Kyle DeWoody is a co-founder and the creative director of GREY AREA, a project that explores the undefined space between art and design. With an online store and a new store/gallery/project space in SoHo, GREY AREA brings together art made functional and the functional made into art in accessible environments. Since its inception, GREY AREA has put together pop-up shops in various locations, using each environment to explore new themes and present experiential art along side the physical work. Before GREY AREA, Kyle was a freelance designer curator, consultant and writer. She’s on the executive committee of the Whitney Contemporaries, and is an ambassador for Creative Time. Read below for our Q&A with Kyle on her work at GREY AREA, how she is involved in Dossier’s charity event and more!
Paddle8: Can you briefly speak about what you are working on now with Grey Area now and any other projects in the pipeline that you are excited about?
Kyle DeWoody: We are taking GREY AREA to new levels across the board, working on a redesign of the site, creating more programming and art-meets-retail experiences for our SoHo showroom, and crafting a variety of brand collaborations and special projects. One I can mention is a collaboration with Helmut Lang featuring the work of Shelter Serra that will launch early November.
P8: What is your relationship to Dossier and how did you got involved with their auction? What about the magazine drew you to work on the auction committee?
KD: I was introduced to the girls of Dossier through several mutual friends, but a friendship was solidified over a birthday dinner arm-wrestling match. I love the magazine, the variety and substance of their content and the people they engage to contribute. They make smart and sincere decisions and this event is one of them. Worth Motorcycle is not your average charity cause, but it seems to be a practical and socially responsible business whose intention should be lauded and emulated.
P8: For the Dossier auction you have created a curated portfolio of works around a theme – can you describe in more detail the concept you developed for the portfolio and the artists you approached to participate?
KD: For this auction I decided to use the motorcycle and its associated lifestyle as a parameter for finding works. I asked artists that I knew had work that would fit the theme or would respond to the organization and its mission.
P8: Can you speak about a few particular pieces in the portfolio and the artists who made them – what about their work drew you to approach them for this auction?
KD: One of the first artists I approached was Sebastian Errazuriz because I know he appreciates the opportunity to investigate an idea or theme through the mediums of art and design and will do so in a stimulating way. Instead of simply donating a piece he’s already made, Errazuriz has offered to work with Worth to do a beautiful and unique customization of a vintage motorcycle just for the buyer. It will be exciting to see what they create together.
Be sure to visit Dossier’s auction on Paddle8 – all proceeds go towards the Worth Motorcycle Company, which offers NYC’s at-risk youth training on the art of vintage motorcycle restoration.