Meet Debra

Q. Debra, tell us about your background. How did you become Tension Fabric Structure’s leading lady?

My background is in Fine Art, sculpture, performance art and design.  Truth be told I have worked in many mediums and I believe that FABRIC picked me!

Q. How did you make the transition from performance to décor?

Truthfully from fine arts and sculpture I entered into performance art. Pink Inc.’s art in motion was always abstract sculptural form inhabited by movement actors.  Stage sets were a natural addition creating an environment to focus the live art experience. Décor was a natural outcome and always was a part of Pink Inc.  The décor grew into industries more quickly then the performance art did.

Q. Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I was always a Creative, an artist and craftsperson and a creative thinker. I believe a designer creates artworks that can be categorized in different industries and therefore sold as product.

Q. Tell us a little about the Fortunettes and/or Kaplan’s Burlesque.

These quirky characters are the figurative part of Pink Inc.’s art in motion. Women rule!

Q. When did you found Pink Inc?

Pink Inc came out of my college education and a collaboration with Cindy. I get asked all the time – why and how the name Pink Inc?  The two of us were looking for a name for our team and we were artists, we liked color, we were women and we were asking everyone we knew – someone blurted PINK INC! out at a diner party and it stuck! We never looked back!

Q. What have been some of the most difficult or rewarding jobs you have been a part of?

Some of the most difficult projects we have worked on has had to do with representing figures or shapes exactly.  For instance in late 90’s we did an amazing project at the Maritime Aquarium and well – take a look at the work we did with sculptural form and installation.

Around that time we also traveled to Sarajevo – We brought Pink Inc.’s art in motion into a war torn country and introduced them to our light hearted, feel good performance work.  We manipulated our Gigantic Ribbons in the streets and we brought Tale of the Dog a 30 minute live animation and The Fortunettes – with some burlesque moments which we may have shocked a couple of folks even though we are just Live Cartoons!

Recently two of our most difficult and challenging projects were The Superfly Fish for Outside Lands Festival and The two GIANT Tree of Life’s for the Dallas Cowboys halftime game at Thanksgiving.

The Fish required complex patterning for the 3d shape and complex layout and matching of printed patterns. Luckily the team’s hard work paid off with these amazing hanging fish!

The GIANT Tree of Life’s – event though it is OUR proprietary project, we built these structures bigger then we had ever before.  They are 80’ tall and 100’ wide.  We worked with a physical model as well as 3-D computer model as well as using all our knowledge of this type of structures and rigging.  Our clients did an excellent job of installation – you must see it to believe it! Watch the live fabric décor reveal here as it was seen on Thanksgiving 2009 on national TV!

Q. Other than being one of the originators in the field, what do you think sets you and Pink Inc. apart from the other companies out there?

Pink Inc.’s creative work really sets us apart from others in the field.  We are also working to create new projects and products that the events world can integrate into their own larger designs.  Our rental product line is available for quick turns as well as for events and exhibits with longer lead times.  Our custom work, using stretch fabric and aluminum tube structure allows us to design any shape imaginable!

Q. When not working on projects for Pink Inc, what do you do for fun?

Go to the gym, long walks in NYC, I have an 18 year old daughter that snowboards so we do that too!

Q. What do you do to stay in touch with the design world?

Observation. I look a lot. I see a lot of things.  I search online, I look at books, I observe everyday life.  I live and love NYC and I see so much everyday. Store fronts, fashion on the streets, social media, clubs, restaurants, environments.  Trade shows, travel, industry news, spectacles. I don’t watch too much TV (right now) anymore.

Q. What changes have you seen in your years in the business?

At first no one new what Tension Fabric Structures were. Stretchy fabric shapes we would try to explain.  There was a big explosion with events and exhibits in particular, that really put Tensile Architecture on the map. Live events where you could see these products in action lead the way and of course the internet has fueled the fire to create an educated consumer. And with all THAT comes competition!

Overcoming the art world to realize it was time to create needed industry products was a hurtle for us to initially overcome. Now we keep our eyes out to see what we can add to the events, exhibits, architectural interiors industries.  Our costumes and custom design are still some of the most existing and creative work that we accomplish and add to our industry repertoire!

Q. What do you think the future holds, and how will you and Pink Inc. be a part of it?

New forms – more fabric types, outdoor applications, lighting integrated, media in combination, even more outrageous forms as tension fabric structures have unlimited design capabilities. Hard walls and other materials mixed with fabrics. Fabric printing has come such a long way and it will continue to push technological boundaries. (I just heard about a screen that works – like a TV – but it is created by printing on fabric! - same deal with photovoltaics! ) More textures!  More colors! Exciting times ahead!