, Nick shares his plans to feature smaller, affordable pieces, encouraging attendees to engage with the art and possibly take something home. He reflects on the lessons learned from last year's show, emphasizing the importance of organization and building trust within the underground art community. The conversation touches on the significance of street art and its often-overlooked value, challenging the perception of what constitutes art. As the event approaches, Nick expresses excitement for the new collaborations and the opportunity to showcase a diverse range of artistic voices in a unique setting at Frank's Chop Shop.
@rocstreetphoto
Mentioned in this episode:
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Transcript
Guest, why don't you introduce yourself to being beyond the Glass?
Nick Cook:Yeah, it's Nick Cook, Rock street photo on Instagram and all other platforms that I don't use.
Nick Cook:And we're gearing up for year two of thanks to the Streets.
Co-host:You know, what I was thinking about on the way into the studio today was that when we started this beyond the Glass, I think Nick was one of the first guests.
Co-host:It was around this time and you were doing, um, the same.
Co-host:It was the show, the, the first, the first edition of this show.
Co-host:So it's interesting to kind of come, come back around and not many folks are two time or three time guests and you know, welcome back to the studio.
Nick Cook:Yeah, thanks.
Host:Yeah.
Host:And almost nothing has changed for you in the last year.
Host:Q.
Host:So, like, not at all.
Host:Um, so what, what, what I'm kind of interested in, Nick, is after, you know, having a whole year going through it the first time.
Host:What, you know, what are the things that you look back on now that you're looking to change for the second edition.
Co-host:In the next four days?
Nick Cook:Yeah, the last rendition was me, like, people that I affiliated with or helped me out with some stuff, and I literally asked them to like, hey, be in this gallery.
Nick Cook:You know, it's me thanking you.
Nick Cook:Let's get your stuff out there and go from there.
Nick Cook:This year, kind of in the same realm, but I reached out some to some people that I, you know, never really spoken to, stuff like that.
Nick Cook:So every year I'm trying to get it bigger and bigger.
Nick Cook:Double, double.
Nick Cook:If I have to outgrow the space.
Nick Cook:I.
Nick Cook:I would.
Nick Cook:I signed on actually for year three already, so.
Host:Wow.
Nick Cook:Next year we'll have the same conversation.
Co-host:It's like a TV show getting renewed before the.
Nick Cook:Yeah, it's just renewal.
Co-host:First episode of the season.
Co-host:Yeah.
Host:You're already out to season four book time.
Nick Cook:Yeah, I mean, I actually had to turn a few people down because I didn't have space.
Co-host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:So it was just like, well, now we can get it going early and I don't have to scramble myself into, you know, do three months worth of work in three days and stuff like that.
Host:I think that's kind of a good thing too, is now that there's demand, now you can really focus on how you want to, you know, what you want to do for the next time.
Host:Because you know, you have participants.
Nick Cook:Yeah, yeah.
Nick Cook:So like this time, like last time, I had different photography and just, you know, there was street photography and portraits and stuff like that.
Nick Cook:Like this year on the photography aspect, it's, you know, me, a group of other photographers, only 5 by 7 inch photos.
Host:Oh really?
Host:So that is a little bit different.
Nick Cook:So there's going to be, you know, graffiti pieces and other art pieces.
Nick Cook:So you got like the handmade is going to be in an area, but photography for this show is, you know, a little different.
Nick Cook:Try to get affordable pictures out there.
Nick Cook:Because a lot of people come to art shows, see stuff and go, that's way too expensive or that's.
Nick Cook:I don't have the money to spend right there.
Nick Cook:So you might get someone going, oh, hey, you know, I can definitely splurge on $45 and get a little picture, put it on my desk.
Nick Cook:And now it's a conversation starter.
Nick Cook:And that's kind of my logic on that one.
Host:No, it's pretty cool.
Host:I mean, making things accessible to people that are starting down this path is I think a really, a really good goal in many ways.
Nick Cook:And I could fit more small photos so it's like I don't have to limit the amount of photographers.
Nick Cook:Like I can still, I, I still probably have space for some photographers if they want to hop on.
Nick Cook:Like I didn't announce everyone when it comes to both the photography and the street artists in it.
Nick Cook:So I still have a little bit of wiggle room, but nothing, no room for anything big.
Nick Cook:Yeah, I'm max.
Co-host:I think it's, I think it's great that you did the, I mean I, you know, a lot of shows that are out there that kind of have the, they max out space.
Co-host:So they say, well, you know, like Roko, six by six, like that's it.
Co-host:Or you know, during their member show, they kind of limit the space.
Co-host:I think it was great when you were like, oh, we're doing, you know, the photography, they're going to be this size and then kind of given room for other folks to kind of jump on with their, you know, larger pieces, smaller pieces, whatever, in terms of the, the artists, you know, that are, that are creating.
Co-host:So yeah, you want to tell us a little bit about some of the folks that are, that are in the show?
Nick Cook:We have some returners from last year.
Nick Cook:Who do we have that's returning specifically?
Host:Oh, he's got a whole, he's got a whole spreadsheet.
Nick Cook:I got a little, I got a little cheat sheet.
Nick Cook:There's a Little Soares returning.
Nick Cook:He was there last year.
Nick Cook:Who else?
Nick Cook:Nova, no Fun Zone City, Kitty.
Nick Cook:Austin's doing all my design work again and he's going to have something in the show that's awesome.
Nick Cook:On the wall, delirious.
Nick Cook:True.
Nick Cook:Matt Vanderly's gonna put a piece in.
Nick Cook:He's also helping me with all the behind the scenes effort stuff.
Nick Cook:And then Julian Trencini is another returner Taste, who painted that and Joey Palladino on the artist portion are returners.
Nick Cook:And then I don't know, there's some.
Host:You say you got a big old list in front of you.
Nick Cook:Yeah, it's overwhelming list if you want to, you know, take a peek at it yourself.
Host:Yeah, no, that's.
Host:That's wild.
Host:I mean that, that's, that's a lot of organizing.
Host:So when it comes to, you know, when it comes to the lessons you learn from setting up a show like this, like I can tell your organization, I'm sure has changed over the last year because like this is like you almost have to with this many people have it all listed out.
Nick Cook:I start with just scratch paper.
Nick Cook:So I'm idea name down.
Nick Cook:You can see on this list, you look at names, they're not actual names.
Nick Cook:Some of them are just my head names for whoever.
Nick Cook:And then from there I'll contact, check mark for contacted, circle for confirmed.
Nick Cook:And then once that paper gets overwhelming, I throw it on the computer and go from there and then same thing, print it out.
Nick Cook:Got more check marks, contacted them, confirmation.
Host:Nice.
Co-host:I love that in the notes here it's like notes going down.
Co-host:So I'm not going to read all the notes but down here at the bottom it says your name.
Co-host:And then in the notes it says has beard.
Co-host:Yes.
Co-host:So just Matt.
Nick Cook:Matt's is good too.
Co-host:And his is hung.
Co-host:Well is for Matt, you know, because.
Nick Cook:He has the hungmel arts.
Co-host:Yeah, I love it.
Co-host:But yeah, has beard.
Host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:That's all you need to know.
Nick Cook:Full wisdom in this.
Co-host:I don't know if the notes are for you or for others.
Nick Cook:Yeah, actually for me I forget sometimes.
Host:Yeah, that's very common.
Host:For me it's just like I see the sub note is like Chris has beard.
Host:Chris talks a lot.
Co-host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:So the sub notes are actually just like when I stare at a computer screen.
Nick Cook:I hate it.
Nick Cook:So if I'm trying to type anything up, it's like little joke.
Nick Cook:And for just for myself.
Host:Yeah, that's fair.
Co-host:Yeah, that's perfect.
Co-host:I looked down and I was like, oh man, look at all these great names.
Co-host:And Then I see in the notes section as beard.
Co-host:That's great.
Co-host:So what are you.
Co-host:What are you most excited about with this with year two, it being done?
Co-host:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Nick Cook:I've been.
Nick Cook:I mean, I've been mentally working on it for a year.
Co-host:Yeah.
Co-host:I mean, I think I remember.
Co-host:I remember before the show was even over halfway over last year, like, yeah, I'm going to do another one.
Co-host:Yeah.
Co-host:So, like, kind of having.
Nick Cook:I mean, I put volume one last year for a reason.
Co-host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:Like give myself reason to do volume two.
Co-host:Yeah.
Co-host:Just have that wiggle room.
Nick Cook:And then like with this, the sheet, you know, it's a big sheet, but 17 of those names were on it.
Nick Cook:The first day I asked around, I sent 25 messages out.
Nick Cook:Within three hours I had 17.
Co-host:That's awesome.
Co-host:That's awesome.
Host:Yeah.
Host:And I think that's, that's part of that whole experience, though, is doing the second time and you're getting the chance to really work through it all.
Host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:Last year it was just showing everyone I'm not a copy.
Nick Cook:And then now this year it's like, no, he's obviously not a cop because, like.
Host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:So building that trust within, you know, different underground style communities is.
Co-host:It's tough, but no, for sure, because.
Nick Cook:I mean, someone's got to do it, right?
Co-host:I mean, obviously, you know, a lot of these folks are on the list as alias, and if you know them in real life, you know them in real life.
Co-host:But most of them are.
Co-host:Are listed by their alias, and it's their alias for a reason, because in many cases, their street pieces or not, you know, they're not sanctioned, if you will.
Co-host:Right.
Nick Cook:And so like, those two that are blacked out there, like right there, this one's just going to be all question marks, for sure.
Co-host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:And might not even be for sale, but that one for sure, I met up with this morning.
Co-host:And yeah, I mean, that's the, that's the cool thing about the anonymity of, of street art and, you know, taking photos of their work or, you know, kind of creating these connections with them, but also being, you know, mindful and respectful of, like, I'm not going to dime out your locations.
Co-host:I'm not going of, you know, dime you out who you are and take a photo of you and, you know, kind of you want to be your alias.
Co-host:That's who you are, and that's, you know, kind of should be respected.
Nick Cook:Yeah.
Nick Cook:One of them was like, basically a heavy no until I met him in person and told him, like, hey, like, it doesn't even have to be for sale.
Nick Cook:Like, you can just give me something and I'll display it from my personal collection.
Nick Cook:Like, it's not a cop.
Co-host:No, it's.
Co-host:Right.
Nick Cook:I asked who he was and he was like, who are you?
Nick Cook:And I'm like this.
Nick Cook:And he's like, oh, okay, okay, fair enough.
Host:Yeah.
Host:And it's.
Host:I think that's always a challenge with so many different things.
Host:But I gotta say, like, you know, from last year, now transitioning all this, all the art in the studio to being local now I have a piece that you helped help me get hanging on the wall over there, which I'm like so thrilled to have sitting in the studio and because I.
Host:This is.
Host:Being around, this has been all new to me and, you know, seeing all the relationships you've built and continuing to grow and expand on in the last even year, seeing all.
Host:Seeing that list, like, that's a.
Host:That's a huge undertaking.
Nick Cook:I like to go big with things.
Nick Cook:And yeah, if someone doesn't enjoy it, I don't really care if you don't like.
Nick Cook:It's more for me.
Nick Cook:I mean, not like selfishly for me, but like, it's.
Nick Cook:I enjoy it.
Nick Cook:So why not let other people come enjoy things?
Nick Cook:Like, see the detail that some of these artists put into their work that you wouldn't see because you're just driving by it.
Host:Yeah, yeah.
Host:Put out the.
Host:Put out the plugs for the event again, because I'm not sure we did it right up top before we finish up.
Co-host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:It's the Friday 1st.
Nick Cook:Friday, November, 5 to 9pm November 1st.
Host:Yep.
Nick Cook:November 1st, 5 to 9pm at Frank's Chop Shop.
Host:Yeah.
Host:Which is right on.
Host:Right on East Ave.
Host:Right next to Roco.
Host:So that's.
Host:You can, you know, go to two different spots and check out, you know, a completely different vibe from one place to another, but both people putting on a curated show of things that they care about a lot.
Nick Cook:Yeah.
Co-host:And I think the cool thing about Frank's, for example, is they're not your.
Co-host:I mean, it's a barbershop, right.
Co-host:With the, with the shop in the back.
Co-host:But they're not your standard gallery.
Co-host:Right.
Co-host:And so they're showing pieces that will probably never be shown in your, you know, running a mill gallery.
Co-host:There are some.
Co-host:You know, I think every piece that, every show that I've seen there, every piece that I've seen there has been incredible.
Co-host:But those aren't always going to be pieces that are, you know, welcomed into your established art spaces because, you know, Maybe the person doesn't, you know, fit the bill.
Co-host:Maybe they're not willing to use their name.
Co-host:And so, like, you can't use an alias in some spaces and things like that.
Co-host:So I think, you know, what they've created there and then kind of what they've allowed other folks to come in and curate.
Co-host:Obviously this show, being one of them as a.
Co-host:As a group show is really cool.
Co-host:And what they're doing is, you know, it's always.
Co-host:I know you said five to nine, but I don't think I've ever been at Frank's.
Co-host:And it ends at nine.
Nick Cook:Yeah, no, nine o'clock.
Nick Cook:Just like the work.
Co-host:Close.
Nick Cook:But, like, if you see.
Nick Cook:If you see people coming in, come in.
Nick Cook:I mean, I'll stay as long as he'll let me.
Co-host:Yeah, I don't think it's like, you know, if I'm trying to bounce around a lot of places, sometimes I make franks the last bit because I know that I can get in, you know, closer to that time last year, I.
Nick Cook: ed the door, like just before: Co-host:Yeah.
Host:Yeah.
Host:And it is a good hang, too.
Host:And it's.
Host:I think it's.
Host:One of the great things about what First Friday has become over time is you can get completely different vibes at, you know, a dozen different places or 18 or 20 or more different places.
Host:And what you're bringing to that with this event, like, is a real celebration of these things because you care about it so much.
Nick Cook:Right.
Nick Cook:And it's.
Nick Cook:And it's great time of year for it too, because, like, the weather's getting colder, so there's going to be less writing going on.
Nick Cook:Like, you'll be walking around.
Nick Cook:It's.
Nick Cook:You're going to see the same stuff because no, paint's not going to stick.
Nick Cook:So.
Co-host:Right.
Nick Cook:Go.
Nick Cook:Go see it at a gallery if you can.
Nick Cook:And luckily people here get to.
Host:Yeah.
Co-host:And I think the cool part too, and we've talked about this in the past, is that, you know, a lot of street artists get dinged because they're just creating in the street.
Co-host:So they're like, oh, that's not.
Co-host:Is that art?
Co-host:Is it not art?
Co-host:And I'm like, I think sometimes it's.
Co-host:It's more difficult to create because they have to watch over their shoulder.
Co-host:They have a limited amount of time.
Co-host:So it's not like, hey, I'm going to be in a studio creating for days and hours and come back to it.
Co-host:It's like, I got to create this piece and also have to look over my shoulder the whole time.
Co-host:And also, you know, there's a, there's a window of time and so.
Co-host:And then, you know, kind of transitioning some of those pieces into, you know, some studio art or kind of seeing that people appreciate it and want to photograph it.
Host:Right.
Co-host:I think about tag Tuesdays all the time and how that's kind of grown and grown and grown over time with, you know, people seeing something that maybe didn't pay attention to it before, but then they're following one of the people that are participating and they're like, oh, that's kind of cool.
Co-host:I never noticed this tag or that's interesting.
Co-host:And that is an interesting piece of art, so to speak.
Co-host:And I know some street folks are like, no, I don't call it art.
Co-host:But, you know, it is to some regard, it is definitely art and should be appreciated in that way.
Co-host:And I think a lot of people see it and they just kind of write it off as not classically trained or you didn't get permission for that, so who gives you the right to do it?
Co-host:And I mean, that's really the cooler piece of it that you don't have to have permission.
Co-host:I'm just going to create this thing.
Co-host:You're not going to tell me what to do.
Nick Cook:And it's all down to the age old.
Nick Cook:What is art?
Co-host:Right, Right.
Nick Cook:It's perspective of whatever.
Nick Cook:It might not be art to you, it's art to me.
Nick Cook:So I'm going to put it on art walls and make you give you an artist resume.
Co-host:Yeah.
Nick Cook:I mean, there's, I don't know, probably half a dozen, if not more on that list that have never thought about putting anything in a gallery.
Host:Well, and I think that's, I think your point is exactly right.
Host:If you don't know if you think this is art, show up.
Host:Yeah, show up and really look at it.
Host:Show up.
Host:Spend the time with it.
Host:You know, really pay attention to what's going on.
Host:See the expression of what people are trying to say.
Host:Look at all the different things.
Nick Cook:Yeah.
Host:Some of it's just fun.
Nick Cook:Right.
Host:And some of it has a lot of meaning to the people who are doing it.
Co-host:Yeah.
Co-host:Look at, I look at this, I look at this list and see some names that, you know, like, talk it up.
Co-host:Right.
Co-host:And so his pieces are in a lot of different spaces right now.
Co-host:And some people may not even know that's him, but, you know, he has, you know, quite the resume, if you will, of where his work is reached.
Co-host:And then what he's doing with some of his work now and kind of pushing the envelope.
Co-host:You know, Nova is another great example of, you know, someone who was getting up like five, six times a week doesn't do it so much now.
Co-host:And so he's kind of repurposed some of that and creating these, like, masterful collages of that work.
Co-host:And so if you tell me that's not art, I don't know what you're.
Co-host:You're talking about, you know, City Kitty and, like, you know, coming back to Rochester, but then all the work that he's doing in New York and, you know, overseas.
Nick Cook:And you just had his solo show in Philly, right?
Co-host:Yeah, just had a solo show in Philly.
Co-host:You know, you look at range, you look at, you know, there's some names on this list that change.
Co-host:Like, these are folks that are.
Co-host:Sure, they're in the streets doing pieces, but then they've also straddle that line a bit.
Co-host:But you can't say it's not art, regardless of where it is.
Co-host:So.
Host:Yeah.
Host:Well, that's awesome.
Host:I think we're going to do.
Host:We're going to wrap up this episode of beyond the Glass.
Host:If you want to go out and check out the second edition, volume two of thanks to the Streets first.
Co-host:That's not the right.
Co-host:Yeah, first.
Host:First Friday at Frank's Chop Shop, 5 to 9, November 1st.
Host:Yeah, yeah, November 1st, 5 to 9.
Host:And, you know, show up, spend some time, learn about what's really going on in Rochester and beyond with this kind of artwork.
Host:If you're not already inside of this scene, it's worth your time.
Host:It's worth your time to learn anything else.
Host:We need to let them know before we close out.
Nick Cook:Nick, I think that gets it.
Nick Cook:That covers it.
Nick Cook:But I mean, there's knowing, obviously, seeing the stuff coming in, like, there's going to be some really good deals.
Nick Cook:Like, there might be some stuff that you can get that you'd be like, okay, I didn't know I could get something like this for that price.
Nick Cook:And it can open a lot of doors for some people.
Host:Awesome.
Host:Show up early.
Host:Find the thing you like.
Host:So thanks, everybody, for tuning into this episode of beyond the Glass.
Host:If you're interested in learning more about the shows on the Lunchadore Podcast network, go to lunchadore.org to check out all of the shows.
Host:There's even more coming soon.
Host:So see you out on the streets at Frank's chop shop on November 1st.
Host:And we'll be back next time with more beyond the glass.
Host:This has been a presentation of the Lunchador Podcast Network.
Host:Am I no fun?
Host:Yes.
Host:This is my zone, and I don't want any part of fun.
Nick Cook:Yeah.
