Preaching Not Preaching: SXSW
Working Not Working took over SXSW in full force with an unsurprising blur of parties, run ins with WNW members and really awesome, late night music. Co-founder Justin Gignac joined Behance's Scott Belsky, Ryan Merkley (the CEO of Creative Commons) and Red Antler partner Emily Heyward at The Rise of the Creative Economy panel, a discussion on how creatives can truly empower themselves to do the work they want.
WNW partnered with Austin-based agency Preacher to throw PREACHING NOT PREACHING, an experience unlike any other at SXSW. Preacher's stunning space provided the perfect backdrop for this creative revival. We created a special room that provided a reprieve from the rest of the party. With real church pews, we erected an altar full of candles (illustrated by WNW Member #2296 Kevin Moran) upon which work from the WNW community played. WNW Members #2526 Justin Maller, #3058 Yema Yema, #3041 Karan Singh, #4955 Lynnie Zulu, and #4516 Jon Burgerman designed 'stained glass' and with the sun shining through, it truly did feel magical.
After lighting a candle for their creative soul, guests wandered through the space and found themselves in a gallery. Curator Jason Archer put together a stellar show with a mix of Austin-based and international artists. Working Not Working was proud to include original pieces by WNW Members #4587 Faust, #825 Rich Tu, #5081 Ricardo Gonzalez, and #3988 Richard Hart.
It wouldn't be a WNW party without a photo booth but this time, our friends at Smilebooth put together a custom experience, creating a tintype effect and making guests look as if they'd emerged from the Dust Bowl.
Given that the party took place during SXSW Interactive, VRSE.works gave guests a taste of virtual reality with Guy Shelmerdine's insane asylum horror experience, Catatonic. Guests didn't just strap on the VR gear, they also sat in wheelchairs and were administered to by attendants dressed as nurses. Freaky, indeed.
And it wouldn't be Austin without some live music. Hamilton Leithauser and Paul Maroon of The Walkmen totally killed it with a rocking performance and DJ Freedom Rock held it down between sets.
A big thank you to all who came and to our sponsors Tito's Vodka and Lucy's Fried Chicken for keeping our guests well liquored and fed. Enjoy the selection of photos below, but be sure to check out our Facebook page (photo credit to Roger Ho) and tag yourself. And for all the photobooth images, check out the complete Smilebooth gallery.
WNW candle design by Member #2296 Kevin Moran:
WNW Member #2526 Justin Maller:
WNW Member #3058 Yema Yema:
WNW Member #3041 Karan Singh:
WNW Member #4955 Lynnie Zulu:
WNW Member #4516 Jon Burgerman:
A creative revival wouldn't be complete without a gallery show. Jason Archer (pictured below), curated a roster of stellar artists including WNW members Faust, Rich Tu, Ricardo Gonzalez, and Richard Hart. The other artists featured were Joe Swec, Rich Cali, Sophie Roach, Aaron Michalovic, and Adam Young.
WNW Member #4587 Faust:
WNW Member #825 Rich Tu:
WNW Member #5081: Ricardo Gonzalez:
WNW Member #3988 Richard Hart:
Hamilton Leithauser of The Walkmen and DJ Freedom Rock got everyone in the mood as guests mingled, drank from their Repenting Not Repenting koozies, experimented with virtual reality, and of course vogued in the photo booth.
A big thank you to our partners Smilebooth for giving us a custom tintype effect on our photos. We picked a few to showcase here so make sure you check out the complete gallery.