nomadderwhere » Art + Travel

At the MIT Media Lab doing some learning on our slow American internet

Lindsay Clark — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 03:57:19 +0000

My “Spring Break 2013″ does not yet resemble Harmony Korine’s visions of debauchery, but I’ve been enjoying this week, one unlike the usual work week. I decided that during this two-week break from school, I would relax in Boston and then use the second week to get closer to the sun.

During this Boston-based break week, I’ve been getting back in touch with this ole blog-o-mine, photography, and activities I rarely enjoy at work, like reading or going to events around the city. Though my attempt to see an advanced screening at a cool, old movie theater didn’t pan out, I was successful in attending a speaker event at MIT’s Media Lab.

You’d think I’d have done ample research already on a program/building attached to a snazzy institution that bears a similar name to my own course. Nay, I have had no time to do such frivolous, awesome things. I’ve made it into the MIT buildings, to film Noam and all, but the Media Lab was impressive…almost an operational exhibition of innovation in the making. My jealousy was raging.

I wasn’t just wandering aimlessly this afternoon in the Media Lab; I was there to see a speaker and witness an anal-retentive production team in action. Whoa, that was a meticulous sound check. They produced a webcast that ran live online, but I felt like testing out my own webcasting abilities with Ustream.tv. Check out the conversation below on regulation and access to the Internet by Susan Crawford, author of Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age.

Nomadderwhere’s video streaming by Ustream

New tools. New capabilities. New information. Just trying to keep up with my mini-manifesto!

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Help me prepare for my first travel photography exhibition

Lindsay Clark — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:18:29 +0000

Hello readers,

From May 1st to June 2nd, I will be exhibiting some of my travel photography in a location that is very special to me. Not only will this be my first photography exhibition at a gallery, but the gallery is the Clark Gallery, in honor of my late grandfather Clark, whom I never had the chance to meet.

The Clark Gallery lives inside my town’s focal point, the Honeywell Center. As I’ve mentioned in many anecdotes, without the Honeywell Center, I wouldn’t have known that other cultures and opportunities existed…and therefore wouldn’t be where I am today.

This exhibition entitled “Far, Far Away” is a chance for some people in Wabash, Indiana to see destinations and cultures they otherwise might never see. Additionally, all the images were taken by people who claim Wabash as their hometown, adding a layer of accessibility to the images. The other person sharing the space with me will be showing many images from Antarctica. Just amongst the two of us, our images will span all seven continents!

Embedded below is a Flickr set of the images I’ve selected thus far. My images will be displayed digitally on a TV screen in the gallery, which makes my selection and the cost of exhibition much easier as I work remotely. I’m also creating a printed catalog that will sit next to the TV with image thumbnails, a mini-map pointing to the location of the photo, and a QR code connecting to the back story of that image.

I’m interested in knowing which images are impactful and effective for you! Feel free to leave comments and give me direction of what I should include or exclude in this exhibition. Are you particularly curious about seeing image from any of these countries specifically? And what information could be provided in order to fulfill what you want to know about the images or moments depicted?

This is also cross-posted on THINK Spot.

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A little valentine for my dear, sweet Buenos Aires

Lindsay Clark — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:53:43 +0000

Not only was this the longest time I’ve lived in an international city, it also happened to be a culture I fully embraced. Our impending departure pricked me in the last week, drawing up thick sentiment I could only process through creation. What could I make that would facilitate a meditation on a city that showed me a wonderful time?

Prior to our first and only asado, I splayed out on my bed in a square of warm light and began a graphic design project, one that mimicked the Ork-style posters that fit neighborhood names into their map locations. My idea was to one day to share it with our porteño friends who introduced us Fernet, cooked us asados, danced with us until 7am, and invited us into their family homes. They made us feel so welcome and entertained, and all I felt I could provide in return were some digital bits and bobs. Of course, there’s always the hope they journey to America and are in need of an enthusiastic tour guide!

Two months after leaving, I’ve finally completed this graphic project to share with all of them…and you, dear reader. Other colors and styles are likely to follow, but here are two such posters in both white and black. Click the image to download one for yourself.

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A hauntingly beautiful snowstorm blows over Boston Common

Lindsay Clark — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:22:10 +0000

On Friday evening, I was captivated by the oncoming snowstorm called Nemo that blanketed the city of Boston. From a perch overlooking the State House and the Boston Common, I could watch the sky darken and the air become increasingly opaque.

Every 15 minutes, I captured a few seconds of the unfolding scene, ultimately mashing all the clips together. Around 9pm, my window was so coated with snow, I had to open it to get a good shot. That’s when I truly realized how beautiful this natural phenomenon was.

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This is what the last four months in Argentina looked like

Lindsay Clark — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:14:50 +0000

This term at TGS was the longest in duration, compared to the three months each spent in Ecuador, Thailand, and Germany.

While I’ve previously written about the three-month mind cycle that makes for a great trip length, because of the adjustment and pack-up periods at TGS, that duration barely allowed for local absorption of any authentic kind. Instead, four months in Buenos Aires created a different expectation for assimilation and encouraged the development of friendships with porteños that would be a little stronger than surface level.

On top of having a beautiful apartment in a central location, I lived with an hilarious roommate/part-time caterer with a debilitating case of FOMO. Together, we worked and played in this international city that showed us both its best and worst. It was the setting for incredible discovery at school and major learning moments personally. There are nail marks across our apartment floors and airport terminals where we refused to leave.

This is my work photography from the Argentina term (plus a little trip to Uruguay).

And this is the evidence of life after the 12-hour work day.

What is it you’re pining to see from Argentina (or Uruguay next door)?

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First set images are those of THINK Global School. The opinions stated in this post are mine and do not reflect the positions, strategies, or opinions of THINK Global School.

A patchwork quilt of my Argentina days

Lindsay Clark — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:32:56 +0000

Packing commences soon for the USA. Mental packing happens sooner. I had a little life here in Argentina. It will be remembered a little something like this.

(Inspiration. Click for a lightbox)

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Have you heard about this global school of mine?

Lindsay Clark — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:38:26 +0000

I like telling stories around the world: in written form, through snazzy visuals, and from both experiential and academic perspectives. I would do this of my own volition (ahem, Nomadderwhere), but thankfully my job allows me to do this for pay every day. From time to time though, I also make marketing videos to give more context of this visionary establishment that houses such endeavors. Here are the latest ones of note.

Would you like to see who I work with?

Or how about the environment in which the students live?

I create content on the daily for TGS, so if you’d like to follow more closely, check out their Facebook page, Twitter feed, Flickr account, YouTube channel, or Vimeo account. I’m always trying to get better as a one-man crew, so any and all production critique or commentary is welcome!

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Videos are those of THINK Global School. The opinions stated in this post are mine and do not reflect the positions, strategies, or opinions of THINK Global School.

Uruguay: a new country experience with a vintage video feel

Lindsay Clark — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 03:15:59 +0000

Here’s hoping border crossings are always fresh. Visiting Uruguay a few weekends ago reminded me how lucky I have been to see different countries. I wanted to reflect my appreciation for a new place with a new video technique: light leaks.

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Video is that of THINK Global School. The opinions stated in this post are mine and do not reflect the positions, strategies, or opinions of THINK Global School.

Photoblog: Sundays in Buenos Aires make the whole week

Lindsay Clark — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:49:07 +0000

For over a month, I’ve been sinking my claws into Buenos Aires, Argentina. Within the first two weeks, I found an apartment with a new roommate/co-worker in the beautifully-located barrio called Recoleta. Its coordinates in the city as well as decor and baller terrace(s) cause me to internally chant:

I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy!

Though I have encountered some really bitter parts of the city so far, the vast majority of my thoughts focus on the innumerable opportunities within reach. On fair-weathered afternoons, stalls of antique paraphernalia and sweet, sweet guitar interludes draw us to San Telmo market. If we’re hungry and less motivated, we funnel in coffee and cake, along with a full American breakfast, at a nearby cafe famous for its former literary clientele.

Yes, sometimes I’d rather go nowhere, because my apartment is on the better side of baller. As enticing as underground markets and puerto cerrado dinners can be, I’m often equally as motivated to have a little ‘personal growth’ time here on the couch with a good book on my host country.

South Americans and world citizens all over frequently categorize Argentines as snobs, but we’ve been lucky in finding porteños that happily absorb us brash Americans into their social circles. And with each listen to their smushed and slurred sentences, our Spanish takes a step closer to fluency.

I have yet to taste mate from a gourd in a breezy park, but you bet your chai it’s going to be obsessively documented.

I shant forget the incredible outings–both obscure and cliché–for the taking in BsAs, including the one most people worldwide know of without knowing it: La Boca. When you hear of Argentina, your mental picture is undoubtedly a tango pose in front of a brightly-colored wall. This is La Boca, and it’s this place that makes me realize we’re in South America. I imagine it’s like Times Square was right before Lion King and Disney moved to town.

Regardless of the world around me, I still always have this option. And for this, I am not worthy still. This makes me excited to spend four months in South America’s second biggest city.

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Adios, America. It’s time for new places and fresh air.

Lindsay Clark — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 23:16:02 +0000

It’s time to navigate away from Indiana again. The school year is starting, and I’m about to move to a country I’ve never visited. Come Tuesday, I will have some new students, new co-workers, a new home with someone else’s furniture, and a new culture to study…thankfully in a language I’m already comfortable with.

Last year’s school locations of Ecuador, Thailand, and Germany look to be replaced by some diverse locales, all brought to you by the letter “B”.

I’ll be spending the first term in Buenos Aires, Argentina, visiting Bhutan in January, and spending the rest of the academic year in Boston, USA. I’m equally excited by all three locations for very different reasons.

Perks of BsAs

I can, without judgment or question, wear a massive red flower in a low bun.

It will be early spring when I arrive, and that means boots. Stomping around cities in big ole boots.

I have dreams of killing at some form of latin dance. Maybe Tango is my zone. If not, I’ll find another and put my packed dance clothes to good use.

Red, red wine.

New country of which I’ve never heard an ill word spoken.

Apparently, it’s easy to live like a rock star with the help of a Mr. T. Ferriss.

Perks of Dragon Land

It’s on those mountains I love so much.

They have dragons…or so say my Bhutanese students. I’m ready with my binoculars and fire-resistant jacket.

Gross National Happiness > Gross National Product

Did I mention mountains yet? I like them a lot, especially when we can mix and mingle.

Photographic opportunities will abound. I’m sure of it. This video by Pogo proves it.

Perks of Beantown

Murka! We’ll have easy access to liberty, freedom, and all sorts of patriotic goodies.

Same time zone and country as my friends and family, so NO ONE has an excuse not to call…frequently.

Friends and family can not only call but visit!

Pandora. Hulu. Good internet connections. Work and life never buffering.

I have missed New York City this year and hope that the close proximity means filling some of those gaps.

Preparing to be a Porteña

My clothes are splayed out across the basement floor. This cues my cat to nervously pace and start killing woodland creatures for bait to make me stay. This is when I’m motivated to find new music, new apps, new outfits, and possible events, activities, and excursions to enjoy in the new host city.

It’s a special time of optimism and promise.

What often happens–rather quickly–is that I get distracted by the new locale and the tasks at hand. I lose perspective and the kind of balance that allows a person to be well-rounded. To curb this phenomenon, I’m hitting BsAs with a list of goals on a desktop Stickie. They’re ones I successfully eased into during the Berlin term and seemingly written by someone realistic with experience.

Once I find an apartment and get my claws in, I’ll be spending very little downtime at home. After all, there are festivals, good food (not just beef and wine), dancing opportunities, chances to giggle, and recommendations from other travelers to look into. It’s four months of living uninterrupted. That hasn’t happened to me in years.

As you can see above, I like to mentally prepare for a destination by watching shorts online, and while looking for videos of Bhutan, I came across this one that brought to my attention my need for fresh air in many forms.

Well said, Mr. Bertke. I’m ready for a couple deep breaths.

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