Archive for November, 2009
Art and innovation shake hands and meet in Charleston
Local wood artisan, Michael James Moran, has joined forces with John Griswold, Matt Charles, and Alec Sheaff of EcoBilt Energy Systems to create a novel application of alternative energy in the arts community.
EcoBilt has outfitted a 20 foot shipping container salvaged from the Charleston Navy Yard with two 20-watt solar modules. Woodworkers, like Moran, use kilns to dry lumber for their projects to a particular moisture content for interior use. Air drying in humid conditions, such as in the Lowcountry climate, does not reach the needed moisture content, whereas a kiln generates necessary heat for lowering the percentage of moisture to the desired level.
John explains, “In order to displace the humidity within the kiln, ventilation is key. This usually done by placing vents throughout the kiln and providing airflow through the use of fans. Fans, of course, need power to operate – and in most cases, this is done with traditional electricity or via a generator.”
CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Whether you have an account or just hear the little bird chirps in line at the store or in a nearby cubicle, chances are you’ve heard of Twitter.
Twitter is a social networking site that allows people all over the world to share updates about themselves and see updates from others.
Since its introduction at the South by Southwest festival in 2007, Twitter has been swelling in popularity. And social media has caught on globally. Now 19 percent of internet users are flocking to sites like Twitter compared to just 11 percent last year.
Live 5 News caught up with some of the Holy City’s top Tweeters and has the scoop on the social media movement to which Charlestonians are flocking.
Update: And the Tweetup made the news.
For those of you Twitter heads who haven’t heard yet, the second @CHStweetup is happening tonight at Taco Boy Downtown.
After the huge success of the first tweetup on October 19th, this one is sure to attract an even larger crowd of people who will most likely respond to your questions in more than 140 characters. The happy hour/networking event will feature talks from both Michael Moran (@mjmfurniture), furniture maker extraordinaire, and Resse (@healthinsgal), a Charleston gal who aims to save people and companies money on their health insurance costs. Rumor has it there will also be a prize giveaway via Twitter afterward.
Untitled from Ergonomix PR on Vimeo.
Largely responding to our 2nd monthly Tweetup, Live 5 News has done a piece on the growing impact of social media and micro-blogging, like Twitter in Charleston.
It’s a little scarce on how it’s impacting, but the mere fact that tweetups are now broadcast news worthy speaks of a culture shift.
If you want to hear still more about Twitter in Charleston, check out TheDigitel’s twitter topic page.
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Ismael's "Veil" is acrylic and screenprinting on wood panel
When Stacy Pearsall took on ownership of the Charleston Center for Photography this year, she knew it was more than just another job. The two-time National Press Photographers Association Military Photographer of the Year Award-winner saw a need in the community for youth programs, outreach classes, and art therapy for disabled veterans.
“My reason for taking it over wasn’t to make hoards of money,” says Pearsall. “Any profit is turned back into the community. We have free exhibits for young photographers. Whatever the Center doesn’t cover is paid from my own pocket.”
Pearsall’s concern for the community meant that local photographers and businesses rallied around her in September when she announced that the CCforP was struggling financially. Without additional contributions from its customers, the seven-year-old Center would be forced to close.
The day he heard the news, Sean Ferneau started speaking to Pearsall about what could be done. “She’s trying to do something new,” Ferneau, the gallery director of Aster Hall on King Street, says. “She’s trying to appeal to a broad base of artists without many resources, making her time and equipment readily available to them.”
Recognizing a kindred spirit, Ferneau began to plan a benefit show at his gallery.
Many news websites are working to refocus on local news, and often this means turning to automated aggregation. One hyper-local startup in Charleston, S.C., is blending links, community and visuals to try and redefine aggregation by giving it a human context.
TheDigitel.com was launched by Ken Hawkins in June 2008, and recently received its first round of venture capital funding from Palmetto Investments & Exchange Group.
Hawkins and his team are now deciding where to expand next. In keeping with its community philosophy, TheDigitel has even asked readers to vote for its next destination.
Hawkins spoke about the concept of “context aggregation,” using wikis to engage readers, and other topics shortly after the funding was announced in October 2009. Here’s an edited version of my interview with him.
Can you say how much funding you received?
Hawkins: It’s not huge, but it does give us the momentum to ‘break out’ of the test market in Charleston and start expanding.
Talk about the process of finding your investors. How much control will they have?
Hawkins: The investors were pointed our way through a mutual contact at another
local company, BeliefNetworks. I still retain more than a ’super majority’ of [TheDigitel]. However the investors bring not only cash but more of a business background, something journalists are often lacking.
With the reality of small business owners struggling in South Carolina, the art director of Aster Hall is stepping in the void to host a fundraiser to help save The Charleston Center for Photography.
Aster Hall Contemporary Art Space visualizes the potential of The Charleston Center for Photography (CCforP) and the future of Charleston’s emerging, non-traditional art scene.
Sean Ferneau, art director of Aster Hall, responded to Stacy Pearsall’s cry for help when the CCforP declared an emergency need for donations and contributions from previous customers and the general public.
“Stacy provides professional training to photographers throughout the Southeast. She dedicates her life to providing a platform for struggling artists in Charleston,” says Ferneau. Without the recent contributions from supporters of CCofP, the landmark educational center would have had to shut it’s doors.
“After I reached out to the public, not even an hour passed of the email being sent out when Sean Ferneau bursted through the doors of CCforP and declared a fundraiser would be held at Aster Hall,” says Pearsall. “It was an emotional experience for me and for all of us at the CCforP. Knowing we have the support of small local business owners means that we may be able to fight this and keep the doors open to future artists, locally and regionally,” explained Pearsall.