100 Colorado Creatives: Lynne Bruning

Denver-based but with an international following, Lynne Bruning studied neuroscience and architecture, but found her place in the world as a weaver, designer and well-traveled e-textile expert active in the worlds of the Internet, Maker Faires, hackerspaces and Burning Man. In a brilliant twist, Bruning blends an innate proficiency in the most ancient of textile arts with the most progressive ideas, somehow remaining down-home while also being technologically sophisticated at the same time. We asked Bruning to share her intercontinental point of view by answering the 100CC questionnaire; keep reading and see if you can keep up.

See also: 100 Colorado Creatives: Julie Carr

May I please collaborate with the future? The Inventor of Human Quantum Teleportation will have my full support in developing and testing the space time continuum.

Who in the world is interesting to you right now, and why?

Barcelona is my current pearl of fascination. It is a vibrant hive of artists, students and inventors all working on their creations, sharing information and pooling resources. It is very affordable and welcoming for the world's brightest and most talented risk takers, resulting in some of the most stimulating cross-pollinating conversations I've had all year.

What's one art trend you want to see die this year?

Die -- that's so terminal. Lets think about progress! We need more global fablabs and hackerspaces. Along the Front Range we have the Club Workshop and Solid State, where anyone can buy time on laser cutters, 3D printers and take classes in anything from electronics to welding. Fablabs and hackerspaces provide us with access to the tools, work space and community so that we can learn, prototype and fabricate our designs.

Growing up, I was surrounded by family and friends who embodied the belief that if you do something you love and do your best at it every day, then you will never need a job. I founded the eTextile Lounge, where I write blog posts and film educational tutorials to foster the global eTextile community. Consulting on wearable computing projects, lecturing and teaching workshops keeps me traveling around the globe and back again. Additionally, for the past ten years I have worked with the Black Rock City's Department of Public Works to design, build and support the infrastructure for Burning Man.

A mystery patron offers you unlimited funds for life. What will you do with it?

I am an avid supporter of open source education, creative commons and open computing. A great deal of information is shared globally thru edX, Instructables, github, as well as through my online teaching forums, but I've learned that even with all of these technological advances, which bring us mentally closer to expand our horizons, people still want to build and share real-time relationships.

If I was offered unlimited funds I would outfit shipping containers with a 3D printer, laser cutter, TC-1 loom, electronics and a video studio. I would then travel with the mobile workshops to underfunded hackerspaces worldwide and infuse these local communities with the enthusiasm generated by a critical mass of like-minded creators and thinkers. The mobile workshops would remain while I would travel on to the next location. My business cards would read -- Fabricator of Global Imaginations, LLC.

I am gravely concerned that Denver's real estate market is pricing out the artists. If the local cultural community can purchase and hold long-term real estate investments, perhaps they would be more likely to remain in Colorado. But as it stands when comparing price and size versus cultural benefits and artistic synergy, Denver is rapidly losing ground compared to the Brewery in L.A., the Crucible in Oakland, Generator in Reno, as well as the number of artists buying buildings in Detroit. Any successful business owner would agree that purchasing real estate and investing in capital improvements is a smart longterm business decision; artists need to be able to own their real estate to assure their financial stability and artistic freedom.

Johnny Klein! The host of Colorado's creative community! Since 2004, when he gathered the first Mindspark group together, to 2014's Art of Winter and Denver Start Up Week, Johnny has kept the local art and innovation community informed and connected to what's happening both nationally and locally. Johnny also manages Something Independent, Drumbeat www.drumbeat.us and the Wright Award, which promoted Colorado arts and innovation on a national scale -- helping us make vital connections beyond our backdoor.

What's on your agenda in the coming year?

Between now and September I teach workshops in Amsterdam, London, D.C., and Arrowmont; help build a temporary city in Nevada for 70,000 art lovers; and lecture at the Textile Society of America in Los Angeles. The rare moments that I am in my studio are a delightful treasure when I lavish my hand-weaving looms with as much attention as possible.

Who do you think will get noticed in the local arts community in 2014?

Jake Norris!! Since he left Stranahan's, Colorado has been eagerly awaiting his new whiskey!!! When he opens those barrels, the world is going to notice.

Learn more about Lynne Bruning at her eTextile Lounge website.

Throughout the year, we'll be shining the spotlight on 100 superstars from Denver's rich creative community. Stay tuned to Show and Tell for more, or visit the 100 Colorado Creatives archive to catch up.

To keep up with the Froyd's eye view of arts and culture in Denver, "like" my fan page on Facebook.