The Soundwalk

On a cool spring day, I decided to take a walk around 14th Street after sitting at my work desk for 5 hours. When I stepped out of the building, I was immediately greeted with the sounds of construction workers, hammering and drilling away on the building adjacent to mine. It wasn't the best noise to step out to, but it's expected considering where I am. It made me and other passerby's jump. I began my walk, I forgot that there was a school nearby, which was letting out at the time. Parents were walking and talking with their children about their day. There were also large groups of teenagers coming out of school, some louder than others. One group howled with laughter over the prospect of passing their math class, while the other was more concerned with where they'd go for a midday snack. The sounds of heels clacking on the concrete sidewalk created a bit of an unpleasant symphony with their voices. However, once the groups parted, it started to sound more familiar to me. I wore heeled shoes myself that day, so the addition of my shoes to the "symphony" made it seem more complete. One of my favorite parts of the walk was towards the end: the High Line is near, which means a large opportunity to hear more sounds. Across from that is a small pier, where the water audibly moves along with the breeze. It may seem strange, but the cars and trucks riding on the brick roads almost enhances the experience. It gives you the sense that you are in this hustle and bustle area of New York.

Define a Space_Jane & Shuyi from Jane Chazanoff on Vimeo.

Artist Statement

Behind this screen is someone who has an urge to create, but sometimes unsure where to start.

I'm not going to go out and call myself an "artist". I feel like that term is reserved for those who have accomplished large projects for all the world to see. However, that doesn't mean I haven't created things that I want the world to see. Maybe not the world, per say, but perhaps a small audience. 

I would say I'm more of a hands-on creator. That is to say that I like to get my hands dirty creating a prop or even a simple needle prick while pinning a pattern to fabric. I am by no means an expert in this, but I'd like to say I'm getting pretty good at it. I am inspired by other costume creators and how much energy and passion they put into their work. Every scalloped edge, every lacy headpiece, has an intense amount of detail that I hope to gain someday. I am also inspired by my friends and family, who work hard in many different ways to get the results they want.

There are times where I get frustrated and want to give up. "I should just go back to living as a recluse behind the screen. At least I kept quiet there." But then I remember that I don't want to go back to that life. I want to create to--in turn--create a better me. One that is more confident about herself and her work.

Behind this screen is someone with an urge to create. And I'll start from where I see fit.