EP 61: Exploring Light and Ephemeral Art with Alexander Groves of Studio Swine

We’ve got two new patrons at the $5 Co-Learner tier, which means it’s time for some well-deserved shoutouts!

⚡A huge thank you to Jeremy Scidmore, a talented glass artist based in Dallas/Fort Worth who also teaches at the University of Texas Arlington. He’s going to be instrumental in helping the Glass Art Society prepare for the 2025 Glass Conference in Arlington/Fort Worth.

⚡And another big thanks to Liz K.! I had the pleasure of meeting Liz as a co-learner in the Kiln Fused Plasma class I co-taught with Mark Ditzler this summer. Liz, your passion and immediate drive to apply what you learned—and your thoughtful questions—have been truly inspiring!

Thank you both for your incredible support!

I’ve recently updated my Patreon, and if you’re not yet a member, now’s the perfect time to try it out! You can enjoy a 7-day free trial to explore all the perks—like free model downloads and TIPS (Together in Progress) Guides which are downloadable versions from Plasma Primer lectures—at no cost for the first week.

Come join me on Patreon!

Hello lightning Tamers this is episode number 61. And in today’s podcast, I’ll be joined by Alexander Groves one half of the duo known as Studio Swine. Alex and their partner Azuza Murakami had decided to make this arrangement to manage tending to the lovely family they are raising-just incase anyone is wondering!

Who are Studio Swine? The SWINE in Studio Swine, an acronym for “Super Wide Interdisciplinary New Explorers,” is a pioneering collective founded in 2011 by Azusa Murakami (JP) and Alexander Groves (UK). Their collaborative journey traverses the realms of art, design, and technology, forging new frontiers in the exploration of light, materials, and human experience.

Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves bring together their diverse backgrounds and expertise to create immersive installations, experimental artworks, and thought-provoking designs. With a keen interest in ephemeral tech and the interplay between art and science, Studio Swine crafts experiences that challenge perceptions and evoke wonder.

From their groundbreaking work with neon and plasma to their innovative installations showcased worldwide, Studio Swine continues to captivate audiences with their visionary approach to creativity and exploration.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the mesmerizing world of neon and plasma artworks, exploring Studio Swine’s fascination with light and materials. From their thought-provoking installations like “Wave. Particle. Duplex.” to their upcoming neon installation in South Korea, Alexander will share their insights, inspirations, and the challenges of working at the intersection of art and technology.

Join us as we unravel the creative journey of Studio Swine, where innovation meets imagination and the possibilities are limitless.

Welcome to the podcast Alexander!

I hope you enjoyed the podcast. 

Thank you Alexander Groves for the taking the time to be on the podcast, and for sticking it out the last minute to answer my questions. While Azusa could not be available, I hope to work with you again soon! Our audience may not know this but this interview was long time coming, and I found new insight into the world of installation and artmaking that I thought would be helpful for our audience, those as makers, fabricators, and artists, that at the center of every accomplishment is a human connection and a relationship. 

 I’d like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration, the Plasma Art Alliance, and the Facebook group Neon and Plasma Art for Beginner, where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing and supportive people. 

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