Can unbounded creativity and elegant, professional delivery go hand in hand? Can simple ingredients combine into refreshingly new form and function?
Welcome to PARADOX.
With over 15 years of event experience, hundreds of stage productions, concerts, festivals, parades, tours, themed events, immersive art installations and beyond, PARADOX will enjoy the challenge at hand, and confidently deliver.
PARADOX Media is a creative collective specializing in elegant and professional event production and support of a vast network of artists. Their work is anchored in the mission of bridging communities through inspiring, immersive engagement.
WHO IS PARADOX?
JUSTIN KATZ
Founder, Producer, Creative Director
For over 20 years, Justin has been extensively involved in community development through the arts. A Bay Area native, he has worn many hats including that of bassist, composer, theatre company manager, venue owner, booking agent, graphic designer, non-profit program director, and civic arts producer. He worked as a production manager - and eventually Director of Production - for Goldenvoice San Francisco, learning every element of music and festival production along the way, including theatres, arenas, and stages at Coachella and Panorama NYC. In addition to cultivating the creative vision of PARADOX Media, he is also currently serving as the Executive Producer of Burning Man Project’s year-round events, working with global programs to help nurture the creative culture born out of Black Rock City. He is a founding member of the beloved Bay Area cult-favorite band Rosin Coven, who founded The Edwardian Ball in the late 90’s and, as a lead producer, has helped it grow into a beloved annual event that attracts celebrants from around the world, twenty-one years strong. A proud father of two wonderful lads, he is also serving as the Chair of the Berkeley Jazz Association, a non-profit organization supporting the widely renowned jazz program at Berkeley High School. Through and because of all of this, he remains optimistic and inspired by the ever-changing landscape of artful ambition and creative dreams.
PARADOX: Art Doesn’t Make Sense Doesn’t Make Art!
DEVYN MADSEN
Creative Partner
Devyn Madsen is a Philadelphia transplant whose heart was stolen by the Bay Area's colorful and dynamic culture. Upon moving to San Francisco 12 years ago- she found herself immersed heavily in the night life, music and art scenes of the city. Devyn's interests flowed naturally into events. She has coordinated coordinated a multitude of community events, private events, concerts, festivals, weddings, and creative productions. This year has also presented the opportunity to work in designing, creating, and producing many virtual events. She has worked extensively in hospitality, creating and coordinating artistic food and beverage for productions of all sizes, locally and internationally. Her passion for community has allowed her the opportunity to support a wide network of engagement. This year is also her third year holding the role of Content Director for the East Bay Mini Maker Faire, for which the shift to a virtual event led her to being both the designer and curator for a creative, online event. She also proudly holds a role as Associate Producer for San Francisco’s esteemed Edwardian Ball. Additionally, Devyn spends time supporting creative development and designing and developing dynamic websites for up-and-coming artists. Devyn's passions run deep through event creation as a way to bring community together through art.
AARON LANE
Summoned to the Bay Area in November of 2000 from his artist studio deep in the shire like woods of the Oregon Coast, Aaron has touched many facets of the ever morphing NorCal arts scene. Beginning with an Artist in Residency position at the University of Creation Spirituality, Aaron soon became co-founder of "The Black Box Theater" in Oakland (Currently "The Uptown" where he continues to curate art exhibits). There, he helped create a space for Oakland musicians, singers, rappers, dancers, painters, and many other artists to thrive and be celebrated at a time when very few outlets were to be found around the town. His experience in oil painting, and business development have lead him through many years of gallery curating, event management, festival production and, creative collaboration with his wife's comedy cabaret, burlesque troupe, "Fou Fou Ha!" where he is whimsically known as "Papa Fou!" Aaron has also invested time in the corporate sector, focusing on energy sustainability, and creative events for product launches. With this corporate and creative experience, PARADOX Media provides the edgy, and sensible acumen required to bring ineffable vitality to management and production.
ALEE MATUS
Six years ago Alee joined the PARADOX Media team as the Edwardian Ball VIP lead. She has been a proud member of the production team ever since! On the side, she enjoys creating costumes, acting, and dancing. Fun fact: if you are in the right place at the right time and right year, you may see her twin Livinia Enhelle on stage during an event.
TJ "TREE JAY" LEE
San Francisco native TJ Lee might be from a different time. He certainly explores that in his lamps and pieces made from assemblages of found and created objects. A proud Burning Man Temple builder, he fosters community through empowering others to learn through creative collaboration. TJ is a proud contributor of the The Time travelers Vignette and the Edwardian Ball and as well as many other PARADOX projects, including his most recent work on Doorways Home, and immersive art installation built at Shoreline Amphitheatre.
ANNA QUINONES
Anna "AuntieSocial" Quinones joined the Paradox Media team in 2007 - assisting in the production of Mission Bazaar and, the Edwardian Ball San Francisco & Los Angeles where she currently holds the title of "Vending Queen", curating over 50 spectacular artisans for the vendor bazaar each year. Anna has been working for DPW Burning Man since 2009 and, in 2015 curated the dynamic Man Pavilion Stages. She is also the mastermind, & "head hooker" behind Auntie Social Designs, one of a kind amigurumi taxidermy.
JULIA ZOLINSKY
Julia Zolinsky has worked in the arts world for nearly her entire career, overseeing partnerships, sponsorship, and fundraising for major museums, galleries, and events. A native of Oakland, CA (one of those rare breeds), Julia spent 10 years in Los Angeles where she earned her DJing chops in the club scene and began working in arts administration. She moved back to Oakland in 2011, and has since immersed herself in the Bay Area creative community. Julia is also the co-founder of Blackbird Underpinnings, a vintage-inspired lingerie brand centered around values of inclusivity and self-expression. Joining the PARADOX Media team brings together all of Julia’s passions for creating meaningful partnerships, making beautiful things, and fostering a thriving creative community.