Submitted by Julia Silverman on the 2019 summer session program in England sponsored by the Department of Art & Design…
If New York and Philly got together and had a baby, I’m convinced it’d be London. The city that never sleeps and the city of brotherly love would make the perfect love child, Londontown.
As I get my footing here in this new city, I am beginning to find similarities between this new home and the cities I’ve known my whole life. Walking to class, I can easily forget myself and feel like I’m in NYC. This sensation quickly dissipates when I realize that the people here aren’t shoving their way past me on the street, cursing someone off out their car window, or pole dancing on the subway. This city moves slower and nicer. London is a lady and New York is your crazy estranged uncle who you can’t help, but have a soft spot somewhere deep down in your heart for (although, some days, the love is deeper down than others). As I had this thought the other day on my walk to class, I was catcalled by song (?). Yeah, Toto. We’re sure as hell not in New York anymore.
This week was filled with visits and speakers and hard work and sight-seeing and very, very little sleep, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. We kicked things off with what I was sure would be a workshop I’d have very little interest in – animation. Jim Le Fevre was the liveliest most energetic and quirky guy (even before his morning coffee). The immense love he has for his craft shows so wholeheartedly. His passion for animation got me excited about something I’ve never been interested in before.
By far, my favorite visit of the week was Studio Moross. Oscar and Micha took us through a comprehensive run through of their process and work. I was overwhelmed with the creativity and the possibilities that exist in animation as an illustrator. It was fascinating to see the implementation of fine art in the digital sphere. As I listened to them speak, my eyes couldn’t help, but wander. Every inch, corner, crevice was draped in posters, prints, art. It was such a stimulating place.
Speaking of stimulating, I met my neighbor this week. I was sitting on my stoop and he came strolling out of his flat screaming “bitch” at his friend in the window a few floors up. Initially, as one could imagine, I was taken aback. But then he pulled out a joint, lit up, and started talking to me about life. I learned that he was adopted as a kid and had two gay dads. Because he grew up around that, he got really into drag and now he performs locally in SoHo. He has two kids of his own now and hopes that one day they’ll follow their dreams. He also shared some sage advice; “Just live, enjoy every second of everyday,” he said while blowing smoke out his nose and mouth. Then he went back to talking about the “bitch” upstairs, his good friend, my other neighbor. Note to self- making small talk with the locals will definitely lead you down some interesting rabbit holes.