Unfinished drywall. That’s where the story of Soft Surplus begins. Soft Surplus, a multidisciplinary collective in East Williamsburg, is more than just a space. It is a living, breathing experiment in shared creativity.
Soft Surplus emerged in 2018. It is a collective of artists, designers, and technologists. They came together to share ideas, skills, and even dumplings. The members include Angie Meitzler, Austin Wade Smith, Dan Taeyoung, Katie Giritlian, Lai Yi Ohlsen, Lucy Siyao Liu, Melanie Hoff, Rachel Haberstroh, and Taylor Zanke.
What exactly is Soft Surplus? It’s a bit different for everyone involved. For some, it’s a framework to anchor their practice and share it with others. For others, it is a place to learn by making. Dan Taeyoung sees it as a garden. It is a messy, sunny garden where different plants grow together.
The “soft opening” party in July was a key moment. It helped them to turn ideas and conversations into a warm night of excitement. The opening highlighted the ways that Soft Surplus can connect communities. These communities extend beyond its membership.
The words “soft” and “surplus” are important to the collective. Austin Wade Smith believes surplus allows for new thoughts and relationships. Dan Taeyoung sees softness as generosity and understanding. Surplus can be an extra moment to help a friend. Hardness, on the other hand, is seen as rigid and exclusionary.
The location of Soft Surplus in East Williamsburg is significant. The neighborhood faces real estate development and gentrification issues. Soft Surplus addresses these issues by supporting community. They create a collectively run space without profit motives. This supports a collective through shared resources. They are hesitant about being public-facing. This is a critique against real estate speculation.
Soft Surplus explores many subjects in their zines. These include future nation states and social technologies. SURPLUS is a monthly internal zine. It allows members to share ideas and collaborate.
The members have varied relationships with technology. Some see it as a tool. Others grapple with its placelessness. Still, others consider zine making itself a technology. It can disseminate information independently.
What’s next for Soft Surplus? More cozy studio hangouts. They will have more potlucks and lightweight residencies. Also, more projects, dinners, and reading groups.
Soft Surplus is a space for experimentation and collaboration. Soft Cirque, a platform for circus performances, was born there. In their production, PLAY, aerialists and musicians combined their practices. They relied on spontaneity.
Soft Surplus is a reminder of the power of community. It is a space where creativity flourishes and ideas are shared. It is a place where softness and surplus create something truly unique.