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Three Questions for DATMA Executive Director, Lindsay Miś as Summer Winds Prepares to Launch

Lindsay Miś, Executive Director, DATMA. (Credit: DATMA)

Custom House Square is just days away from the official kick-off celebration launching Summer Winds, under the recently installed skynet – “Silver Current” by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics. Attendees will get to enjoy live music, special guests, refreshments, and fun for the whole family, beneath the beauty of this incredible public art installation. DATMA (Design Art Technology Massachusetts) has worked tirelessly to bring this unique vision and experience to New Bedford, and we couldn’t wait to get the scoop from their Executive Director, Lindsay Miś, on what to expect.

What will Summer Winds bring to the New Bedford art scene that we haven’t seen before? 

DATMA is using the city as an urban gallery to present public art that overlaps Design, Art, and Technology. We will feature world-renowned contemporary artists to create an international lens to highlight the already existing arts and culture scene of New Bedford.

Was DATMA influenced by other cities when making the decision to move forward with this project? If so where?

Definitely. Our Board talked to a lot of other organizations when preparing to establish itself and shape the programming/exhibition vision. MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) was a major influence and super helpful even to this day. We look at what the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) in Lisbon is doing and plan to collaborate with them as part of our 2020 program. Me personally, I love the Association for Public Art in Philadelphia and their incredible “Museum Without Walls” program as well as the Houston Arts Alliance who have some stunning projects under their belt. I love seeing how they engage the public.

Silver Current rendering (Credit: Poetic Kinetics)

What would a successful outcome look like, once the installation and events for Summer Winds are complete?

I’m in the thick of it, so at this point I’m focusing on getting the artwork installed. My focus will be on our Summer Winds vision – to present artwork that overlaps design art, and technology; to partner with the incredible arts and culture organizations of the region; to increase tourism to the region; and celebrate New Bedford’s incoming wind energy efforts.

See for yourself:

Mark your calendars, and head down to Custom House Square this Saturday, for the kick-off celebration. You need to see “Silver Current” in person, to fully appreciate the work and dedication it took to make it happen. And you’ll get to meet Lindsay, and the rest of the DATMA community, which is a treat in itself.

Caitlin Joseph