Take a bunch of friends, one empty warehouse, some scraps from Craigslist and one ultimate goal, put them together and you have the Fishtown Collective. The group will open its space this Saturday night for an opening gala featuring an art show and some of the best bands Philadelphia has to offer.
In preparation for the big night we spoke with Jill Long, one of the members of the collective about the inspirations for the project, how they booked the show and why you should come out on Saturday night and help kick off one of the coolest projects in the city today.
Phrequency: What makes the Fishtown Collective a true collective?
Jill Long: The fact that what has come of Fishtown Collective would not exist if one of the individuals who dedicated their time were not a part of it. It’s a collective of people, art, ideas- everything. From the beginning, we knew the budget was tight and we would have to fundraise and really get creative with using what we had. Also, we were Craigslist hawks. A lot of what you’ll see on Saturday is collective scraps of what people wanted to get rid of and what we made work; that’s art.
P: What were your inspirations in taking this project on and creating this space?
JL: There are countless inspirations. Each of us view and have been impacted by art in our lives in completely different ways. Each of us sees Philadelphia, it’s art community, and it’s potential and areas that need attention in differing ways. We’ve looked at other generations of young people and the impact they’ve created just by literally DOING it. We saw what we had to work with, were all on the same wavelength, and just started doing it. I think the energy that we all bring to the collective continuously inspires the project and the heads running it.
P: Who planted the original seeds?
JL: Will has been using a room in the warehouse for years as a practice space. The idea of doing some sort of a show with the unused space was tossed around between Will and his dad for some time, but a dedicated team wasn’t there to organize the project. I don’t know, maybe it was fate that made the brains of Fishtown Collective become friends within the past year or two. I remember meeting Will and Victor in our freshman year dormitory, Kat through her roommate this past summer, and Max and Rob through mutual friends. The idea of the space was tossed around between Will and Victor and they approached me. Kat, Rob and Max were the obvious friends who are best at what they do respectively and who were just as thrilled and dedicated to making Fishtown Collective become a reality.
P: How did you decide what bands would play the opening gala this weekend?
JL: Similar music interests, the want for a diverse musical selection for Saturday, and being friends with bands that are becoming somewhat reputable. There was research and we contacted a lot of bands and found their schedules online. We went out in January and February and listened to a lot of local Philadelphia bands that we thought would be good for the opening night. These bands have been playing for a while now and have played at plenty of other venues in the city, we’re just lucky they didn’t call us crazy for asking them to play in a what was empty, dirty warehouse. Thanks guys!
P: Why Fishtown?
JL: Fishtown is great because it’s not completely artistically developed like some areas of Philly. This project wouldn’t be what it is if we were in the middle of Old City. It’s not necessarily a clean slate, but a slate that allows some artistic freedom- it has a distinct personality and energy that attracts artists and others with similar ideas. Also, a good amount of those involved live in Fishtown, so we’re familiar with the area and saw this project as something that could be fun, new and beneficial for everyone.
P: What challenges have you faced so far in putting this all together?
JL: Mainly time constraints. Everyone involved has their own daily agenda- work, class, shows, practice, and other commitments. Arranging times to meet and work while maintaining good communication was hard, but we’ve adjusted a lot of things and made it work.
P: What is the ultimate goal of the collective?
JL: Keep on keepin’ on! Allowing and welcoming change and attracting everyone who is interested in looking around, contributing their art, or has an idea. Maintaining the meaning of the word ‘Collective’ in perspective as time changes, and not forgetting the roots of Fishtown Collective and the process that it has been and making sure it’s always a positive, fun place to be.
P: What would be the perfect art exhibition and musical event to have and pair together?
JL: Hahaha- Kat, Victor and I discussed these questions earlier tonight and I love Kat’s response too much to give my own: “The ideal music/art scenario?! Starting with people playing some steel drums on the floor of the warehouse with people on trapezes with paint brushes and huge buckets of paint being thrown on the wall and the floor. On the floor, tons of paint brushes for anyone to use and react to the drums, trapeze and paint. A capella singing and mask making also contributing and reacting to the overall scene, with everyone kind of making their own experience out of the whole scenario.” I think that pretty much sums up ideal.
P: Why should Joe Shmoe come to the Fishtown Collective this Saturday and in general?
JL: Why not?! Come for the energy of the place and the good vibrations. Come see artwork of about 10 various artists from around the city, Come see the incredible work that middle schoolers involved with City Year have done for May 9 and for their own ‘friends and family’ gallery on May 21, come hear some local bands make some pretty damn good music, come meet someone new with similar interests, come see if you think you have anything to contribute- I can’t think of a reason not to!
The Fishtown Collective will hold its first expression of culture on May 9th, 2009 in an event titled The Fishtown Collective presents: A New Philadelphia. Starting with a gallery showing of fine art from up and coming artists from 7pm-8:30 P.M.
At 8:30 the Fishtown Collective will feature concert by the bands Toy Soldiers, The Armchairs, You Me and T. Rex, and Korf means Tiger. The gala event will run until approximately 11:30 P.M.
