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Phillip K. Smith III: Artist, Architect

Phillip K. Smith III: Artist, Architect



Introduction to Phillip K. Smith III.  1:24 min. Interview:  Raymond Elman.  Camera:  Lee Skye.  Editing:  Celeste Reynolds.  Production:  Corina Adrianza.  Recorded: 12/8/2017, Faena Hotel, Miami Beach.

 

After growing up in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, PHILLIP K. SMITH III received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. From his Palm Desert, CA studio, he creates light-based work that draws upon ideas of space, form, color, light + shadow, environment, and change.

Featured in hundreds of online and print publications, Smith is known for creating large scaled temporary installations such as Lucid Stead in Joshua Tree, Reflection Field and Portals at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, ¼ Mile Arc in Laguna Beach, and The Circle of Land and Sky at inaugural 2017 Desert X exhibition. All of these installations are featured in his latest catalog titled Five Installations published by Grand Central Press. His public artworks are sited in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kansas City, Nashville, Oklahoma City and beyond; and the artist was recently commissioned to create permanent, light-based works for the cities of West Hollywood, CA and Bellevue, WA. The artist’s work is also included in the forthcoming exhibition and catalog Unsettled organized by the Nevada Museum of Art and artist Ed Ruscha.

          — pks3.com

The videos below are organized by topic and run between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES: 0:54 sec.




Where did you grow up and what was your first awareness of art in any discipline?

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 1:46 min.




You attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). What did you learn at RISD that still informs you today?

DEVELOP A VOICE:  2:25 min.




How is the desert reflected in your work?

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:  1:33 min.




Who have been your role models and influencers?

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:  2:31 min.




Describe your use of mirrors in objects that you have created in the desert.

SERENDIPITY:  1:38 min.




Describe the role of serendipity in your work.

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED: 0:57 sec.




Most of the time, you can only take advantage of serendipity if you are already prepared when the unexpected event takes place.

COLLABORATION: 2:45 min.




What type of assistance do you need for your projects? Do you have to hire people to help you?

COLLABORATION: 1:36 min.




What’s the minimum skill set somebody needs to work with you?

CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY: 1:28 min.




Do you use 3D printers?

UNDERSTANDS ARTISTS’ NEEDS:  2:09 min.




Did you have to make a lot of trips to Miami for this Art Basel week project?