Current Piece: Vice. CalM, Quave, and Marcel 2013
MARCEL
BRAUN and
PROJECT
33 A
week prior to the March 2013
the project is difficult.” He started. “The
After we spoke about what Marcel would
C.H.A.M.P.S. show in Las Vegas, I
underlying theme is rebuilding community.
like from me he handed me over to The
received a phone call from the
We have realized that there needs to be
Mayor for the tour and introductions. When
legendary Marcel Braun, founder of Living
a catalyst for change to move forward,
The Mayor and I walked into the shop, I
Glass Works and Project 33. He relayed to
and we must wholeheartedly accept this
was completely blown away. In this one
me that he had a Goosefire Gallery show
as our mission and duty. The world has
room were some of the most talented and
coming up and he would like my permission
become a place of corporate greed and
innovative glass artist in the world. Dellene
to use a photo that I had taken on the
fabrication; the quality of craftsmanship
Peralta, Arron Siverson, Rob Davis and
event’s flyer. Of course, I immediately said
has diminished steadily over the last 40
Eli Howell, all shop mates at Living Glass
“Yes.” While attending C.H.A.M.P.S. I had
years. Planned obsolescence has become
Works. There was Mike and Deb Philpot,
the honor of meeting Marcel himself. He
a main factor in product design. People
Alex Ubatuba and Quave from Mothership.
thanked me for the picture, gave me the
are accepting the accumulation of money
Calvin “CalM” Mickel; Matty White, founder
flyer for his gallery show, and invited me to
alone as a good enough reason to expend
of MW Studios; Herb and Kraig, founders
Living Glass Works to take part in Project 33
community resources.” After a twenty
of Borofarm/In da house; Matt DuBois
after C.H.A.M.P.S., if I was interested.
minute car ride, we arrived at Project 33
from RAD Glass; Stucky; Daniel “Action
I honestly had no idea what I was signing
Headquarters also known as The Land of
Hippie” Kimmelman of Moon Tower Glass;
up for.
Awesome, home of Living Glass Works
Buck; Bishop; WyomingMoFo; Trev; BuFo;
and Project 33’s Starship base camp. As
Evan Braun and the Party-Kart. Everyone
After a two hour flight, I was in Eugene,
we pull in the yard, the operation is in full
collaborating together. In total, there were
Orgeon. I was met by Marcel and Chris
motion. We went in the house and sat on
13 torches raging and for two weeks, they
Famelette, Red Shamrock camera crew in
the couch in the living room where the walls
were burning through two to three liquid
tow. They mic’d me up and then Marcel
were lined with whiteboards all filled with
tanks a day. As we walked out back to the
began to explain, in greater detail, the
the different projects going on. It was truly
metal fabrication area, I was introduced
mission of Project 33. “To be concise about
overwhelming.
to Trent T. Starky and, at that point was
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