Meet Dan Ostrov

Farther north from the Norris Street site there is a studio full of glass. After passing a fairly large scary dog, I find Mike Smash, assistant Johnny Buss, and intern Daniel Ostrov working on some mosaic pieces. As Brad and I entered the room, we could hear a movie in the background and the guys were joking as they cut tile. Dan was laying out the glass for the outline of a leaf, cutting tiny pieces that perfectly mimicked the drawing underneath. There were almost six finished panels along one wall and another two were in the process of being worked on. The site at 60th and Woodland, was a series of tall cement benches. The neighborhood decided it would be a good place to put some artwork so they hired Mural Arts to beautify the benches. Drawing inspiration from the six major cultures of the area, Africa, Korea, China, Sierra Lionne, Lyberia and the Dominican Republic each bench was significant to one culture. Working on a leaf of a water lily on the Chinese inspired bench Dan worked as we talked.

Name: Dan Ostrov
Age: 27

Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin

Curent Location: Philadelphia

Education: MFA from Tyler School of Art

Preferred Medium: Glass or Wood

Site: 60th and Woodland

Artist: Mike Smash

Jobs at Site: Cutting, laying and grouting the tiles and glass.

Job questions:

Why did you apply for this internship? I applied to get involved with Mural Arts. I enjoy working on public art and this is one of the best places to get experience in that.

What do you plan on gaining from this experience? A comprehensive knowledge of mosaics as well as a personal transition from blown glass and three demensional sculptures to flat or cut glass.

Future Plans? I am going to be teaching at a High School this coming fall, and I hope to make some public art projects.

Favorite Mural? Common Threads on Broad and Spring Garden

Personal Questions:

What are you listening to? Felice Brother which is an American Band.

Favorite color? Dark blue.

Favorite Food? Eel sushi or crawfish et tu fait.

Favorite Season? Spring

Favorite Emotion? melancoly, or mercurial. I'm not sure mercurial is an emotion but i still like it.

If you could be an animal...? I'd be a woodchuck

Did you remember sunscreen? Yeah, though I don't really need it since I'm inside most of the time.

Favorite place on earth? New Orleans

How do you think art can change the world? It helps people to understand that we're all the same.