| Issue #27 - September 26, 2008 |
Honoring the Artist: Doug Zider
This week's cover artist, Doug Zider, is a "man for all seasons." Not only is he a graphic designer for NBC-TV, but he is also a maritime artist. We have the distinct feeling that Zider could do anything, in fact, that he puts his mind to, so potent is his enthusiasm for life.
Q: You've been at NBC for a long time. How do you react to the changes over the years?
A: First, it's a pleasure to work with people who were there in the beginning when TV was black and white. I miss the old equipment we used to work with, however. I'm a steak and potato man; I don't like pushing buttons like we do now. I like to feel something in my hands.
Q: Actually, I know what you mean. When I majored in TV production at New York University I had to push around these huge TV cameras. But awkward as they were, I loved it. How about the sets for T V programs now? How have they changed?
A: We have virtual sets. We put the talent before green screens; it's not real.
Q: What new technology do you expect in the future?
A: Well, we have HD now which gives us higher resolution and raises the standards. In years to come, we'll have more interaction and holigrams. But you know, no matter what production values we have, we will still need writers who can write a good comedy script, for example.
Q: Your own art is also important to you. I know you commute to New York and then come home and often paint. Tell me about what kinds of things you have been doing, practical things like sizes and media?
A: I paint small, and I paint big. Of course, the stuff that's bigger has less detail and can be more abstract. I also concentrate on originals; you have to have a volume of work, to continue to produce work, but I did create lithographs about 10 years ago. Now I do prints and mostly originals.
Q: How about the cover, "Big Sky?" How does that relate to your work?
A: It's really Montana although I usually do local scenes. But it looks so much like Long Island. A man commissioned me to do it as a wedding present, and I asked if the scene had water in it. When he said,"Yes," I said I could do it. Painting water is my thing because, as you know, I'm a coastal maritime artist. People like to bring my local scenes with them when they move from the area; they feel secure with having familiar things around them.
Q: Speaking of familiar things, you do a lot of collecting of local objects.
A: Yes, I pick up shells and stones. It's amazing what the heavens can create. I also like to collect things that aren't local, like coins from the Civil War.
Q: Why the Civil War?
A: We were brought up to believe that war was only in a foreign land. But the Civil War was about masses of men, brother against brother, on our own soil. It was the saddest war we ever had. I thank God everyday that we live where we do.
- Marion Wolberg Weiss
Mr. Zider's works will be on view starting Nov. 8 at Allison Corey Fine Arts in Great Neck. His website is www.dougzider.com
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