Finding Your Line with Shantell Martin

Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 34

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Contemplating existential questions about identity, internationally renowned artist and philosopher Shantell Martin began an artistic journey to “find her line” and help others do the same. “A line is accessible, but you can’t hide from it…Literally anyone can make a line, but only each individual has a line that can become recognizably theirs.” Influenced by both the simplicity and profoundness of this idea, Shantell built a thriving career around her own line, leveraging it for performances as a visual jockey, artwork NFTs and technological innovations, and large-scale collaborations on public and private commercial projects. This episode reflects on some of these projects, including her choreography of Kites for the Boston Ballet and her massive Stream of Consciousness drawing that NINE dot ARTS helped curate for the Denver Theatre District. The episode concludes with a powerful call to action for all patrons of the arts. “We romanticize and value art but we don’t support and value artists,” says Shantell, emphasizing the value in creating and sharing art to spread its power with the masses while “enabling artists to enable themselves.”

Discussed in the Episode: 
Lines – Shantell Martin – HENI Publishing
NEW/NOW Exhibition at the New Britain Museum of American Art
How Drawing Can Set You Free – TED
LINE by Shantell Martin for the Whitney Museum Shop
How I Became 100 Artists – TED
Shantell Martin Stream of Consciousness Installation for the Denver Theatre District
Shantell Martin’s NFT “THE QUESTION” for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) 
Ben Sheppe
Shantell Martin’s Charge Yourself, an immersive installation at Chandran Gallery
KITES – A Ballet, choreographed by Shantell Martin for the Boston Ballet
The May Room by Shantell Martin on Governer’s Island
The Cage – New York City Ballet
Twitter – Shantell Martin
Instagram – Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin on YouTube
Provenance – Shantell Martin on YouTube


About Shantell Martin:
Shantell Martin is a public speaker, curator,  philosopher, cultural facilitator, teacher, choreographer, songwriter, performer, and more. From fashion and celebrity collaborations to positions at MIT Media Lab, NYU Tisch ITP, Columbia University’s Brown Institute, and choreographing a ballet at the Boston Ballet, Shantell’s drawn LINE constantly evolves. Creating new connections between fine art, education, design, philosophy, and technology, Shantell explores themes such as intersectionality, identity, and play. 

In addition to prestigious solo shows at some of the most renowned art institutions including the 92Y Gallery in New York City, the iconic Albright Knox Gallery, and the New Britain Museum of Contemporary Arts, Shantell has carved a path for herself that is as much intellectual as a producer and visual artist. At the Brown Institute for Media Innovation, she created a large-scale wall installation and worked with the Institute’s research group to explore how visual and computerized storytelling might influence media and technology innovation. At the NYU Tisch ITP (Interactive Telecommunications Program), she works with her students to push the boundaries of storytelling, visual art, and technology. Learn more here.


About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art and placemaking in the built environment. Hosted by NINE dot ARTS CEO Martha Weidmann, episodes explore art, culture, community, and more with a range of reputable business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a social impact. All episodes will be available on our YouTube Channel or wherever you get your podcasts!