Architect and builder Tom Saltsman has been bringing Halloween to life for his neighborhood in Boston. For nearly 20 years, Saltsman has created spectacular art installations in his yard.
Nicole Bednar sat down with Saltsman earlier today to talk about the past, present, and future of his intricate creations.
Nicole Bednar: So glad to have you. Tom, how are you doing this fun, lovely Halloween?
Tom Saltsman: I’m doing pretty good. Thanks. Nicole,
Nicole Bednar: Amazing. So just to get into it, your website showcases an insane portfolio of all of these different creatures like trolls and dragons and all other decor that you’ve made within your team. Would you mind walking me through what the process is like for creating one of these?
Tom Saltsman: Well, I mean, I can tell you that it’s, it’s an evolving process a little bit. I mean, we started this whole thing that we’re doing with the kids doing kind of a fundraiser at their local school, and it evolved into a couple of other activities around this town that I live in the process is really, you know, it’s my sketchbook, and I sit there in August trying to think of what to do, and then in September and October, that’s when I try to put it all together.
Nicole Bednar: Amazing. And so what kind of value do you find in putting these installations in front lawns or in your driveway rather than in museums?
Tom Saltsman: Because I’m in the construction business, and, you know, I can take extra materials and dumpster dive and bring things together to make them they don’t really come apart and go together very well. So I have a collection of bits and pieces of all the years and stuffed away in little corners. But for the most part, everything is done for its incredibly short existence.
Nicole Bednar: I feel like, in terms of like having people seeing your work, is there a difference in you wanting to keep it local, rather than trying to put it into a place where a ton of different other people can see it?
Tom Saltsman: No, I would, I mean, I would be happy to do that. I mean, I just look, I do this because I have a job, actually, so I’m, I’m pretty busy putting in, you know, a good 40 to 60 hours a week, anyway, with my business. You know, this is something that I do because I love sculpture. I love exploring all the different technical aspects of all of these things I love haunts. You know, all of that world is, is exciting. I mean, I grew up with interested in that. But there’s something really kind of special about it being just in this one location. And people kind of come to find it. It’s not easy to see. You could drive right by and miss it.
Nicole Bednar: Going off of what you were previously talking about, of you loving sculpture and stuff like that, what would you say is your favorite part of creating this experiential piece of art?
Tom Saltsman: It’s definitely seeing it come to life. I mean, like I said, it exists in sketches. These are like, just concept ideas. You know, it’s having that idea and then seeing it come alive, and then, you know, you step back, you add some sound effects and music and then, you know, people get it. That’s pretty exciting.
Nicole Bednar: What are you creating? What is your biggest piece this year?
Tom Saltsman: It’s probably this head. I mean, this year I was interested in, I mean, I live in a house. It was built in 1823, and you know the thought that, you know, what were those people like? Even though we think we’re just like them, how did they live? That’s so different than the way we live. And then to project that forward 100 years and say, well, what’s that like, especially with things speeding up around AI and technology and robotics. So, you know, I grabbed onto that. There’s an underlying story about connectivity amongst people. And, you know, there’s this very large rear projection face that is, in a sense, the entity I consider it. And it’s actually my daughter’s face projected on about a six-foot-high face shell, and that sits inside of one of the garage bays. And then there’s an actual robot, about human sized robot that does a series of movements. That’s actually my face on that robot, and then the robot’s tethered to what we call Spike. It’s a blown-up version of a mite.
Nicole Bednar: Looking back at the variety showcased in your work, is there anything you’re still looking to make that just hasn’t happened yet?
Tom Saltsman: The list is long, you know, I have a huge thrill of, you know, monsters from back in my childhood. So there’s a long, long list of things. And, you know, there’s many, many creatures to do. What can I say?
Nicole Bednar: Final question, now that today is actually Halloween, how many people do you think are you expecting to show up tonight?
Tom Saltsman: I have no idea. We have a very we have we live in a one-way street. You know, there’s a long line of cars that come up. Last year we did a troll, and it was a Nordic Forest troll, and he was sleeping in the driveway. And the whole walk-through experience was a forest...the line ended up going many blocks down the street.
Nicole Bednar: Where can people find how to follow along on your journey and making these pieces for next year?
Tom Saltsman: Certainly, my website. There’s a section called special projects, and that’s what these are. You’re always welcome to reach out and send me your thoughts.
Nicole Bednar: Perfect. Thank you so much. It was so lovely having you on today. Thanks.
Tom Saltsman: Nice talking to you.