Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce Rosenbaum.
Bruce, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My Steampunk art and design company based in Massachusetts, ModVic (www.modvic.com) – repurposes and infuses modern technology into period antiques and salvage objects – creating inspiring, authentic, relevant, functional, fantastical and personal one-of-kind Steampunk objects and spaces for individuals, families, homes, offices, corporations restaurants, hotels – for anyone and anywhere!
ModVic works with clients all across the country to take personal, meaningful objects, creatively combining them with relevant and cool period objects and machinery to transform the ordinary into incredible Steampunk functional art. The Steampunk art and design process celebrates history, while setting a path for a re-imagined better future — telling the personal stories of individuals, families, organizations and places.
I started ModVic as a Victorian Home Restoration company in 2007, but now has been transformed into a force of helping others in finding their passions and improving their lives.
I now travel the country, not only educating others on how to do Steampunk design and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ART and Math), but how repurposing and the ‘combination of opposites’ creative problem solving can help repurpose and transform our own lives with meaningful connections to the past, present and future.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
– Father dying of cancer when I was 17
– Diagnosed with Hodgkins in 1989 – bone marrow transplant in 1991
– Lost 5 jobs
– Bankruptcy in 2011
So, as you know, we’re impressed with ModVic – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have been dubbed the Steampunk Guru by the Wall Street Journal and Steampunk Evangelist by Wired Magazine. My functional Steampunk artwork has been featured in the Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, Architectural Digest, CNN, NPR and featured on MTV, A&E and HGTV.
My wife Melanie and I recently purchased an 1876 Victorian Church in Palmer MA to convert it into their home, gallery and workshop space. Our church conversion project is being featured in an upcoming Netflix docuseries, ‘Amazing Interiors’ on Unique Homes across the world on July 20, 2018.
My company, ModVic, works with clients all across the world to take period, repurposed, personal and meaningful objects, and creatively infuse them with modern technology to transform the ordinary into incredible Steampunk functional art. The Steampunk art and design process celebrates history, while setting a path for a reimagined better future — telling the personal stories of individuals, organizations and places.
What I do goes beyond the superficial or the aesthetic. I’m most proud of the fact I help people find their passions, become more creative problem solvers, work better with others, and be more resilient.
Not many others are fusing history + art + technology on the same level of complexity, with meaning and relevance.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
4 Goals:
1) I see a massive trend right now in real estate and developers pushing on adaptive reuse projects. I’d like to become the defacto source for bringing the heart and soul (and history) to these projects and create a Steampunk whirlwind around fusing history + art + technology.
2) Continue to promote STEM/STEAM/STEMPUNK in Museums (Worldwide ‘Discover Steampunk’ museum tour), schools (Steampunkinetics) and special needs programs (Steampunk design as Art Therapy with kids on the Autism spectrum)
3) Grow the business side of selling, concepting, designing and building functional Steampunk art sculptures for the hospitality industry, corporations and residences (boutique hotels, restaurants/bars, etc.)
4) Work with larger entities such as cities and states on large scale, city projects (I’ve been recently hired as the art consultant on ‘Steampunking’ Northern Avenue Bridge in Boston)
Overall – to integrate all the pieces of my business together, building the brand to leverage the varied components to create momentum to sustain and grow the business into an international Steampunk art and design company.
I’m a socially conscious entrepreneur and want to continue to do good in the world and do what I enjoy and make a living at it.
Contact Info:
- Website: modvic.com
- Phone: 781.784.0250
- Email: bruce@modvic.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/modvic
Image Credit:
Matt Norris (1st photo with mannequin and 3rd photo tripod piece)
David Burk (bandsaw work table)
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
