Entering the Industrial Design department building on 161 South Main Street, you might notice the large work of art hanging in the ID lounge. The piece was installed by Yarrow Thorne BFA ID ’12 as part of an effort to encourage students in the department to paint over, and replace with their own work. Here are a couple of questions we asked him.
I understand you took some time off to pursue some personal ventures, what were these?
At the time I was not very focused at RISD and needed time to center myself. I traveled for a bit and got really involved with the local VW/Audi scene, including building the worlds first 1.8T mk1 Scirocco with 350+hp which turned into helping starting a VW/Audi tuning shop called Adrenaline Motorsports, this lasted two years before ending due to partnership issues.
During my down time, I worked at a local airport which allowed me to rent part of a hanger, which I used to prep and build a VW GTI to race in the One Lap Of America “Cannon Ball Run”, from working on this VW I found a few parts of the car could be better designed to work better, so I took the opportunity to do so and come up with the first of my Yarrowsport Products; I worked with local craftsman in western MA and made a small line of product, which I could not keep in stock. After a year of this and the issues with Adrenaline past, I moved to Providence due to affordable rent and its central location and renovated and built a 12,000 sq. ft tuning shop. Then I had the opportunity to purchase a commercial building to move my business into, this included a parcel of land which I have been working with local gardeners to develop one of the biggest privately owned community gardens in Providence, RI.
How did you come to start ‘Yarrow’s Cans’?
I have always liked graffiti and street art, but had no connections to it in any way. In Yarrowsport’s old location, I had a large Dyno Room, which I commissioned local artist to do murals in and had a 40’ container, which I would allow them to paint whenever they wanted. Over time, I got to know a few artists and they kept telling me how hard it was to buy good quality paint in RI. When I purchased my commercial building, I, in turn, allowed artists to paint freely on the back wall, which brought even more artists. When I closed Yarrowsport Llc. I decided to become the Montana Gold dealer for RI and southern New England. I started small and quickly found out how hard it was to keep paint in stock, this included the amazing volume of work being done on my building. In the 1.5 years Yarrow’s Cans has been open we have had just about every major country represented by an artist.
What part of what you do you find most satisfying?
Like anything starting from scratch it’s great to see it develop and grow into something. I’m most proud of the work I have done with local artists to host gallery based shows, and do large installations. I’m actively working to put a positive face on the amazing talent there is in RI of street artists. Every person who comes to look at the walls at Yarrow’s Cans can’t stop talking about how beautiful the art is; every mural we have done has stopped the negative graffiti in the neighborhood.
I, in turn, am working with RISD and the city of Providence to create a public art policy in which artists can work publicly without having to deal with tons of red tape. This process has taken much time but is well worth it and I can see the process moving forward.
Challenging?
There are many challenging sides to this project, finding budget is one of the hardest parts, and finding the time as being in school is my priority and comes 1st. At this time RISD is funding my club RAW (RISD Art Walls), which I’m working to set up RISD’s first public art policy. I’m working with students and faculty to develop a set of rules to allow artists to work publicly in large format on campus with funding for materials. The hardest part so far is getting artist to commit, I have a few walls, but no work or artists with time or interest to use the space.
How are you working to bring graffiti art into the public eye?
At this point I’ve found the only way is to work with local artists and find what they want to do, then connect them with landowners who have the wall space to get stuff done. The trick for me is any space I can get no matter the size big or small, it’s important to get work up as fast as possible. The more work in the public eye, the more work people can relate to and be educated that all graffiti and street art is not negative or destructive, but can be a very positive thing to bring a community together. I have also been able to show that every wall I have put art on not been tagged over since the work was done, this is saving the landowners and city money.
How do you feel that public art can benefit Providence?
Public art can be a great tool to inspire the public; it also helps to bring a community together. Providence is an amazing place with so many artists and designers who live here but when you look around there is very little public art for people to enjoy. The simple act of allowing artists to work in the streets can benefit the greater public in many ways.
How can people get involved?
I’m working on ways for people to get involved, so I would suggest that people contact me at yarrow[at]yarrowsport.com. People can also check on updates and info at my blogs:
Do you have a particular focus in the Industrial Design department?
At this point I’m using school as a transition, trying not to focus on one thing, but using my time to explore new things, find new interests, and role models to inspire me.
What has your favorite course been in the department thus far?
My favorite course would have to be fall 2010 NASA Moonbuggy.
What have you designed that you are proudest of?
The first product I designed on my own, the Yarrowsport mk4 VW rear stress bar. This product is the only true bolt in rear stress bar for the mk4 VW in the world. I found a weakness in this type of VW and designed a product to solve the problem and it worked. I built my business around this product and have sold over a thousand. I have personally marketed, packed and shipped every single one all over the world.
I have also gotten letters from hundreds of customers thanking me for designing this product and a few have sent me pictures showing how it had saved a life or two.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
For me coming back to school was a way for me to transition my life and the direction I was going. At this point I’m still figuring out the direction I want to go but I’m excited about moving forward towards my new goals.
What is your favorite machine in the ID building?
My favorite machine would have to be the student body, which is working together to better understand how design affects them and how they can help others better understand how it can help their businesses become stronger.
Posted by Carly Ayres | Date Posted: 27 February, 2011
Excellent post. I like the way you expose your writing talent! Keep up good work.