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Bio
Andrew Kastner is a digital media and environmental artist. His work is both a reflection of his longtime interest in human relations to the natural and material world… and a life-altering stroke in 2022 that left him with severe aphasia and limitations with dexterity. Andrew has used photography, lidar scans, and extended reality technology to evolve his pre-stroke practice. While he always aspired to connect people to each other and their environment through his artistic translations, his efforts now have a new power; they are creating new–wordless–means of communication that tie all of us–human and non-human–together.Post-Stroke Works (Post-2022)
Exhibitions
NM (VR)
Currents New Media Festival
June 14 – 23, 2024
Santa Fe, NM
DET _ Larb Swangin Brain Turn (Photo/LiDAR)
Corcoran School of the Art & Design
Aug 23 - Oct 30, 2023
Washington, DC
Pre-Stroke Works (Pre-2022)
About
Andrew has over seven years of experience as a designer, programmer, and fabricator having worked on interactive exhibits for clients like the New York Life Insurance Company, Bulleit Bourbon, and Microsoft while collaborating with design firms like IDEO, Second Story, and Sub Rosa. He recently finished his Master of Arts in Exhibition Design at The George Washington University’s Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. Some of his skill sets include CNC programming, 3D modeling, 3D scanning, exhibit installation, woodworking, and spray finishing. He maintains proficiencies in softwares such as the Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere), Rhino 7, Grasshopper, SketchUp Pro, Revit, Enscape, Blender, Fusion 360 (CAD/CAM), Aspire, Cloud Compare, and Processing.Education
The George Washington University | 2022
M.A. in Exhibition Design
Richard Lahey and Carlotta Gonzalez Lahey Fellow
Savannah College of Art and Design | 2011
B.F.A. in Photography with a Minor in Graphic Design
Selected Projects
Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum | Faces of the Fallen Interactive Display
Amada America | Interactive Conference Tables
Science Museum of London | Custom-clad Interactive Touch Table
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History | Interactive Cabinet
San Diego Air and Space Museum | Flight Director Interactive Kiosks
Bulleit Bourbon | Tasting Room A/V Installation
Albuquerque BioPark and Zoo | Penguin Chill Exhibit
San Diego Zoo | Wildlife Explorers Basecamp
The New York Life Insurance Company | Continuum Interactive Wall
Albuquerque Sunport | New Mexico Filming Locations Kiosk
Employment
Adjunct Professor, Exhibition Design | Fall 2022
Corcoran School of the Arts and Design | Washington, DC
Teaching the fundamentals of two- and three-dimensional design with a focus on architectural representation standards, fabrication and production techniques, and generative design methodologies. Students learn through assignments that translate two-dimensional compositions into three-dimensional forms and articulate space via orthographic drafting, physical modeling, and digital rendering.
Contract Art Handler | May 2022 - July 2022
Cross Museum Services | Washington DC
Assist in the installation and deinstallation of exhibitions at museums that range from fine art and immersive installations to object-based collections and special events. This work requires intensive collaboration, problem solving skills, attention to detail, coordination with clients, and the ability to anticipate project and personnel needs.
Student Lab Assistant | Aug 2021 - May 2022
Corcoran School of the Arts and Design | Washington, DC
Supported operations in the digital fabrication studio by facilitating student training, creating tutorials, maintaining equipment, troubleshooting issues, and running student jobs submitted via the service bureau. The machines used in the studio included laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC mills.
Lead Exhibit Fabricator | Feb 2020 – Aug 2020
Ideum | Corrales, NM
Collaborated with producers and clients to bring design proposals into concrete, executable plans that were then carried through to a finished object. Responsibilities included directing other team members in the studio, coordinating with other departments based on project needs, ordering material and supplies for the shop, and prototyping with new materials and techniques.
Exhibit Fabricator | Aug 2018 – Feb 2020
Ideum | Corrales, NM
Performed tasks like hardwood millwork, CNC programming and operation, joinery, assembly/glue-ups, veneer application, and spray finishing while working with a wide variety of materials including plywood, solid wood, plastics, aluminum, steel, solid surface composites, and engineered stone. Traveled on installation and site assessment trips to evaluate, measure, and document spaces as well as install projects which involved handling shipping logistics, rigging, and project documentation.
Fabrication Technician | Nov 2017 – July 2018
Extraordinary Structures | Santa Fe, NM
Worked on a small team that designed and built accessory dwelling units and other small structures. Developed skills like woodworking, programming, and operating digital fabrication equipment while also starting to work with 3D modeling softwares like Sketchup. Gained first-hand experience with general construction and home building including permitting, site-preparation, foundation pouring, utility hook-ups, framing, roofing, insulating, electrical, plumbing, drywall, trimwork, cabinet, and countertop installation.
Front End Web Developer | Aug 2015 – July 2017
JackRabbit Systems | Santa Fe, NM
Built out custom product templates and widgets based on clients’ website designs and static mockups with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Maintained and created UI/UX features for Angular JS based product template system. Performed quality assurance testing across all major web browsers, operating systems, and devices for client deliverables. Ensured web products were built in adherence with WCAG 2.0 accessibility guidelines at compliance levels A & AA.
Digital Development Supervisor | Jan 2013 – July 2015
Hutton Broadcasting | Santa Fe, NM
Conceived web platforms for a group of radio stations and the community-based website Santafe.com from the information architecture and wire-framing through design, development, and maintenance. Directed website UI/UX improvements based on customer feedback, website analytics, and company needs.
Editorial Assistant | June 2011 – Jan 2013
Hutton Broadcasting | Santa Fe, NM
Managed and edited website content including blogs, articles, videos, and podcasts for six radio stations and the community-based website Santafe.com. Functioned as the photo editor and created a cohesive visual landscape on the website. Contributed to social media accounts to share website content and drive traffic.
SITE Guide | June 2011 – Jan 2013
SITE Santa Fe | Santa Fe, NM
Engaged in critical dialogues with the museum’s guests about the on-going exhibition using the Visual Thinking Strategies methodology. Developed a deep understanding of each exhibition’s artists, artworks, and curatorial goals based on research and presentations given to other education department staff. Enforced museum rules and provided security for the art.