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Meet Geoffrey Dohrmann of Deep Space Drive-In in Five Points

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Geoffrey Dohrmann.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Geoffrey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago and when I was young, I spent most of my time competing with my older brother in everything from video games to hockey and he was such a big influence on my character. As I got older, my parents supported my growing interest in fine arts. I was able to show my work and learn from local artists before I had finished middle school, but I ended up taking a break from the arts that would last several years.

I took an inspiring class on street art and mass production of images late senior year of high school and I really felt a drive to get involved in more than just drawing and painting for fun. I started by cutting stencils and trying them out in my neighborhood before I spray painted a few designs on shirts and later screen printed them. I also started a t-shirt business that ended almost just as fast as it began, but I learned so much as an entrepreneur and got my first taste of art as a career.

I moved to Colorado to attend the University of Denver where I received a degree in Emergent Digital Practices and learned about growing forms of digital art and their relationship to computer science. I would also end up meeting my future business partner and friend Travis Powell.

The first year or so after college, I worked in freelance graphic design while taking on jobs projecting visuals for friends or the occasional large production, but I always looked for a path into interactive design and immersive art. My opportunity finally arrived when Travis approached me about joining his business, Deep Space Drive-In and we have been a partnership ever since.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey seems smooth in reflection because I have such a good support system of family, friends, and especially my fiancé that push me to overcome my troubles and shortcomings. The truth is I was also emotionally treading water for the better half of a decade, trying to avoid being consumed by self-sabotage and self-doubt.

I had a lot of emotional help and have always tried to return that kindness wherever I can by offering whatever support I can. I am glad I was able to come out the other side with a sense of humor and passion for what I do. I didn’t expect to be here this long and now I am so fortunate I get to do what I love with some really great people.

Please tell us about Deep Space Drive-In.
Deep Space Drive-In is an interactive and immersive design company originally founded by my business partner, Travis Powell with the intent on making new media concepts more accessible to the local arts community.

At DSDI, we specialize in projection based installations featuring interactivity like motion-tracked/audio responsive generative visuals. We have taken these concepts to all sorts of different environments like ballets, fine art shows, corporate events, acrobatic performances, and activism gatherings.

Every Monday (weather/season permitting) we project activism art from the rooftop of our studio that we have gathered from artists in Denver and around the country. So far, we have had upwards of 75+ artists and unique pieces whether it be painting, video, photography, poetry, and several others. We are always looking for more activism art to share to keep an open dialogue on a wide variety of social issues.

We are most proud to be a part of the local community. The impact it has had on us in terms of shaping our goals as a company is immense. Our aim is to add to Denver’s already unique creative thumbprint by finding ways to combine new media with the diversity of art’s different forms in the city.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My brother used to wake me up late at night to go on drives with him. Nowhere in particular, just driving around Chicago listening to music and occasionally speeding a little on the highway. I think those memories are my favorite because I still stay up late listening to hip/hop and that is when I get my best work done. I still tend to think of my brother and picture myself as a kid in the passenger seat with our late-night burgers as he does donuts in the snow.

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Image Credit:
@dittlo_

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