Sights & Sounds: Laurel Schwulst

Common Discourse is a newsletter designed to help others (and ourselves) think through the pursuit of creativity, business, and culture.

Every week, we share a few ideas from us, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing. On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from their camera roll and a sound that resonates with them. Occasionally, we’ll write a journal with observations on what’s happening in the world.

Laurel Schwulst is a designer, educator, artist and technologist currently based in New York. Her work explores the expansive potential of the internet through poetics, connection and language. She is currently lecturing in interactive design at Princeton and tending to the Are.na Gift Shop.

One thing that consistently stands out to me when returning to Laurel’s work is the idea of utilising the web as a tool for world-building. She has such a distinct way of creating (web)sites that are akin to portals, which you can step into and discover through your screen. Though each one is designed to be a unique world, they all leave you with a sense of renewal and calm, much like the contribution she has shared with us today. Some of my favourite projects she has worked on include: Perfume Area, Ping Practice and HTML Energy.

— Alice

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Sights —

On January 23 (about a month ago), I gave my first presentation on an overhead projector. I realized it was actually my first “light show.” It centered around time…

My light show accompanied another light show about time by Jason Fulford, a photographer and publisher I admire. Using two slide projectors, Jason gave a preview of his performance at my place last year.

A couple weeks ago, I took this photo of Scott Burton’s Public Table (1978–79) on Princeton’s campus. It’s beautiful how it blurs the boundary between sculpture and furniture. It’s like a gift to the Princeton community because students can gather, eat, study, etc. at this artwork.

I find myself circling back to circular things. Specifically, I’ve been curious about the watch called Laurel, which is my name, too. It was Japan’s first wristwatch, released in 1913.

Last November I visited Japan with my parents. While visiting, I re-watched one of my favorite Japanese films called Haru from 1996, introduced to me by my friend Minami. I’ve watched it three times now.

It was my parents’ first time in Japan, and it was my first time in Kanazawa (where I took this photo).

When I was practicing for my light show, the overhead projector made this beautiful jellyfish-like light shape on my ceiling.

I enjoy flying usually. I flew from Jeju to Osaka last year during a beautiful sunset.

I’ve long admired this blue canary nightlight at my parents’ house. I learned recently it was a gift from my mom’s friend.

I love names like “Friend Center.” The name feels generous, even though “Friend” was someone’s last name (Peter Friend). Researching more, it was also a monument to friendship.

Sounds —

Five years ago my friend dj python made me a writing mix. I still play it to this day while I’m writing, so I hope you find it useful if you write, too. — Laurel

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Thanks for experiencing!

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