Lea Albaugh
What major art/design movement is this artist a part of?
I struggle between categorizing Lea Albaugh’s work as fitting more comfortably in the school of the abstract versus digital or electronic. What is the most essential part of her work? More likely, the essence of her work lies in some combination of the two.
What novel methods/techniques did this artist integrate into their practice?
The way that lea combines robotics and interactivity with cloth and textile is highly unusual at this point in time, but a big part of me imagines that that will not always be the case. I am sure that as AI and advanced robotics become more and more a part of the world’s day to day, seeing it utilized in what we now consider to be unorthodox ways will become more commonplace. Still, today I find her work to be very unique. Her style is odd, a little funny, slightly jarring, and sticks with you.
How does the artist’s practice reflect/respond to the historic movement in which they practiced?
Lea’s work could only exist in this age of every expanding electronics and technologies. Frankly I’m surprised work like hers isn’t more mainstream in the fashion industry already.
If applicable, how did the artist tailor/hybridize emerging technologies into their practice?
The most applicable question of all! This is Lea Albaugh’s entire schtick. She seems to relish in combining textiles and electronics. Whether it be by creating a dress with a neck that shelters your face from social interaction at the click of a button, or business attire with inflatable shoulder pads that perk up just in time to scare the hell out of your boss. (Both of these designs can be seen in her line of “Clothing for Moderns”, I will link demonstrations.)
How did the artist’s work change over time?
Lea started her career with more orthodox styles practices of textile work and coding separate from one another. Over time, she ventured to combine them.
What artists influenced this person’s work, and who did they in turn influence?
Lea doesn’t describe anywhere the people from whom she took inspiration, and I cannot find anyone of note who claims her to be their inspiration either. However, she does currently work in the Maker’s Studio at Disney Research Pittsburgh, spending a lot of her time there working with the children and teens at the children’s museum and teaching them about coding and textiles. I imagine she’ll have a few artists in tow soon enough.
Work
And Don’t Forget — !
http://www.instamatique.com/games/floppybard/