Silent Barn: Brooklyn’s Latest Collective
Ginny Benson- Beer & Wine License/Kickstarter
-How long have you been living in Brooklyn?
About 4 years.
-What brought you here?
I started working at PS1 right when I graduated from Sarah Lawrence, so I got an apartment in Crown Heights.
-What do you find to be unique about the artistic community in Brooklyn?
I think because there are so many artists and creative individuals there’s a sense of experimentation in the air. People are really open about presenting things that are unfinished or weird or outside of what they normally do because there this collaborative energy that makes people feel safe. Everyone’s very willing to explore their art and other peoples art. Perhaps the ease of public transportation makes going to see art and performances really casual and people are able to show work every night to an audience and vice versa.
-What are some of your inspirations—both in your art/career and just in your everyday life?
My day job is to help run a music venue called Roulette. It’s mission and it’s staff are all really inspiring to me. They’ve dedicated this space and their lives to experimental performance and it’s really amazing. It makes me feel like I’m not crazy for trying to live out my life supporting the arts and being an artist. The people that perform there do really far out stuff and it’s truly unique. It’s very motivating in terms of Silent Barn because it makes me want to create my own space and uphold the same kind of mission.
-Do you see yourself staying in Brooklyn?
Right now it feels like i might never leave Brooklyn.
-What’s a perfect Brooklyn day for you?
Eating good food, seeing amazing things, hanging out with my friends. Which is what I do everyday and is why I love Brooklyn.
-What are the challenges inherent to being an artist in Brooklyn?
Money and space. The same things that challenge a lot of people in NYC.