I have written in this blog about how I adore Gen Art and everything it stands for. It’s a wonderful platform for new talent and a great resource for people interested in things below the radar. Gen Art Pulse is a popular newsletter and section of Gen Art that features even smaller and more obscure designers, movies, art and music than the larger Gen Art organization. When Gen Art stands by a new trend, it usually is available to the consumer market at that time, Gen Art Pulse gets down on the ground level and it’s a little more about “what you WILL be seeing” rather than “what we are seeing now.”
Caroline Stanley runs the Gen Art Pulse section and she writes about everything from new small bands, to designers who sell in only a handful of stores, and movies with small budget but big potential. I sat down with Caroline at Elmo’s on 7th ave last week and asked her all about Pulse.
Kickin Kate: So, what is Gen Art and Gen Art Pulse?
Caroline Stanley: Gen Art has been around for thirteen years and the idea is they are making emerging talent accessible to everyone. The categories are Film, Music, Art and Fashion. We are trying to find people before they are discovered by big galleries, before movies are going to show at your local Cineplex or before you will find them at Barneys, you will see them at Gen Art. The idea of Pulse is to even be a few steps before that. For example, in order for a designer to show in a Gen Art event, they have to be available for people to buy. With Pulse, it can even be more grass roots and I say “you are going to be hearing about this designer so keep your eyes peeled.”
KK: Before you worked at Pulse, did you have any other editorial background?
CS: Yes, right from college I worked at Ladies’ Home Journal and I was an assistant in to their Entertainment Director. So a big part of my job was helping her book covers and when you are that age and you are working with people like Shania Twain and meeting all of these agents, it’s fun and exciting. After that I was at Twist magazine, which was a hilarious experience and I loved it. I was the beauty editor and was in charge of 20 pages a month that I produced content for. So even though it was a magazine for teenagers, it was all stuff I hadn’t done before and it was so fun! I interviewed people like Kelly Clarkson and Hillary Duff which was fun; I was around 23 but still had an adolescent flare which I could indulge in because I was working at a teen magazine. And right before Pulse I was at Quick & Simple as an Associate Editor there covering Health. So, I have had editorial experience, but working at Pulse has been so fun and I feel so lucky to be able to write about things I do.
KK: Because these designers, films and musicians are so unheard of, how do you find them?
CS: You know, a lot of it is talking to the people at Gen Art, talking to the different programming heads and asking who is exciting for them right now. A lot of it is also staying in contact with people I have written about and asking if they have any friends who I should know about. The coolest thing that happened recently was that I was shopping downtown and I went into a boutique and began chatting with the owner. That is a great way to get leads and I am able to ask them who they are most excited about. This particular boutique owner was talking about a line I had never heard of which was great for Pulse.
KK:When you are trying to find content for Pulse, are you looking for things you like in particular or is it a search for something that others would like.
CS: The barometer isn’t always music or fashion that I am into, rather do I know someone who would be into it. Even though Gen Art has Avante Garde and fashion shows, on Pulse I try to make sure its all wearable. I feel like if people can’t wear it, then it’s alienating and I don’t want that for my readers.
KK: It is alienating and makes it hard for people to get excited about new fashion when it doesn’t seem like something we could wear. I think its great that you are choosing collections that would fit easily in our closets.
KK:Once you decide who or what your subject is, how do you get in touch with them?
CS:Well, because we are finding these people when what they are doing isn’t yet a major movement, they are usually happy to talk with us. For instance, when I interviewed Ellen Page from Juno, it was such a small movie and Gen Art was doing an advance screening so we already were already talking to Fox Searchlight. I wanted to talk to her because after I saw the movie I knew she would be huge, so I made sure we set that up. The majority of people who find out what Gen Art does, are more than happy to talk with us because we have the non profit side which we are always giving money to film makers and designers. Once they hear about that they are more than happy to talk to me even if they are bigger celebrities. Gen Art has been around for thirteen years, we have some amazing alumni like Zac Posen who remember Gen Art fondly because that’s a big part of where they started.
KK: I love that Zac Posen was a member of Gen Art. He has done so well and continues to blow me away with his design. I think all of you at Gen Art have such good taste and do a great job with trends and pointing us in the right fashion direction.
KK: Ok, so indulge me in some of your favorite subjects so far. New designers you can share?
CS: There is a piece I just put up today about this new shoe line out of Australia. I was down at Pixie Market in the lower east side and the owner told me about this line called Mogil; its been around in Australia for about ten years and they are having their US debut down at Pixie Market. Their collection is so cute and more than that they are affordable. You can get a pair of shoes for around $150 and I think most people reading Pulse could swing that. And that’s important to me. Anytime I can find something new and fresh that isn’t crazy expensive and wont scare people away, I like to mention it in pulse.
KK: And music? Anyone special you think we should check out?
CS:I actually just interviewed Adele, she’s a singer/ songwriter from the UK and I 
<!–[endif]–>think she’s going to be a big deal here. She is already big there and slowly making her mark in the US. That was so fun because she is a superstar there but not yet here.
KK:Movies?
CS:There’s one I saw about a month ago and I think its coming out in August called Towel Head. It’s a really cool and weird story about a foreign girl who gets sent to live with her father in some Texas town. The locals aren’t quite sure how to treat her. She is also thirteen and is going through adolescence as well as being a new place and trying to adjust. It’s dark, funny and smart and almost reminds me of American Beauty. I also saw Choke which was amazing and I think its coming out in Late July. And also Frozen River is a small movie about smuggling people over the border in upstate NY from Canada. I highly recommend all of those movies. I love seeing movies that I get excited about and to talk about it after and share it with others.
KK:I agree and that sounds like such a fun job! And on those same lines, do you have a favorite part of your job?
CS:Its definitely when I get to interview people. It doesn’t even matter who it is, just when I am talking to someone who is super excited about what they are doing and there is something about that that is just so contagious. I get excited for them because I know something cool is happening.
KK:I agree, its an amazing feeling to be part of something that others are excited about. Gen Art Pulse comes right into your inbox and keeps you posted on all things Music, Fashion, Art and Film. Go to www.genartpulse.com to get your edition and to see what Caroline thinks is worth your time.
Posted: July 2nd, 2008 under Uncategorized.
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