Video interview: Traveling Man artists Brad Oldham and Brandon Oldenburg

by Mike Bullock , John P. Meyer

On the day we ventured down to Swiss and Good Latimer to interview the artists involved in the Traveling Man structural art installations, our expectations were that the legs of the big metal chap were going to be either already erected or in the process of going up.

But when we arrived (at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2), there was nothing to be seen behind the fenced-in construction site except a 4' x 4' hole in the ground with a tent over it and a chap walking around in a yellow hard hat.

The chap in question turned out to be Brad Oldham, one of the two artists commissioned by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to create and install the folk-tale-translated-to-stainless-steel concept series abutting their new Deep Ellum terminal (scheduled for opening in September). Brad introduced himself to the pair of salty dudes walking around the parking lot with cameras, and explained that the unexpected overnight precip had resulted in a construction delay. So at this point all he could do constructively was to talk to us Pegnewsers and hope for better ground conditions on the morrow.

Brad's partner in the Traveling Man enterprise, Brandon Oldenburg, showed up shortly thereafter and we positioned our camera at a safe location from which to film the interview. It being close to rush hour, we had to deal with considerable traffic noise - and one big panel truck that accelerated into our view a couple minutes into the interview generated enough noise that we all had to turn around and make sure we weren't about to be plowed into the pavement.

Brandon, who is VP/Creative for Reel FX Entertainment (headquartered conveniently just a few blocks away on Crowdus St.), knew as soon as he became involved in the project that his design and animation company would benefit from some non-digital assistance in getting this decidedly real-world construction project off the ground.

So he turned to Brad, with whom Brandon had collaborated on projects in the past (including the design and realization of the Tex Avery animation award for the AFI Dallas International Film Festival, and Quick's Next Big Thing award). Brad and Brandon are currently developing a high-end line of furniture, if such a thing can be imagined.

But of course Traveling Man - all 38 feet and 30,000 pounds of him - will be their highest-profile project to date. Brandon has equally high hopes for the future reputation of the tall-standing metal rambler, speculating that the image of Traveling Man might end up becoming a Dallas landmark and icon along the lines of Pegasus - the big red horse after whom our burgeoning news empire is named.

Anyway, we'll be keeping tabs on the erection of Traveling Man - AARGH! No, let me rephrase that - we'll revisit the site (which is actually comprised of three sites within a few blocks of each other) as construction continues.

Watch Video Interview: Traveling Man in News  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

STOP THE PRESSES: Just received word from Christy at Brad Oldham's studio that the legs and hips are UP, baby, UP! Here's the lowdown (from up high):

Maybe I'll just do that, Christy.

Mike Bullock served as camera operator on this shoot.

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