Hybrid Studio Practice: Creating Visualizations of American Sign Language in Participation with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities

This paper explores the concept of Hybrid Studio Practice through Kevin Orlosky’s experiences in public art, collaborative endeavors, and academic studies. Rejecting traditional disciplinary boundaries, Orlosky embraces a fluid approach that draws from various fields, techniques, and traditions. He finds traditional terms like "interdisciplinary" or "multidisciplinary" insufficient and instead draws inspiration from hybridity, emphasizing the creation of spaces between disciplines. Orlosky’s practice sits at the intersection of fine art and design, with each informing the other without hierarchy. His hybrid approach encompasses disciplines such as public art, sculpture, painting, photography, and social practice, allowing for diverse viewer experiences across different spaces and contexts. The paper outlines a bank of considerations underpinning their hybrid artistic practice, including participation, materiality, and language, examining how these elements contribute to defining hybrid studio practice. The case studies of "We Belong" and "Expressions in ASL" exemplify this practice, demonstrating the interconnectedness of various elements in art creation beyond conventional categorizations. These case studies illustrate how hybrid studio practice integrates knowledge from various disciplines and traditions, informing a more expansive approach to art creation. Ultimately, Orlosky highlights the fluidity and interconnectedness of hybrid studio practice, where projects develop in tandem, influencing and enriching each other throughout the process.