Winter 2013/14 Issue | 14

Forget Good Winter 2013/14 Issue 14

featuring Vincent Como, Patrick Segura, Tonja Torgerson, Grin City Collective, et al.

Chyrum Lambert, 4 Noah Furman, 8 Callum Green, 14 Ashely Peifer, 18 Pablo Cots, 24 Isauro Huizar, 30

Grin City Collective, 34 Tonja Torgerson, 46 Patrick Segura, 54 Vincent Como, 64

4

Chyrum

I Was Born At Thirty-­Three (Self-­ Portrait, A Still Life, And Souvenir)

Lambert

What  is  the  best  thing  to  eat  while  watching  T.V.?

I am probably the least TXDOLÀHG SHUVRQ WR DQVZHU WKLV TXHVWLRQ DV , GRQ W KDYH a T.V.. But I go to the cinePD DQG VRPHWLPHV , EULQJ D EDJ RI GDWHV RU GDUN FKRFolate, but really not very RIWHQ 7KLV ZLOO PDNH PH VRXQG OLNH D ELW RI DQ ROG man, but I prefer to focus on one thing at a time, just WR NHHS P\ RZQ SURFHVVHV IURP JHWWLQJ WRR PL[HG XS DQG DOVR RXW RI UHVSHFW IRU WKH ÀOP , PD\ EH ZDWFKLQJ RU WKH ERRN , PD\ EH UHDGLQJ ,Q JHQHUDO MXVW RXW RI UHVSHFW IRU ZKDWHYHU WDVN , PD\ EH SHUIRUPLQJ , ZDQW WR EH DV IRFXVHG DV SRVVLEOH VR , FDQ VD\ WKDW , GLG WKLV RU WKDW ZLWK D VHQVH RI SULGH , GRQ W NQRZ ZKHUH , UHDG WKLV SUREDEO\ VRPH ]HQ W\SH HDVWHUQ UHOLJLRQ ERRN WKLQJ\ 'RQ W EUXVK \RXU WHHWK DQG SLVV at the same time."

What  is  your  hometown  like  and  how  is  the  art  community  there?

0\ KRPHWRZQ LV LQ :DVKLQJWRQ 6WDWH D OLWWOH FLW\ FDOOHG 7DFRPD ,W V D YHU\ ZRUNLQJ FODVV WRZQ VLWXDWHG RQ WKH 3XJHW 6RXQG 7KHUH DUH D JRRG GHDO RI DUWLVWV OLYLQJ WKHUH DQG WKHUH V D VPDOO DUW VFHQH EXW , ZDV QHYHU UHDOO\ D SDUW RI LW EHFDXVH , IHHO WKDW ZLWK VPDOOHU FRPPXQLWLHV LW V KDUG WR JHW DQ\ WUXH FULWLFLVP RI \RXU ZRUN $FTXDLQWDQFHV WHQG WR KROG EDFN D ELW EXW SHRSOH ZKR , KDYH QHYHU PHW DQG PD\ QHYHU PHHW DJDLQ WKH\ GRQ W KROG EDFN , SHUVRQDOO\ HQMR\ WKH VXSSRUW RI IULHQGV but the opinion of strangers that I meet here in Los Angeles is much more constructive.

 Everything  And  Nothing

6

Spider In The Gunbox

Power Supply

How  important  is  process  to  your  work?

, LPDJLQH SURFHVV LV SUHWW\ LPSRUWDQW WR DQ\ DUWLVW , ZRUN LQ WZR PDLQ VWHSV , SDLQW RQ SDSHU DQG WKHQ , FXW DQG FRPSRVH 8VXDOO\ DV D SDLQWHU WKHVH WZR DUH FRPELQHG LQ RQH SURFHVV VR P\ SDLQWLQJ ZRXOG ORRN YHU\ GLIIHUHQW LI , FRPELQHG WKHP 7KH EHDXW\ RI XVLQJ WKLV FXW SDSHU DSSURDFK LV WKDW LW DOORZV PH WKH OX[XU\ RI DQ DQLPDWHG FRPSRVLWLRQDO SURFHVV PHDQLQJ WKDW WKH ÀQDO LPDJH LV XVXDOO\ IXOO\ FRPSRVHG EHIRUH WKH LQGLYLGXDO SLHFHV DUH DWWDFKHG 7KXV , DP DEOH WR UHVKDSH DQG reshape until I have IRXQG WKH PRVW SRetic reorganization RI IRUP DQG FRORU ZLWKLQ WKH LPDJH ,PDJLQH WUDGLWLRQDO painting— but apSO\LQJ WKH SDLQW DQG then reorganizing ZKDW \RX MXVW DSSOLHG 7KDW V KRZ , ZRUN How  do  you  store  all  of  your  work?

:RUNLQJ RQ SDSHU makes storage easy.

I can store about 50 20x26 inch pieces into a box about 2 inches thick!

What  is  your  vice?

:HOO WKLV LV D WRXJK TXHVWLRQ , GRQ W NQRZ

 I  Was  Planning  On  Calling  Home  #4  (Travel  Specials)

8

Noah

&DWK\¶V (I¿J\

Furman

What  is  the  best  thing  to  eat  while  watching  T.V.?

, GRQ W ZDWFK WRR PXFK 7 9 EXW ZKHQ , GR , HQMR\ FKLSV DQG salsa.

What  is  your  hometown  like  and  how  is  the  art  community  there?

, P RULJLQDOO\ IURP (YDQVWRQ ,OOLQRLV ULJKW RXWVLGH RI &KLFDJR (YDQVWRQ LV D ZRQGHUIXO YHU\ LG\OOLF VXEXUE RQ WKH VKRUH RI /DNH 0LFKLJDQ ,W V ULJKW RQ WKH HGJH RI &KLFDJR VR JRLQJ LQWR WKH FLW\ LV HDV\ EXW LW V DOVR a nice place to go to chill at the beach in WKH VXPPHUWLPH 1RUWKZHVWHUQ 8QLYHUVLW\ LV WKHUH DQG LW IHHOV OLNH LWV RZQ SODFH <RX GRQ W KDYH WR GULYH DURXQG HYHU\ZKHUH EHFDXVH WKHUH V GHFHQW SXEOLF WUDQVLW 7KH Chicago art scene is great. There are some JUHDW PXVHXPV DQG FRPPHUFLDO VSDFHV DV ZHOO DV D WRQ RI DOWHUQDWLYH VSDFHV LQ SHRSOHV DSDUWPHQWV EDVHPHQWV DQG ZDUHKRXVHV ,W V D UHDOO\ JUHDW SODFH WR EH DQ DUWLVW WRR DV VSDFH LV DIIRUGDEOH DQG DYDLODEOH The School of the Art Institute of Chicago SURGXFHV VRPH JUHDW \RXQJ DUWLVWV DQG WKH FLW\ KDV D KLVWRU\ RI ZHLUG Ã&#x20AC;JXUDWLYH SDLQWHUV DV ZHOO DV JUHDW VFX]]\ URFN EDQGV , OLYH LQ 1HZ <RUN ULJKW QRZ ZKLFK LV REYLRXVO\ D FXOWXUDO FHQWHU EXW &KLFDJR LV KRPH DQG someplace I hope to return to eventually.

How  important  is  process  to  your  work?

3URFHVV LV LPSRUWDQW WR P\ ZRUN LQ WKDW , JHQHUDOO\ PDNH ZRUN LQ DQ LPSURYLVDWLRQDO PDQQHU , GRQ W KDYH D VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;F LGHD RI ZKDW WKH ZRUN ZLOO ORRN OLNH XQWLO , P Ã&#x20AC;QLVKHG ZLWK LW (VSHFLDOO\ ZLWK P\ PRVW UHFHQW ERG\ RI ZRUN , JHW ORVW LQ

10

Pine  Punk

Elephant  Butte

12

WKH PDWHULDO DQG WKLQJV VKLIW D ORW RYHU WKH FRXUVH RI PDNLQJ WKH ZRUN 0\ UHFHQW SDLQWLQJV DUH PDGH RI ZRRO DQG D ORW RI ZKDW , P GRLQJ ZLWK WKHP LV UHDFWLQJ WR WKH VXUIDFH DQG Ã&#x20AC;QGLQJ GLIIHUHQW ZD\V WR PDNH PDUNV :LWK WKDW VDLG WKH ZRUN LV EHVW ZKHQ LW LV QRW DERXW WKH SURFHVV DQG WKDW SURFHVV VRUW RI IDOOV DZD\ , ZDQW WKH SDLQWLQJV WR EH PRUH WKDQ D UHFRUG RI SURFHVV DQG WR IHHO DUULYHG DW LQ DQ DOO DW RQFH NLQG RI ZD\ How  do  you  store  all  of  your  work?

Miasma  Mandala

, KDYH D WRQ RI ROG SDLQWLQJV DQG VFXOSWXUHV VLWWLQJ LQ P\ SDUHQWV EDVHPHQW LQ ,OOLQRLV 5HFHQW ZRUN LV LQ ER[HV DQG FUDPPHG LQWR P\ VWXGLR DV ZHOO DV in storage at my school.

Storage is a constant problem, especially in 1HZ <RUN &LW\ ZKHUH VSDFH LV D OLPLWHG FRPPRGLW\ What  is  your  vice?

2QH WKLQJ , G FRQVLGHU D YLFH LV ORRNLQJ DW WRR PXFK DUW RQOLQH , FDQ VSHQG KRXUV RQ WKH FRPSXWHU ORRNLQJ DW DUW EORJV DQG JDOOHU\ ZHEVLWHV GLJHVWLQJ DUWZRUN RQ WKH LQWHUQHW LQVWHDG RI VHHLQJ LW LQ SHUVRQ ,W FDQ EH JRRG WR VHH DUW WKDW \RX FDQ W VHH LQ SHUVRQ EXW LW FDQ DOVR EH D KXJH GLVWUDFWLRQ IURP P\ RZQ ZRUN

Nauseous  Jeep

14

Callum

Green

Wall Cages (Blue/ Pink, Pink/Yellow)

Where  do  you  live  and  what  is  the  art  community  like  there?

, OLYH LQ 6RXWK (DVW /RQGRQ 7KHUH LV D strong art communiW\ HVSHFLDOO\ DURXQG *ROGVPLWKV ZKHUH , Ã&#x20AC;QLVKHG VWXG\LQJ LQ WKH VXPPHU ,·YH PRYHG D OLWWOH ELW IXUWKHU DZD\ QRZ EXW WKHUH·V VWLOO D JRRG DUW FRPPXQLW\ ZLWK D IHZ VPDOO JDOOHULHV DQG VWXGLRV DURXQG DQG ,·P OLYLQJ ZLWK DUWLVWV WKDW , VWXGLHG ZLWK ZKLFK LV JUHDW IRU NHHSLQJ D GLDORJXH JRLQJ DQG FRQWLQXLQJ WR PDNH ZRUN Is  your  work  inherently  a  self-­portrait?

, ZRXOGQ·W VD\ VR , VHH P\ ZRUN DV PRUH RI DQ H[SORUDWLRQ RQ KRZ , FDQ FRQWLQXH WR DSSURDFK SDLQWLQJ DV D PHGLXP ,W KDV D ORW WR GR ZLWK P\ RZQ RSLQLRQV RQ SDLQWLQJ RIWHQ TXLWH F\QLFDO DQG VHOI GHSUHFDWLQJ EXW Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen it as a self portrait.

What  do  you  listen  to  in  the  studio?

, OLNH OLVWHQLQJ WR WKH UDGLR LQ WKH VWXGLR PRUH WKDQ PXVLF D ORW RI WKH WLPH , Ã&#x20AC;QG PXVLF D ELW GLVWUDFWLQJ VRPHWLPHV ZKHQ ,·P WU\LQJ WR PDNH RU Ã&#x20AC;JXUH VRPHWKLQJ RXW DQG , SUHIHU WDONLQJ RQ WKH UDGLR DV D EDFNJURXQG QRLVH +DYLQJ VDLG WKDW ZKHQ WKLQJV DUH JRLQJ ZHOO LQ WKH VWXGLR DQG ,·P VXUH RI ZKDW ,·P GRLQJ DQG , MXVW ZDQW WR JHW RQ DQG GR LW WKHQ PXVLF is really helpful. Recently, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been listening to Kate Bush, $PHULFDQ )RRWEDOO DQG 0HHW 0H LQ 6W /RXLV

[Untitled]

16 How  do  you  explain  your  work  to  your  parents?

0\ GDG XVHG WR WHDFK DUW DQG PDNHV DUW KLPVHOI VR ,·OO RIWHQ WDON WR KLP LQ WHFKQLFDO WHUPV DERXW KRZ ,·YH PDGH VRPHWKLQJ UDWKHU WKDQ UHHOLQJ RII VRPH NLQG RI FULWLFDO VWDWHPHQW DERXW WKH ZRUN Do  you  have  any  advice  for  other  artists?

 Little  One

, GRQ·W WKLQN ,·P LQ any real position to JLYH DGYLFH WR RWKHU DUWLVWV FRQVLGHULQJ ,·YH RQO\ MXVW JUDGXDWHG IURP DUW FROOHJH DQG ,·P MXVW WU\LQJ WR Ã&#x20AC;QG P\ IHHW ZLWKout the support of a university but I GR WKLQN , FRXOG RIIHU VRPH DGYLFH WR VWXGHQWV VWLOO DW DUW FROOHJH RU SODQQLQJ RQ JRLQJ :KDW , IRXQG UHDOO\ LPSRUWDQW E\ P\ Ã&#x20AC;QDO \HDU ZDV NQRZLQJ ZKR WR OLVWHQ WR , KDG WXWRUV DQG SHRSOH DURXQG PH ZKRVH RSLQLRQV , NQHZ , FRXOG WUXVW DQG UHO\ RQ IRU JRRG DGYLFH DQG RWKHUV ZKR VDZ WKLQJV FRPSOHWHO\ GLIIHUHQWO\ DQG FOHDUO\ ZHUHQ·W SDUWLFXODUO\ LQWHUHVWHG LQ ZKDW , ZDV GRLQJ RU ZKDW , ZDQWHG WR IRFXV P\ ZRUN RQ 0\ SHUVRQDO WXWRU LQ P\ Ã&#x20AC;QDO \HDU ZDV SUHWW\ LQWHQVH DQG , QHYHU IHOW OLNH ZH UHDOO\ XQGHUVWRRG ZKDW ZH HDFK ZDQWHG WKH ZRUN WR GR ZKLFK ZDV TXLWH FKDOOHQJLQJ 7KDW·V QRW D EDG WKLQJ , DOZD\V WKLQN LW·V JRRG WR EH FKDOOHQJHG RQ \RXU ZRUN DQG LW ZDV GHÃ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ KHOSIXO LQ WKH ORQJ UXQ EXW , JXHVV ZKDW ,·P JHWWLQJ DW LV NQRZ ZKRVH FULWLFLVP WR OLVWHQ WR DQG VWDQGLQJ \RXU JURXQG ZKHQ \RX QHHG WR 7KDW ZDV SUREDEO\ D YHU\ ORQJ ZLQGHG ZD\ RI JLYLQJ D YHU\ VLPSOH SLHFH RI DGYLFH

Bullshit

Stood

18

Blinky

Ashely Peifer

Where  do  you  live  and  what  is  the  art  community  like  there?

, PRYHG WR 0LQQHDSROLV WZR \HDUV DJR IRU JUDG VFKRRO DQG the art community is really great so far.

Is  your  work  inherently  a  self-­portrait?

,Q D ZD\ \HV 7KH SDLQWLQJV KROG D PLVFKLHI DQG UDPEOLQJ VLPLODU WR D GLDU\ RI D SUH WHHQ DQG , YLHZ WKHP LQGLYLGXDOO\ DV PHPRU\ REMHFWV 0\ LPDJHU\ LV FXOOHG IURP IXQ SRS FXOWXUH RI WKH V \HW LV DEVWUDFWHG DQG OD\HUHG , XVH SXII\ SDLQW JOLWWHU DQG MDUULQJ /LVD )UDQN FRORUV WR SOD\IXOO\ UHIHUHQFH FKLOGKRRG DQG DGROHVFHQW LQWHUHVWV 7KH VKDSHV ZLWKLQ P\ ZRUN UHIHUHQFH WR\V PXVLF DQG WHOHYLVLRQ VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;FDOO\ WKLQJV OLNH *DN 0RRQ 6KRHV /DII\ 7DII\ RU 6DYHG %\ WKH %HOO 0\ SDLQWLQJV WUHDG WKH OLQH EHWZHHQ ZKDW LV UHDO DQG ZKDW LV QRVWDOJLD , DP IDVFLQDWHG E\ QRVWDOJLD·V DELOLW\ WR over-beautify or embellish a memory.

What  do  you  listen  to  in  the  studio?

, OLVWHQ WR V PXVLF WR KHOS activate memories from my FKLOGKRRG RU HDUO\ DGROHVFHQFH 0XVLF LV D XVHIXO ZD\ WR JHW closer to my memoriesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it KHOSV SURG WKH SDLQWLQJV LQWR VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;FLW\ EH\RQG MXVW WKH spontaneous collision of materials. A song can trigger a snapVKRW RI YHU\ VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;F GHWDLOV about moments from my past.

Hey  Dude

20

Kraftmac

Moonbugs

22

Pony Club II

How do you explain your work to your parents?

, SRLQW WKHP WR P\ DUWLVW VWDWHPHQW DQG FODULI\ DQ\ TXHVWLRQV

Do you have any advice for other artists?

7KH EHVW DGYLFH JLYHQ WR PH ZDV WR SDLQW DV PXFK DV SRVVLEOH HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ \RX GRQ W IHHO OLNH LW

24

Pablo

COMPOSITION OF PAINTINGS AND OBJECTS @ APONIA ART CENTER

Cots

Are  there  resources  you  wish  were  more  available  to  artists?

By "resources" you mean money? "girls love Monet" !

The most motivating thing for me is not money but interesting projects to come, still having something on the horizon.

7KHVH GD\V , P ZRUNLQJ IRU WKH &HQWUH 3RPSLGRX PDLQ LPSRUWDQW PRGHUQ FRQWHPSRUDU\ PXVHXP LQ 3DULV

GRLQJ D IXQERRN IRU WHHQDJHUV DERXW DUWLVW OLIH DQG D IHZ WLPHV , P GRLQJ D ZRUNVKRS LQ the museum about it.

Souhaites-­tu  que  les  artistes  aient  plus  de  ressources?

Ce qui me motive le plus, ce nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;est pas le gain, mais les projets intĂŠressants, et toujoXUV DYRLU GHV SURMHWV j O¡KRULzon. Comme en ce moment, MH SUpSDUH XQH pGLWLRQ SRXU OH &HQWUH 3RPSLGRX XQ FDKLHU G¡DFWLYLWpV SRXU DGROHVFHQWV HW j O¡RFFDVLRQ GH OD VRUWLH MH IHUDL XQ ZRUNVKRS SXLV XQ VHFRQG GDQV XQ FHQWUH G¡DUW SDULVLHQ PDLV DYHF XQ WKqPH GLIIpUHQW What  is  the  best  thing  someone  has  said  about  your  work?

$Q DUW FULWLF ZURWH KH KDWHG JUDIĂ&#x20AC;WL EXW KH ORYHG P\ ZRUN DW D WLPH ZKHQ , GLG D ORW RI SDLQWLQJV ZKLFK UHSUHVHQWHG ZDOOV RI JUDIĂ&#x20AC;WL

26

BAB Â EL Â OUED

Quel  est  la  plus  belle  chose  que  quelquâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;un  ait  dit  sur  ton  travail?

8Q FULWLTXH G¡DUW D pFULW TX¡LO KDLW OH JUDIĂ&#x20AC;WL PDLV TX¡LO DLPH PRQ WUDYDLO j XQH SpULRGH R MH UHSUpVHQWDLV EHDXFRXS GH PXUV UHFRXYHUWV GH JUDIĂ&#x20AC;WL

Is  art  making  a  secretive  practice?

, P QRW VXUH , XQGHUVWDQG WKH TXHVWLRQ , ZRUN DQG OLYH LQ WKH VDPH SODFH DQG LQ P\ EXLOGLQJ WKHUH DUH D ORW RI DUWLVWV VR WKHUH V QR VHFUHW DERXW DUW PDNLQJ 6RPHWLPHV , JR WR WKH VXSHUPDUNHW ZLWK P\ MHDQV FRYHUHG LQ paint.

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;art  est-­il  une  pratique  secrète?

-H QH VXLV SDV VXU GH FRPSUHQGUH OD question...

-H WUDYDLOOH HW YLV DX PrPH HQGURLW HW QRXV VRPPHV SOHLQ G·DUWLVWHV GDQV PRQ LPPHXEOH LO Q·\ D GRQF DXFXQ VHFUHW VXU QRWUH SUDWLTXH VXUWRXW TXDQG MH YDLV DX VXSHUPDUFKp DYHF PRQ MHDQ WRXW WDFKp GH peinture.

How  often  do  you  think  of  the  viewer  while  working?

, GRQ W WKLQN DERXW WKH YLHZHU , MXVW GR ZKDW L P IHHOLQJ ZKDW PDNHV PH IHHO happy or laugh. ,I \RX WKLQN DERXW WKH YLHZHU \RX ZRQ W GR \RXU RZQ ZRUN LW ZLOO EH KDQGLFUDIW Penses-­tu  souvent  au  spectateur  quand  tu  travailles?

Je ne pense pas au spectateur, je fais juste ce que je ressens, ce TXL PH GRQQH envie ou qui me fait rire. Si tu travailles en fonction GH FH TXH GLUD le spectateur, ce nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;est plus un travail personnel, ça se UDSSURFKH GH lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;artisanat

HELTER Â SKELTER

28

INSTALLATION @ APONIA ART CENTER

Have you ever been somewhere haunted?

, GRQ W WKLQN VR 7KRXJK PDQ\ WLPHV , ZHQW WR VRPH DEDQGRQHG SODFHV LQ SDULVLDQ VXEXUEV DQG 6SDLQ IRU PXUDO paintings.

As-­tu déjà été dans un lieu hanté?

-H QH FURLV SDV PrPH VL M DL VRXYHQW pWp GDQV GHV HQGURLWV DEDQGRQQpV HQ EDQOLHXH SDULVLHQQH HW HQ (VSDJQH SRXU SHLQGUH GHV PXUV

COMPOSITION OF METALLIC LETTERS @ APONIA ART CENTER

30

Presente Nativo

Isauro

Huizar

Are  there  resources  you  wish  were  more  available  to  artists?

, WKLQN WKDW WKH DYDLODELOLW\ RI UHVRXUFHV GHSHQGV RQ WKH FRQWH[W RI WKH DUWLVW :KHQ DQ DUWLVW FKDQJHV FRQWH[W WKH DYDLOable options of resources changes. , ZRXOG OLNH WR GHYHORS WKH DELOLW\ WR GLVFHUQ HYHQ PRUH SDUWV from the context as a resource. Be constantly open to the moment of art. ¿Existen  recursos  que  desearías  estÊn  mås  disponibles  para  los  artistas?

3LHQVR TXH OD GLVSRQLELOLGDG GH UHFXUVRV GHSHQGH GHO FRQWH[WR GHO DUWLVWD &XDQGR XQ DUWLVWD FDPELD GH FRQWH[WR ODV RSFLRQHV SDUD GLVSRQHU GH UHFXUVRV FDPELDQ 'HVHDUtD GHVDUUROODU OD FDSDFLGDG GH YLVOXPEUDU FDGD YH] PiV ODV SDUWHV GHO FRQWH[WR FRPR UHFXUVR (VWDU FRQVWDQWHPHQWH DELHUWR DO PRPHQWR GHO DUWH

 Presente  Nativo

32

Presente  Nativo

What  is  the  best  thing  someone  has  said  about  your  work?

Is it art? ¿Cuål  es  la  mejor  cosa  que  alguien  ha  dicho  de  tu  trabajo?

¢(V DUWH" Is  art  making  a  secretive  practice?

Presente  Nativo

I am not sure that if it is a secretive practice. I like to think that the creative act LV D PRPHQW RI LQGLYLGXDO IXOĂ&#x20AC;OOPHQW DV ZHOO DV WKH PRPHQW ZKHQ WKH VSHFWDWRU experiences the moment of art. ,W LV VRPHWKLQJ WKDW \RX FDQ VKDUH ZLWK DQRWKHU SHUVRQ RU

many people, but its nature belongs to intimacy. ÂżHacer  arte  es  una  prĂĄctica  secreta? Â

1R HVWR\ VHJXUR GH TXH VHD VHFUHWD 0H JXVWD SHQVDU TXH HO DFWR FUHDWLYR HV XQ PRPHQWR GH SOHQLWXG LQGLYLGXDO DVt FRPR OR HV HO PRPHQWR GHO HVSHFWDGRU DO H[SHULPHQWDU HO PRPHQWR GHO DUWH (V DOJR TXH SXHGHV FRPSDUWLU FRQ RWUD SHUVRQD R PXFKDV SHUR VX QDWXUDOH]D SHUWHQHFH D OD LQWLPLGDG How  often  do  you  think  of  the  viewer  while  working?

, WKLQN RI WKH YLHZHU PRVW RI WKH WLPH 7KHUH LV DQ LGHD RU FRQFHSW WKDW FRPHV IURP WKLV XQLTXH DQG SDUWLFXODU YLVLRQ RI P\VHOI %XW WKH GHYHORSPHQW DQG PDWHULDOL]DWLRQ RI WKLV LGHD LV WR WKLQN DERXW KRZ LW ZLOO EH SUHVHQWHG KRZ LW ZLOO UHDFK WKH VSHFWDWRU DQG KRZ LW LV JRLQJ WR PDWHULDOL]H DOO RI WKLV ZLWK RQO\ WKH KRSH WKDW WKH VSHFWDWRU PD\ UHDFK ZKDW LV QRW WDQJLEOH WKDW PRPHQW RI LQGLYLGXDO IXOĂ&#x20AC;OOPHQW Have  you  ever  been  somewhere  haunted?

No ¿Has  estado  en  algún  lugar  encan-­ tado  embrujado?

No

Presente  Nativo

34

Grin City Collective is a 320-­acre rural sanctu-­ ary for artists and volun-­ teers who are passion-­ ate about art, food, sustain-­ able prac-­ tices, and communi-­ ty. With the ¿QHVVH RI D PRG-­ ern, forward-­thinking

organization you might expect to see in a big city and the space, charm, and quiet only the coun-­ try can offer, Grinnell is push-­ ing the boundaries in which critical thought and art

Blue Barn used for garden supply storage and perfor-­ mance space

36

practice can exist. Grin City offers residencies in the spring and fall with an emerg-­ ing artist residen-­ cy pro-­ gram in the summer. The 2014 spring residency dead-­ line has passed, but you

can visit their website for the 2014 summer emerg-­ ing artist and fall residency applica-­ tion and deadline.

By Stephanie Preston

Newly renovated artist studio located in the brick barn.

38 Set  the  scene  for  our  readers,  what  is  it  like  to  step  into  Grin  City?

:KHQ \RX OHDYH WKH WRZQ RI *ULQQHOO ,RZD KHDGLQJ QRUWK RQ +LJKZD\ \RX FDQ DOUHDG\ VHH *ULQ &LW\ &ROOHFWLYH 7KUHH EULJKWO\ FRORUHG EXLOGLQJV VWDQG DPRQJ WKH FRUQ RQ WKH KRUL]RQ D PDVVLYH VN\ EOXH EDUQ WRZHUV RYHU WZR VPDOOHU SLJHRQ DYLDULHV SDLQWHG SLQN DQG RUDQJH )DQF\ VKRZ ELUGV bobbing across their roofs.

Artist  in  residence  during  a  studio  walk  through. Â

There are over a half GR]HQ EXLOGings on the IDUP LQFOXGLQJ WZR FHQWXry farmhouses. Mobile chicken coops DQG QDQR huts roam the property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

Since  2006  your  collective  has  grown  into  more  than  an  artist  residency,  itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  an  active  and  giving  member  of  the  community.  What  new  programs  or  goals  do  you  hope  to  accomplish  in  the  future?

,Q WKH SDVW \HDU *ULQ &LW\ KDV HYROYHG VR TXLFNO\ ZH DUH VWLOO UHHOLQJ IURP WKH VXFFHVV ,Q ZH GRXEOHG RXU FDSDFLW\ ZLWK Ã&#x20AC;YH QHZ VWXGLRV WKDQNV WR D VXFFHVVIXO .LFNVWDUWHU FDPSDLJQ ODVW ZLQWHU 1RZ WKDW ZH KDYH WKH IDFLOLWLHV ZH ZDQW WR WXUQ RXU DWWHQWLRQ WR VWUHQJWKHQLQJ RXU SURJUDPPLQJ VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;FDOO\ WKH FROODERUDWLYH ZRUN WKDW DUWLVWV GR ZKLOH LQ UHVLGHQFH LQ FRQQHFWLRQ ZLWK WKH FRPPXQLW\ :H DUH ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR ZRUNLQJ ZLWK RXU DUWLVWV LQ UHVLGHQFH EHIRUH WKHLU DUULYDO WR GHYHORS TXDOLW\ VRFLDO SUDFWLFH SURMHFWV 1H[W 6HSWHPEHU ZH ZLOO KRVW RXU VHFRQG 5XUDOO\ *RRG )HVWLYDO D ZHHNHQG FHOHEUDWLRQ RI DUW PXVLF DQG WKH ,RZD IDOO KDUYHVW :H KDG D JRRG Ã&#x20AC;UVW \HDU IRU WKH IHVWLYDO WKLV SDVW 6HSWHPEHU DQG DUH ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR H[SDQGLQJ LW LQWR D UHJLRQDO HYHQW Grin  City  rents  to  several  businesses  and  artists,  including  Middle  Way  Farms,  Coz  Lofts,  Rye  Owl,  and  Lacina,  Inc.  Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re  almost  creating  a  literal  city  of  different  businesses,  not  just  different  projects.  Can  you  tell  me  about  your  rela-­ tionship  with  those  renters?

7KH IDUP *ULQ &LW\ UHVLGHV RQ LV D SULYDWHO\ RZQHG IDPLO\ IDUP UXQ E\ /DFLQD ,QF *ULQ &LW\ UHQWV DOO WKH EXLOGLQJV RQ WKH IDUPVWHDG IRU WKH UHVLGHQF\ DQG SDUWQHUV ZLWK RWKHU ORFDO EXVLQHVVHV ZKLFK DGG WR WKH YLWDOLW\ RI RXU DUWLVWV FROOHFWLYH 0LGGOH :D\ )DUP·V RUJDQLF KDOI DFUH JDUGHQ LV D FRUQHUVWRQH RI RXU UHVLGHQF\ $UWLVWV ZRUN LQ WKH Ã&#x20AC;HOGV ZLWK IDUPHU -RUGDQ 6FKHLEHO RQFH D ZHHN LQ H[FKDQJH IRU D &6$ VKDUH $OO RI WKH LQGLYLGXDOV ZKR UHQW VSDFH RQ WKH SURSHUW\ ZRUN LQ VRPH FDSDFLW\ WRZDUG WKH YLWDOLW\ RI WKH DUWLVW UHVLGHQF\ E\ GRQDWLQJ WKHLU WLPH DQG H[SHUWLVH :H GRQ·W FDOO RXUVHOYHV D FROOHFWLYH for nothing! The success of the program is very much a collaborative effort.

Grin City Artists: Noah Breuer and Ezra Masch

42 With  such  a  rural  location,  how  do  you  stay  connected  to  the  arts  community  at  large?

*ULQ &LW\ LV UXUDO ZH DUH QRW ORFDWHG QHDU D YLEUDQW DQG EXVtling city or major arts community.

7KLV IDFW LV RQH RI LWV DGYDQWDJHV :LWK WKH ,QWHUQHW )DFHERRN *RRJOH 6N\SH HWF DUWLVWV QRZ KDYH WKH IUHHGRP WR OLYH DQG ZRUN ZKHUHYHU VXLWV WKHP *ULQ &LW\ LV PD\EH WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI D WUHQG RI FUHDWLYH SHRSOH OHDYLQJ WKH FLW\ DQG VHWWLQJ XS FRPPXQLWLHV WKDW DUH LQ WKH FRXQWU\ RU VPDOO WRZQV Creating or gaining access to spaces that are bigger, cheaper, FOHDQHU DQG VDIHU :H OLYH LQ D K\SHU FRQQHFWHG DJH :H KDYH :L )L :H ZDQW WR VWD\ FRQQHFWHG +RZHYHU IRU RXU DUWLVWV LQ UHVLGHQFH ZH GR ZDQW WR NHHS WKH VSLULW RI ´VLPSOHU WLPHVµ RU WKH WUDGLWLRQDO LGHD RI WKH IDUP OLIH SUHVHQW DW *ULQ &LW\ D SODFH WU\LQJ WR UHPDLQ VRPHZKDW LVRODWHG DQG GLVFRQQHFWHG :H ZDQW WR LQVXUH WKDW *ULQ &LW\ LV VWLOO D UHWUHDW D WLPH DQG SODFH IRU DUWLVWV WR GLVFRQQHFW DQG IRFXV RQ DUWLVWLF SUDFWLFH D SODFH ZKHUH DUWLVWV FDQ VWD\ FRQQHFWHG EXW GRQ·W KDYH WR Tell  me  about  two  projects,  one  past  and  one  present,  that  really  excite  you?

0ROO\ , EHOLHYH -RH DQG , HDFK KDYH GLIIHUHQW SURMHFWV WKDW KDYH H[FLWHG XV PRVW )RU PH WKLV SDVW \HDU LW ZDV VHHLQJ WKH FRUQ FULE ZLWK LWV GHFDGHV RI VR\EHDQ GXVW DQG FREZHEV DQG PLFH QHVWV WUDQVIRUPHG LQ D PDWWHU RI ZHHNV LQWR WKH PRVW VWXQQLQJ KLVWRULFDOO\ UHOHYDQW ZULWHUV· VWXGLRV 2XU PHWDO DQG ZRRGZRUNLQJ SDUWQHU %\URQ :RUOH\ XVHG ERDUGV IURP WKH XSSHU OHYHOV RI WKH VPDOO ZRRGHQ EDUQ WR IUDPH RXW WKUHH VWXGLRV LQ ZKDW ZHUH RQFH JUDLQ ELQV :LQGRZV ZHUH FXW LQWR WKH PHWDO VLGLQJ DQG GRRUV ZHUH GRQDWHG IURP D ORFDO IDFWRU\ :H ZHUH XQGHU D GHDGOLQH WR JHW WKH VWXGLRV Ã&#x20AC;QLVKHG EHIRUH WKH IDOO UHVLGHQF\ VHVVLRQ EHJDQ DQG DIWHU D ZHHN RI VL[WHHQ KRXU GD\V ZH Ã&#x20AC;QDOO\ Ã&#x20AC;QLVKHG WKH VWXGLRV DW PLGQLJKW WKH QLJKW

EHIRUH WKH DUWLVWV DUULYHG $ QHZ SURMHFW , DP FXUUHQWO\ H[FLWHG DERXW LV D SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK RQH RI RXU IRUPHU DUWLVWV LQ UHVLGHQFH .HQML <RVKLQR ZKR GHYHORSHG DW *ULQ &LW\ D ',< PLFURVFRSH WKDW WDNHV SLFWXUHV XVLQJ \RXU VPDUWSKRQH .HQML ZLOO OLNHO\ EH SDUWQHULQJ ZLWK *ULQ &LW\ LQ WKH FRPLQJ \HDU IRU D IHZ RWKHU RI KLV brilliant maker inventions.

-RH $FWXDOO\ WKRVH DUH P\ IDYRULWHV DV ZHOO ,W KDV EHHQ JUHDW UHQRYDWLQJ DQG EULQJLQJ QHZ IXQFWLRQDOLW\ LQWR SDUWV RI WKH IDUP WKDW ZHUH VRPHZKDW DEDQGRQHG XQWLO UHFHQWO\ VXFK DV WKH EULFN EDUQ ZKLFK ZDV XVHG IRU GDLU\ FRZV EXW KDG EHHQ D storage area for junk for over 40 years. After renovations, the EDUQ QRZ FRQWDLQV D ZRRGVKRS WZR ZKLWH ZDOO VWXGLRV DQG D GRFXPHQWDWLRQ VSDFH :RUNLQJ ZLWK .HQML WKLV FRPLQJ \HDU LV JRLQJ WR EH UHDOO\ FRRO :H DUH DOVR ORRNLQJ LQWR SXUFKDVLQJ D ' SULQWHU DQG CNC machine in preparation for upcoming projects. $QRWKHU ROG RQJRLQJ SURMHFW ,·P H[FLWHG DERXW DUH WKH QDQR huts. Nano Hut is an experimental housing project at Grin &LW\ 6R IDU ZH KDYH RQH OHDQ WR VW\OH VWUXFWXUH FRPSOHWHG FDOOHG 1DQR 2QH 1DQR 2QH LV DQ [ [ IRRW KRXVH FRQWDLQLQJ D ORIW VSDFH VDYLQJ VWDLUFDVH DQG VN\OLJKW 7KHVH QDQR KRXVHV H[SORUH KRZ FRPSDFW PRGXODU DQG PXOWL IXQFWLRQDO VSDFHV FDQ OHDG WR OHVV FRQVXPSWLRQ RI ERWK HQHUJ\ DQG EXLOGing materials.

With  only  three  staff  members,  you  must  each  bring  a  great  deal  of  varied  experiences  to  your  operations.  What  is  the  most  unusual  or  important  skill  you  have  engaged  since  coming  to  Grin  City?

0ROO\ 7KLQJV , GLG QRW WKLQN , ZRXOG OHDUQ DERXW ZKHQ , ZHQW LQWR DUWV DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ LQFOXGH KRZ WR GU\ZDOO KRZ WR JHW EORRG DQG RU ZLQH VWDLQV RXW RI D FDUSHW KRZ IDUP HQHUJ\ FRQWUDFWV ZRUN KRZ WR PDNH KDUGWDFN OLYLQJ ZKHUH \RX

44

ZRUN DQG ZRUNLQJ ZKHUH \RX OLYH DQG WKH GLIIHUHQW W\SHV DQG HIIHFWV RI VWDQGDUG SHVWLFLGHV DQG XQGHU ZKDW FRQGLWLRQV WKH\ DUH OLNHO\ WR GULIW RQWR DQ RUJDQLF JDUGHQ 7KH PRVW LPSRUWDQW VNLOOV WKDW , KDYH XVHG DW *ULQ &LW\ LQFOXGH IXQGUDLVLQJ DQG QHWZRUNLQJ , QHYHU UHDOL]HG MXVW KRZ IDU WKRVH WZR VNLOOV JHW \RX -RH 7KHVH GD\V , ZRXOG GHVFULEH P\VHOI DV D FXVWRGLDQ SOXPEHU DQG ZHE GHVLJQHU <HDK , QHYHU ZRXOG KDYH WKRXJKW WKDW , ZRXOG NQRZ KRZ WR Ã&#x20AC;[ VR PDQ\ WKLQJV RU NQRZ KRZ PDQ\ ZD\V D WKLQJ FDQ EH EURNHQ PDLQO\ SOXPELQJ 7KH PRVW LPSRUWDQW VNLOOV ,·YH HQJDJHG LQ DUH Ã&#x20AC;[LQJ D VKRZHU DQG html.

When  reviewing  artists  for  your  residency  program,  what  are  the  most  important  features  you  look  for?

4XDOLW\ RI ZRUN LV E\ IDU WKH QXPEHU RQH FULWHULRQ IRU D UHVLGHQF\ DW *ULQ &LW\ EXW ZH DOVR ORRN IRU KRZ ZHOO DQ LQGLYLGXDO ZLOO ZRUN LQ RXU XQLTXH VHWWLQJ 'R WKH\ SOD\ ZHOO ZLWK RWKHUV" 0XFK RI ZKDW *ULQ &LW\ GRHV LV FROODERUDWLYH 'R WKH\ KDYH DQ LQWHUHVW LQ OHDUQLQJ ZKHUH WKHLU IRRG FRPHV IURP" ,V WKHLU DUW SUDFWLFH RQH WKDW HQJDJHV ZLWK RWKHUV" ,I DQ DUWLVW LV ORRNLQJ IRU D UHWUHDW WR IRFXV RQ WKHLU LQGLYLGXDO VWXGLR EDVHG SUDFWLFH WKHQ WKH\ DUH OLNHO\ QRW D JRRG FDQGLGDWH for Grin City.

What  are  some  ways  people  can  support  Grin  City?

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hatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  the  most  delicious  produce  youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve  eaten  from  Middle  Way  Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  crops?

0ROO\ 1RWKLQJ EHDWV FKHUU\ WRPDWRHV VWUDLJKW RII WKH YLQH -RH 0LGGOH :D\ )DUP JURZV VRPH PHDQ JDUOLF , HDW DW OHDVW WKUHH FORYHV HYHU\GD\ A  game  of  Kubb  during  the  Rurally  Good  Festival  at  Grin  City

Tonja

Torgerson

Mend

%\ 7DUD 0DKDGHYDQ

Tell  us  a  bit  about  yourself.

, JUHZ XS LQ UXUDO 1RUWKHUQ 0LQQHVRWD EXW OHIW ZKHQ , ZDV WR JR WR DQ DUW VFKRRO LQ 0LQQHDSROLV ,W ZDV WKHUH WKDW , OHDUQHG WR VFUHHQSULQW DQG WKDW UHDOO\ LQĂ XHQFHG ERWK WKH DUW , HYHQWXDOO\ PDGH DQG KRZ , WKRXJKW DERXW P\ DUW , UHFHLYHG my BFA from the University of Minnesota DQG WKHQ PRYHG WR 1HZ <RUN WR HDUQ DQ MFA in Printmaking at Syracuse University. &XUUHQWO\ , DP WKH $UWLVW LQ 5HVLGHQFH 9LVLWLQJ $VVLVWDQW 3URIHVVRU DW :HVW 9LUJLQLD :HVOH\DQ &ROOHJH LQ %XFNKDQQRQ :9 , ORYH ELNHV JUDSKLF QRYHOV DQG REYLRXVO\ VWUHHW art.

Did  your  hometown  have  any  effect  on  your  art,  or  choice  to  pursue  street  art?  What  got  you  in  to  street  work?

, FUHGLW P\ XSEULQJLQJ IRU D ORW RI WKH FRUH WKHPHV RI P\ DUWZRUN EXW QRW IRU P\ LQWHUHVW LQ VWUHHW DUW , JUHZ XS RQ D VPDOO DQG YHU\ LVRODWHG IDUP UDLVHG E\ SDUHQWV ZKR ZHUH DWWHPSWLQJ WR OLYH RII WKH ODQG DV PXFK DV SRVVLEOH DQG WR WHDFK WKHLU FKLOGUHQ WR EH FDSDEOH RI GRLQJ WKH VDPH :H UDLVHG NLOOHG KXQWHG QHDUO\ DOO WKH DQLPDOV WKDW ZH ZRXOG FRQVXPH throughout the year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from an early age, I ZDV H[SRVHG WR GHDWK DQG LWV LPSRUWDQFH WR my survival. I believe that my upbringing KHOSHG PH WR VHH GHDWK DV DQ LPSRUWDQW SDUW RI XQGHUVWDQGLQJ OLIH 0\ LQWHUHVW LQ VWUHHW DUW FRPHV IURP OLYLQJ ZLWKLQ DQG H[SORULQJ FLWLHV 2QH RI WKH WKLQJV WKDW GUHZ PH WR SULQWPDNLQJ ZDV WKDW WKHUH ZDV WKH DELOLW\ WR GLVWULEXWH P\ ZRUN DV RSSRVHG WR KDYLQJ RQH VLQJXODU SUHFLRXV LPDJH %HLQJ EDVHG LQ 0LQQHDSROLV IRU \HDUV H[SRVHG PH WR D YLWDO VWUHHW DUW

48

FXOWXUH , WKLQN LW ZDV RQO\ D PDWWHU RI WLPH EHIRUH WKHVH WZR ORYHV FDPH WRJHWKHU ZLWKLQ P\ RZQ ZRUN Is  more  of  your  street  work  located  in  Syracuse  or  your  hometown?

, FRQVLGHU 0LQQHDSROLV P\ KRPHWRZQ DOWKRXJK , GLGQ·W PRYH WKHUH XQWLO , ZDV , KDG GRQH D IHZ VWUHHW SLHFHV ZKLOH OLYLQJ LQ 0LQQHDSROLV EXW LW ZDVQ·W XQWLO , PRYHG WR 6\UDFXVH WKDW , UHDOO\ PDGH LW D IRFXV LQ P\ ZRUN 7KLV LV SDUWLDOO\ EHFDXVH 6\UDFXVH ODFNHG D VWUHHW FXOWXUH ZKLFK PDGH PH ZDQW WR FRQWULEXWH 0RVWO\ LW ZDV EHFDXVH , PHW WKH ULJKW SHRSOH ZKR HQFRXUDJHG PH DQG HYHQ SDUWQHUHG XS ZLWK PH 1HDUO\ DOO P\ VWUHHW ZRUN is in Syracuse, though some have DOVR SRSSHG XS LQ 0LQQHDSROLV DQG 1HZ <RUN &LW\ How  does  your  work  in  printmaking  relate  to  your  street  art?

, WKLQN RI P\ ZRUN DV D EOHQG RI Ã&#x20AC;JXUDWLYH VWUHHW DUW DQG WUDGLWLRQDO SULQWPDNLQJ SUDFWLFHV 3ULQWPDNLQJ KDV KLVWRULFDOO\ EHHQ D PHDQV IRU VKDULQJ DUW DQG LPDJHV ZLWK WKH JUHDWHU SRSXODFH VR SULQWPDNLQJ KDV FRQWLQXDOO\ EHHQ XVHG DV D PHDQV IRU VWUHHW DUW , KDYH EHHQ PDNLQJ SULQWV DQG SDLQWLQJV IRU VRPH WLPH EXW ZDQWHG WR H[WHQG P\ ZRUN RXWVLGH RI WKH JDOOHU\ VHWWLQJ 8VLQJ SULQWPDNLQJ WR GR WKDW VHHPHG OLNH D natural choice.

How  do  people  react  to  your  street  art?

+RQHVWO\ , WKLQN WKDW D ORW RI WLPH LW LVQ·W QRWLFHG $QG , DP

RND\ ZLWK WKDW , DP UHDOO\ LQWHUHVWHG LQ PDNLQJ TXLHW VXEWOH VWUHHW SLHFHV , WKLQN D ORW RI WKH LPDJHU\ ZH VHH RQ WKH VWUHHW DGYHUWLVLQJ JUDIÃ&#x20AC;WL VWUHHW DUW HWF

shouts for your attention. I am not LQWHUHVWHG LQ DWWHPSWLQJ WR FRPSHWH ZLWK WKDW ,QVWHDG , WKLQN RI P\ VWUHHW ZRUNV DV PRUH RI D ZKLVSHU They are going to go largely unnoWLFHG EXW ZKHQ WKH\ DUH VHHQ , WKLQN WKH\ FUHDWH D PRPHQW RI GLVFRYHU\ ZKLFK LV UHDOO\ YLWDO WR H[SHULHQFLQJ them.

How  do  you  choose  your  locations?

:LWK P\ Ã&#x20AC;JXUHV , VHOHFW VLWHV WKDW VHUYH DV PHWDSKRUV IRU RXU ERGLHV SODFHV RQFH VHHQ DV SRZHUIXO DQG able to last into perpetuity but have quickly succumb to the ravages RI WLPH DQG GHFD\ 6LQFH WKHVH SLHFHV DUH YHU\ WHPSRUDU\ , KDYH ZRUNHG ZLWK WKH SKRWRJUDSKHU $QGUHZ )URVW WR GRFXPHQW WKHVH VFHQHV ,Q WKH SKRWRJUDSKV ZH IUDPH WKH LPDJH WR HPSKDVL]H WKLV UHODWLRQVKLS EHWZHHQ WKH Ã&#x20AC;JXUH DQG KHU VXUURXQGLQJV )RU H[DPSOH LQ 0HQG WKH Ã&#x20AC;JXUH LV SDLUHG ZLWK WKH RQFH JUDQG EXW QRZ DEDQGRQHG HQWUDQFH WR WKH 2DNZRRG &HPHWHU\ 7KH GDWH PDUNLQJ LWV FUHDWLRQ LQ WKH XSSHU OHIW FRUQHU RI WKH SKRWRJUDSK EXW WKH ZDOO WKDW FRQWDLQV WKLV GDWH LV EHLQJ VKHDUHG DZD\ ZLWK WLPH H[SRVLQJ D QXEEO\ LQVLGH VLPLODU WR WKH LQQDUGV HVFDSLQJ IURP WKH Ã&#x20AC;JXUH 7KH Ã&#x20AC;JXUH DWWHPSWV D UHSDLU EXW FOHDUO\ WKH GDPDJH KDV DOUHDG\ EHHQ GRQH LW LV RQO\ D PDWWHU RI WLPH XQWLO DOO YHVWLJHV DUH REOLWHUDWHG 7KH GHVWUXFWLRQ LV PRUH REYLRXV LQ 7RJHWKHU ZKHUH WZR JLUOV KXGGOH WRJHWKHU DV FUDQHV GHPROLVK WKH VWUXFWXUH WKDW shelters them.

Cover

Hold

Letting

Together

52 You were also involved in the Syracuse Urban %HDXWL¿FDWLRQ 3XEOLF $UW 5HVLVWDQFH 68%3$5 SURMHFW ± what kind of impression do you believe that project left on your town?

68%3$5 LV D FROODERUDWLYH SURMHFW VWDUWHG ZLWK -RHO :HLVVPDQ , DFWXDOO\ VWDUWHG ZRUNLQJ RQ 68%3$5 EHIRUH , EURXJKW VWUHHW DUW LQWR P\ RZQ SUDFWLFH , KDG ZDQWHG WR PDNH VWUHHW SURMHFWV IRU D ORQJ WLPH EXW KDGQ·W ÀJXUHG RXW KRZ WR GR VR ZLWK P\ 6LFN VHULHV 0HHWLQJ -RHO ZDV RQH RI WKRVH JUHDW PRPHQWV ZKHQ \RX PHHW WKH ULJKW SHUVRQ DW WKH ULJKW WLPH :RUNLQJ WRJHWKHU PDGH XV WKLQN DERXW VWUHHW DUW LQ D ZKROH QHZ ZD\ DQG LQÁXHQFHG RXU SHUVRQDO ZRUN DV ZHOO DV our collaborative projects. , WKLQN 68%3$5 KDV EHHQ D UHDOO\ JUHDW H[SHULHQFH :H ZHUH DZDUGHG D JUDVVURRWV PLFUR JUDQW YLD 6DOW &LW\ ',6+(6 WR IXQG RXU SURMHFWV VR ZH IHOW ULJKW DZD\ OLNH WKH SXEOLF ZDV EHKLQG XV 68%3$5 ZDV DOZD\V PHDQW WR EH D YHU\ SURDFWLYH SURMHFW RXU SLHFHV ÀOO YRLGV LQ WKH H[LVWLQJ HQYLURQPHQW 2XU SURMHFWV DOVR UHSOHQLVK YRLGV DQG UHSDLU GDPDJHG IDFDGHV %\ XQH[SHFWHGO\ WUDQVIRUPLQJ DQ DEDQGRQHG VLWH LQWR D EHDXWLIXO JHP ZH HPSKDVL]H WKH SRWHQWLDO RI WKHVH SXEOLF VSDFHV , WKLQN LW·V KDUG IRU DQ\RQH WR EH DJDLQVW VRPHWKLQJ WKDW LV DFWLYHO\ WU\LQJ WR PDNH WKH FLW\ EHWWHU 6LQFH , KDYH PRYHG DZD\ 68%3$5 KDV EHHQ RQ D ELW RI D KLDWXV ² EXW -RHO LV VWLOO LQ 6\UDFXVH DQG ZH KDYH SODQV IRU IXWXUH SURMHFWV 68%3$5 LVQ·W GRQH \HW Does text ever come into play in your work? How so?

<HV WH[W LV FHUWDLQO\ VRPHWKLQJ , KDYH XVHG LQ P\ ZRUN )RU H[DPSOH LQ P\ SULQW 6R %DG WKH SKUDVH ´,W·V QRW VR EDG µ VLWV RQ D EDQQHU MXVW XQGHU WKH SRUWUDLW ² E\ SOD\LQJ DJDLQVW WKH WLWOH WKH SLHFH UHYHDOV WKH FDUHIXO SUHVHQWDWLRQ RI D GDUNHU reality. Most notably, a collar of syringes pierces her neck, SXQFWXDWLQJ WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI WKHVH ZRUGV 7KH FROODU SDLUHG ZLWK WKH SRVWXUH RI WKH ÀJXUH DSSHDUV WR IXQFWLRQ DV ERWK

DGRUQPHQW DQG LQMXU\ D VRXUFH RI SULGH DV ZHOO DV SDLQ 7KLV FRQWUDGLFWLRQ LV SXUSRVHIXO UHSUHVHQWLQJ WKH VHSDUDWLRQ RI RQH·V SULYDWH WKRXJKWV WR WKH SXEOLF IDFH WKH\ GLVSOD\ :H FDQ VHH KLQWV DW WKH WUXH IHHOLQJV RI DQRWKHU EXW ZH FDQ QHYHU IXOO\ XQGHUVWDQG WKHLU LQQHU EHLQJ Who  are  your  favorite  street  artists?

,W·V WRR KDUG WR SLFN RQH $ IHZ WKHQ 1H6SRRQ %OX $ &RPPRQ 1DPH DQG RI FRXUVH 6ZRRQ As  your  artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s  statement  notes,  your  work  incorporates  color,  humor,  and  childish  and  girlish  aesthetics.  Why  choose  to  exhibit  humor  rather  than  overt  seriousness?

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´PLQG ERG\ GLYLGHµ %RWK DUH LPPHGLDWH ERWK XQLWH XV ZLWK WKH ERGLO\ DQG PRUWDOLW\

54

Patrick Segura, born Hey

1987 in New Iberia, Louisiana, is a cur-­ rent Graduate Candidate at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with an em-­ phasis in painting at the University

of Louisiana at Lafayette. We had a FKDQFH WR WDON VSHFL¿-­ cally about the Master of Fine Arts in Studio through the Department of Fiber and Material Studies program.

By Kylie Gava

56 Previously  you  were  in  Louisiana-­-­How  are  you  enjoy-­ LQJ &KLFDJR" 'R \RX ¿QG WKH WZR DUW FRPPXQLWLHV WR EH comparable?

,W V UHDOO\ KDUG IRU PH WR GHVFULEH P\ UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK /RXLVLDQD ,WV ODQGVFDSH DQG FDMXQ FUHROH FXOWXUH LV ULFK DQG SUHFLRXV , WUXO\ FKHULVK WKHP +RZHYHU /RXLVLDQD LV DOVR SODJXHG E\ UHOLJLRXV IDQDWLFLVP KRPRSKRELD DQG UDFLVP , ZRQ W VD\ LW LV D PDMRULW\ RSLQLRQ EXW ZLGHVSUHDG HQRXJK WR In  Translation

KDYH GLUHFWO\ DIIHFWHG P\ OLIH DV ZHOO DV P\ PHPRU\ RI ZKDW , FDOO KRPH 7KHVH WKLQJV FHUWDLQO\ H[LVW ZLWKLQ &KLFDJR EXW , Ã&#x20AC;QG WKHP WR EH OHVV SHUYDVLYH 7KH DUW FRPPXQLW\ LQ &KLFDJR is massive in comparison to the art community of Lafayette, DQG HYHQ 1HZ 2UOHDQV ,W V VRPHWKLQJ , PLVV 7KH &KLFDJR DUW FRPPXQLW\ LV RYHUZKHOPLQJ LQ ERWK D JRRG DQG EDG VHQVH It can be easy to feel lost among everything happening, but WKDW V WKH JUHDW SDUW VR PXFK LV KDSSHQLQJ $V , FRQWLQXH WR HQWDQJOH P\VHOI ZLWKLQ LWV ZHE , IHHO LQ WLPH WKDW , ZLOO JDLQ

WKH LQWLPDF\ RI FRPPXQLW\ WKDW , KDG LQ /RXLVLDQD How did you decide on SAIC's MFA in studio program?

What other programs did you look at?

6$,& ZDV D FRPELQDWLRQ RI DWWULEXWHV , ZDV ORRNLQJ IRU LQ D JUDGXDWH VFKRRO WKH\ DOVR RIIHUHG PH WKH PRVW PRQH\ PDNLQJ WKH GHFLVLRQ PXFK HDVLHU 7KH SURJUDP VWUHVVHG WKHLU ÁH[LELOLW\ ZLWK LQWHUGLVFLSOLQDU\ DSSURDFKHV WR VWXGLR SUDFWLFH DQG FRPPXQLW\ $W WKH WLPH RI DSSO\LQJ P\ ZRUN ZDV DW D PDMRU FURVVURDGV DQG LW ZDV LPSRUWDQW WKDW , EH JLYHQ WKH UDQJH , QHHGHG WR ÀQG GLUHFWLRQ , DOVR ZDV \HDUQLQJ WR OLYH LQ D ODUJH FLW\ 6$,& KDV VXFK D ODUJH FRPPXQLW\ IDFXOW\ VWXGHQWV DOXPQL YLVLWLQJ DUWLVWV DQG WKH $,& , DSSOLHG WR WHQ VFKRROV , EHOLHYH DQG , ZDV DFFHSWHG WR VHYHQ , ZDV ORRNLQJ DW <DOH &&$ &81< 9LUJLQLD &RPPRQZHDOWK WR QDPH D IHZ 6$,& FRXOG RIIHU PH WKH PRVW RI ZKDW , ZDV looking for. +RZ ZHOO GRHV 6$,& ¿QDQFLDOO\ VXSSRUW \RX during the length of your coursework?

6$,& LV QRW FKHDS ,W V DFWXDOO\ TXLWH ULGLFXORXV , DP IRUWXQDWH HQRXJK WR KDYH UHFHLYHG D VFKRODUVKLS DQG D JUDQW IURP WKH VFKRRO DV ZHOO DV IDPLO\ VXSSRUW LQ RUGHU WR FRYHU WKH FRVWV , GLG WDNH RXW ORDQV DV ZHOO , IHHO DV LI , KDG WR SXOO PRQH\ IURP HYHU\ZKHUH WR PDNH WKLV KDSSHQ DQG LW VKRXOG QRW EH WKLV ZD\ ,W V VDG WKDW LI \RX GRQ W FRPH IURP DQ VHPL DIÁXHQW IDPLO\ 6$,& ZLOO H[LVW RQO\ DV D IDQWDV\ XQOHVV \RX ZDQW WR EH LQ GHEW IRU WKH UHVW RI \RXU OLIH +RZHYHU 6$,& LV UHDOO\ JUHDW DERXW UHDFKLQJ RXW WR VWXGHQWV WR SODQ IRU WKHLU ÀQDQFLDO DQG FDUHHU IXWXUH 0DQ\ SURJUDPV DUH LQ SODFH WR KHOS VWXGHQWV ÀJXUH RXW WKH EHVW FRXUVHV RI DFWLRQ WR UHSD\ ORDQV XSRQ JUDGXDWLRQ

58 Do  you  feel  you  receive  enough  support  from  faculty?

7KH IDFXOW\ DW 6$,& LV LQFUHGLEOH EXW , P VXUH OLNH HYHU\ SODFH LW UHDOO\ LV D VSHFWUXP 7KHUH DUH IDFXOW\ ZKR DUH VLQFHUH LQ HYHU\ DVSHFW RI WKHLU VXSSRUW IRU P\ ZHOO EHLQJ 7KHQ WKHUH DUH WKH RWKHUV ZKRVH FDUHHUV VHHPV WR EH PRUH LPSRUWDQW WKDQ WKHLU UHVSRQVLELOLW\ DV D WHDFKHU DQG PHQWRU What  is  something  that  stands  out  to  you  about  SAIC's  graduate  program?

7KH JUDGXDWH SURJUDP LV ODUJH 7KH VL]H IHHGV LQWR WKH H[SHULHQFH RI WKH LQWHUGLVFLSOLQDU\ DSSURDFK WR DUW PDNLQJ 7KURXJK WKH JUDGXDWH FRPPXQLW\ VWXGHQWV DUH DEOH WR SXOO IURP PDQ\ GLYHUVH SHRSOH DFURVV PDQ\ GLVFLSOLQHV Anything  lacking?

, ZRXOG DFWXDOO\ SUHIHU WKH VFKRRO WR EH VPDOOHU GHVSLWH WKH EHQHÃ&#x20AC;WV RI D ODUJH VL]H 6$,& MXVW HQDFWHG D ORZ UHVLGHQF\ MFA program over three summers. There LV WKH IHHOLQJ HVSHFLDOO\ ZLWK WKLV QHZ 0)$ SURJUDP WKDW WKH VFKRRO LV GHWHUPLQHG WR FKXUQ RXW XV RXW DW DQ LQFUHDVLQJ rate. SAIC, like all others, is a business.

Intimacy is lacking.

How  many  other  graduates  are  there  in  the  Fiber  and  Material  Studies  Department?

7KHUH DUH QLQH VHFRQG \HDU JUDGXDWH VWXGHQWV LQFOXGLQJ P\VHOI DQG WHQ Ã&#x20AC;UVW \HDU VWXGHQWV , EHOLHYH What  are  the  teaching  requirements?  How  has  your  teach-­ ing  experience  been?

7KH VFKRRO HQFRXUDJHV DOO JUDGXDWHV WR JDLQ WHDFKLQJ H[SHULHQFH ZKLOH DW 6$,& , GR QRW NQRZ DQ\ JUDG VWXGHQW ZKR KDV QRW EHHQ D WHDFKLQJ DVVLVWDQW RU WDXJKW D FODVV (DFK GHSDUWPHQW FRRUGLQDWHV DSSOLFDWLRQV IRU DOO FODVVHV LQ WKHLU GLVFLSOLQH 0RVW VWXGHQWV WHDFK ZLWKLQ WKHLU GHSDUWPHQW EXW \RX FDQ DSSO\ WR WHDFK LQ DQ\ GHSDUWPHQW LI \RX ZLVK 0\ H[SHULHQFH WHDFKLQJ KDV EHHQ XQH[SHFWHGO\ UHZDUGLQJ DQG ZHLUG , OHDUQHG D ORW DERXW P\VHOI WKURXJK WHDFKLQJ ,W LV GHÃ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ D XVHIXO H[SHULHQFH WR KDYH DV ZHOO DV D UHVXPH EXLOGHU , ZRXOG WHDFK DIWHU JUDGXDWLRQ LI , FRXOG Ã&#x20AC;QG D VXLWDEOH SRVLWLRQ See

I  know  SAIC  encourages  students  to  move  among  depart-­ ments,  have  you  been  taking  advantage  of  this  with  per-­ formance  and  video?  You  also  received  your  BFA  with  a  FRQFHQWUDWLRQ LQ SDLQWLQJ GR \RX ¿QG \RXUVHOI FRQWLQXLQJ WR work  with  that  medium  in  some  way?

7KH WUDMHFWRU\ RI P\ ZRUN FDQ EH FRQIXVLQJ DQG LQWULJXLQJ

60

3DLQWLQJ ZDV P\ PDMRU DV DQ XQGHUJUDG , WKHQ PRYHG RQ WR VFXOSWXUH DQG Ã&#x20AC;EHU ZRUN XSRQ DSSO\LQJ WR 6$,& WKHQ LPPHGLDWHO\ DIWHU EHJLQQLQJ DW 6$,& , WDXJKW P\VHOI WR ' PRGHO DQG SURJUDP , EHJDQ WR LQFOXGH SHUIRUPDQFH DV ZHOO DQG QRZ DV D )LEHU DQG 0DWHULDO 6WXGLHV JUDGXDWH VWXGHQW , QR ORQJHU ZRUN ZLWK Ã&#x20AC;EHUV RU PDWHULDOV , KDYH QR GHVLUH WR UHWXUQ WR SDLQWLQJ , DFWXDOO\ KDYH D GLVWDVWH IRU WKH GLVFLSOLQH The reasons are really long.

What  are  some  of  the  greatest  resources  that  are  available  to  you  at  SAIC?

6$,& KDV VR PXFK 7KHUH DUH WRROV DQG IDFLOLWLHV WR UHDOL]H DOPRVW DQ\ SURMHFW RQH FRXOG ZLVK WR WDFNOH IDFXOW\ OLEUDULHV IDEULFDWLRQ VKRSV $,& YLVLWLQJ DUWLVWV OHFWXUHV HWF (YHU\ GD\ LW LV D FKRLFH RI ZKLFK OHFWXUH HYHQW RU ZRUNVKRS WR DWWHQG In  your  statement  you  talked  about  the  rules  of  play  and  how  they  are  constrained  by  medium.  What  are  the  rules  in  your  work?

Gestation  2

7KH UXOHV LQ P\ ZRUN DUH WKH ERXQGDULHV RI PHGLXP ZKLFK , WU\ WR H[SDQG , FRQVLGHU P\ PHGLXP WR EH LPPHUVLRQ LPPHUsion through internalization of IDEULFDWHG VSDFH :KDW JXLGHV P\ ZRUN DUH WKH ERXQGDULHV RI LPPHUVLRQ ZKLFK DUH GLUHFWO\ UHODWHG WR WKH FDSDFLWLHV RI WHFKQRORJ\ , DP IDVFLQDWHG E\ FRQWHPSRUDU\ WHFKQRORJLHV DQG SXVKLQJ WKHP EH\RQG WKHLU FRPPRGLÃ&#x20AC;HG XVH LQWR PRUH FUHDWLYH territories.

You  also  talk  about  the  power  of  becoming  an  other  self.  Is  this  often  the  goal  in  your  performative  work?

The transformative persona in virtual space is a part of my LQWHUHVW EXW QRW WKH FHQWHU , DP PRUH IRFXVHG RQ VHHSDJH EHWZHHQ YLUWXDOLW\ DQG UHDOLW\ GLUHFWO\ WKURXJK WKH ERG\ 7KLV LQterest stems from my continuing participation in the competitive gaming community. I continue to travel to tournaments DQG UHFRUG SOD\HUV ERGLHV DV WKH\ DUH LPPHUVHG LQ DQRWKHU LQWHQVHO\ IRFXVHG ZRUOG :KDW , VHH LV EHDXWLIXO DQG DVWRXQGLQJ DQG HVSHFLDOO\ SDUWLFXODU (YHU\ SOD\ LV PDQLIHVWO\ VSLOOLQJ YLUWXDOLW\ WKURXJK WKHLU ERG\ HDFK LQ D XQLTXH PDQQHU 7KHUH LV FRQVWDQW WUDQVODWLRQ KDSSHQLQJ EHWZHHQ ZRUOGV DQG WKLV LV FORVH WR WKH KHDUW RI P\ ZRUN 7KH à X[ WKH WUDQVODWLRQ DQG WKH GXDOLW\ Were  you  also  interested  in  virtuality  while  you  were  studying  painting  at  the  University  of  Louisiana?

9LUWXDOLW\ H[LVWHG DV VRPHthing entirely separate from P\ DUW IRFXV , ZDV DOZD\V TXLWH JHHN\ ZKHQ LW FDPH WR YLGHR JDPHV DQG WHFKQRORJ\ $W WKH WLPH , ZDV JDPLQJ FRPSHWLWLYHO\ DQG , WKLQN LW ZDV RQO\ D PDWWHU RI WLPH EHIRUH WKH WZR ZRUOGV FROOLGHG &RXOG \RX WDON VSHFLÂżFDOO\ DERXW \RXU YLGHR 6FXOSW"

7KLV ZRUN DV ZHOO DQG RWKHUV H[SORUHV P\ FRQWLQXLQJ GHVLUH WR EH SUHJQDQW , GR QRW ZLVK WR EH D ZRPDQ QRW WR JLYH ELUWK QRU KDYH FKLOGUHQ EXW , DP MHDORXV RI ZRPHQ IRU WKH FDSDELOLW\ WR FDUU\ OLIH ZLWKLQ WKHPVHOYHV , KDYH EHHQ UHVHDUFKLQJ LQIDQW SV\FKRORJ\ DQG HDUO\ OLIH SHUFHSWLRQ LQ UHVSRQVH WR P\ RZQ H[SHULHQFHV LQ JUDVSLQJ WKH SHUFHSWLRQ RI YLUWXDOLW\ 7KH VLPLODULWLHV EHWZHHQ WKH WZR DUH IDVFLQDWLQJ , FRQVWUXFW WKHVH

Gestation

62

YLUWXDO PLQL FRQVFLRXVQHVVHV HPEHGGHG ZLWKLQ WHFKQRORJ\ WKH KHDGVHW E\ WKH ZD\ LV D VXFK D EHDXWLIXO VFXOSWXUDO REMHFW , DP LQ ORYH ZLWK LW DQG , DWWHPSW WR PHUJH WKHP LQWR P\ ERG\ DQG YLFH YHUVD ,Q 6FXOSW WKH KHDGVHW WUDFNV WKH PRWLRQ WKDW , LQÁLFW XSRQ WKH GHYLFH DV , SXOO WKH EUHDG IURP P\ IDFH DQG VFXOSW LW DURXQG WKH KHDGVHW ,W LV QRW LQ WKH YLGHR EXW , SUHVVHG DERXW ORDYHV RI EUHDG DJDLQVW P\ KHDG WR IRUP WKH FOD\ OLNH VXEVWDQFH , FRQVLGHU WKLV ZRUN WR EH PRUH RI D VNHWFK RU SUHFXUVRU WR VRPHWKLQJ ODUJHU , KDYH LQ PLQG

64

Vincent

Object(s) of Failure | Object(s) of Veneration

Como

Would  you  mind  introducing  yourself?

0\ QDPH LV 9LQFHQW &RPR , DP DQ DUWLVW ZKRVH SULPDU\ IRFXV LV %ODFN LQ ERWK VXEMHFW DQG H[HFXWLRQ In  your  interview  with  Gorky's  Granddaughter,  you  said  something  about  how  artists  always  seem  to  be  able  to  understand  what  you  are  doing  because  they  can  relate  to  an  obsession.  :K\ GR \RX WKLQN LW LV VR GLI¿FXOW IRU PRVW RWKHU viewers  to  grasp  your  work? Â

<HDK \RX NQRZ IRU VRPH UHDVRQ RWKHU DUWLVWV UHDOO\ VHHP WR UHVSRQG WR P\ SUDFWLFH PD\EH EHFDXVH LW LV VR K\SHU IRFXVHG DQG \HW LQFUHGLEO\ H[SDQVLYH ZLWKLQ WKDW IRFXV , WKLQN WKDW HYHU\ VHULRXV DUWLVW KDV D GULYH RU FRPSXOVLRQ WR PDNH WKH SDUWLFXODU ZRUN WKH\ PDNH DQG WKH\ FDQ UHFRJQL]H DQG UHVSRQG WR WKDW GULYH DV LW PLJKW PDQLIHVW LWVHOI LQ DQRWKHU DUWLVW·V ZRUN HYHQ LI LW LV D YHU\ GLIIHUHQW DHVWKHWLF VXEMHFW RU DSSURDFK )RU LQVWDQFH , Ã&#x20AC;QG WKDW ZKHQ , GR D VWXGLR YLVLW ZLWK DQRWKHU DUWLVW ZKLOH ZH PD\ EH GLVFXVVLQJ D VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;F SURMHFW RI WKHLUV LW LV MXVW DV HQOLJKWHQLQJ IRU PH WR EH RXWVLGH RI P\ RZQ VWXGLR DQG KHDGVSDFH WR VHH KRZ WKH\ DUH QDYLJDWLQJ WKHLU SUDFWLFH DQG UHVROYLQJ FHUWDLQ TXHVWLRQV WKH\·YH VHW XS IRU WKHPVHOYHV $QG WKHQ KRZ WKDW ZRUN PLJKW UHODWH WR VRPHWKLQJ ,·YH EHHQ KDYLQJ DQ LVVXH ZLWK LQ P\ RZQ VWXGLR $UW PDNLQJ LV D VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;F ODQJXDJH DQG HYHU\WKLQJ ZH DUH GHDOLQJ ZLWK LV SDUDOOHO LQ WKDW ZD\ VR WKDW PD\ DFFRXQW LQ SDUW IRU WKH GLIIHUHQW UHVSRQVHV EHWZHHQ DUWLVWV DQG QRQ DUWLVWV , GRQ·W WKLQN P\ ZRUN LV VRPHWKLQJ WKDW LV QHFHVVDULO\ LQDFFHVVLEOH WR D JUHDWHU DXGLHQFH RI QRQ DUWLVWV SHU VH EXW , WKLQN WKH LVVXH DW KDQG EHFRPHV D ODUJHU RQH RI HGXFDWLRQ DQG

Composition to Threaten Your Existence (02)

68

4.5  Cubic  Inches  (Volume  of  Inside  of  My  Head)

FXOWXUDO YDOXH RXU VRFLHW\ DW WKLV WLPH DQG SODFH SDUWLFXODU YLHZV WKH DUWV SUHGRPLQDQWO\ DV HLWKHU IULYRORXV RU MXVW D OX[XU\ JRRG RU VWDWXV V\PERO UHVHUYHG IRU DQ HOLWH IHZ ZLWKRXW DQ\ UHDO FRQVLGHUDWLRQ RI LW as a form of communicaWLRQ WKDW DIIHFWV KRZ ZH DOO PRYH WKURXJK WKH ZRUOG IURP IDVKLRQ WR GHVLJQ DQG HYHU\WKLQJ LQ EHWZHHQ at its most basic level. %H\RQG WKRVH PXFK EURDGer issues, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very cogni]DQW RI WKH VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F ZRUN I make being something RI D QLFKH PDUNHW ZLWKLQ a niche market, a subset ZLWKLQ D VXEFXOWXUH QRW just monochromes, but only Black monochromes DQG VR IRUWK VR WR D FHUWDLQ GHJUHH , GR QRW H[SHFW to get the same popular reception as something like a huge Monet survey ZRXOG JDUQHU You  have  an  extreme  knowledge  of  all  things  possibly  re-­ ODWHG WR WKH FRORU EODFN :KDW ZHUH WKH ÂżUVW WKLQJV \RX UH-­ searched  in  relation  to  black?  What  ideas  are  you  currently  interested  in?

7KH JHQHVLV RI P\ ZRUN ZDV QRW LQLWLDOO\ D EODFN VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F UHVHDUFK EXW UDWKHU LW JUHZ RXW RI D VLPSOH GHVLUH WR VWULS DZD\ ZKDW , IHOW ZHUH VXSHUĂ XRXV RU VHFRQGDU\ FRQFHUQV OLNH FRORU RU LPDJH DQG DUULYH DW D SODFH ZKHUH WKH DUW REMHFW LV OHVV EXUGHQHG E\ WKH VXEMHFWLYLW\ RI WKRVH HOHPHQWV 1RZ

RI FRXUVH , XQGHUVWDQG WKDW WR EH D YLUWXDOO\ LPSRVVLEOH WDVN PRVWO\ GXH WR WKH IDFW WKDW WKH YLHZHU ZLOO DOZD\V EULQJ WKHLU RZQ EDJJDJH WR WKH ZRUN EXW LW KDV KHOSHG WR VHYHUHO\ UHstrict those possibilities.

(DUO\ RQ , UHDOO\ UHVSRQGHG WR 5LFKDUG 6HUUD·V HWFKLQJV DQG EODFN GUDZLQJV EHFDXVH WKH\ GHDOW ZLWK WKRVH LVVXHV VR ZHOO DQG VKLIWHG WKH YLHZHU·V SHUFHSWLRQ WR EHFRPH PRUH OLNH REMHFWV DFWLYDWLQJ WKH VSDFH , ZDV DOVR YHU\ LQWHUHVWHG LQ 6RO /HZLWW·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·YH JURZQ DQG H[SORUHG PRUH , KDYH DOVR EHFRPH PRUH DQG PRUH IDVFLQDWHG E\ PRGHUQLW\ KXPDQ FRQVFLRXVQHVV EHOLHI QHJDWLRQ DQG IDLOXUH 7KHVH DUH MXVW D VDPSOH RI ZKDW ,·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ersonally,  I  have  always  thought  of  black  as  soft  and  vel-­ vety.  Growing  up  the  black  crayon  was  always  my  favorite Â

70

Paradise Lost 004

Paradise Lost 006

72 because  of  this.  Paradise  Lost  especially  reminds  me  of  this  softness-­-­probably  because  of  the  wax.  The  build-­up  of  the  wax  is  truly  beautiful.

7KDQN \RX , PLJKW FKDUDFWHUL]H WKDW VHULHV RI ZRUNV DV VRIW DV ZHOO 7KH FDQGOHV VHW XQGHUQHDWK WKH SDLQWLQJV DUH PHDQW WR EH EXUQLQJ FRQWLQXDOO\ VR WKH ZRUN ZLOO DOZD\V H[LVW LQ D VWDWH RI FRQVWDQW à X[ IURP WKH ZD[ DFFUHWLRQ WR WKH VORZ GHFD\ RI WKH VXUIDFHV RI WKH SDLQWLQJV WKHPVHOYHV 7KH\ DEVRUE DQG UHà HFW DW WKH VDPH WLPH DQG VR LQ WKDW SHUSHWXDO VWDWH RI FKDQJH DUH ERWK DOZD\V DQG QHYHU XQIRFXVHG VRIW DQG PDOOHDEOH WR WKH ZLOO RI WKHLU RZQ FUHDWLRQ GHVWUXFWLRQ Have  you  heard  of  the  studies  conducted  on  Homer's  work  about  color?  In  1858  William  Gladstone,  a  British  prime  minister,  counted  each  instance  of  the  use  of  color  in  the  Odyssey  and  the  Iliad.  Basically,  he  found  that  black  was  used  the  most  at  around  170  times  in  each  novel,  then  white  around  100,  red  around  13,  yellow  around  10,  green  around  10,  and  blue  zero  times.  The  study  goes  on  to  ex-­ plain  why  the  color  blue  was  almost  nonexistent  in  liter-­ ature  until  the  Egyptians.  While  this  study  brings  up  a  lot  of  interesting  questions  about  color  in  general,  I  am  more  interested  in  the  prevalence  and  understanding  of  black.  Black  and  white  are  usually  WKH ¿UVW FRORUV D person  learns.  Do  you  think  this  is  because  black  is  the  beginning  and  end?  Is  it  also  the  in-­between?  How  does  black  relate  to  white?

The  Temptation  to  Exist  005

,·P QRW UHDOO\ IDPLOLDU ZLWK WKLV H[SORUDWLRQ EXW , ZRQGHU LI LW ZDV LQVSLUHG E\ *RHWKH·V ´7KHRU\ RI &RORUVµ =XU )DUEHQOHKUH ZKLFK ZDV SXEOLVKHG LQ WKH HDUO\ ·V DQG LI ,·P QRW PLVWDNHQ ZDV TXLWH SRSXODU 6R JLYHQ WKH SDFH RI WKH ZRUOG LW PD\ ZHOO KDYH EHHQ WUDQVODWHG LQWR (QJOLVK VRPHZKHUH DURXQG WKHQ«" -XVW D JXHVV , KDYH D WKRXJKW RQ WKLV EODFN DQG ZKLWH DUH WKH Ã&#x20AC;UVW FRORUV ZH OHDUQ QRW EHFDXVH WKH\ DUH FRORUV EXW EHFDXVH WKH\ DUH WKH SUHVHQFH DQG DEVHQFH RI OLJKW , ZRXOG WKLQN WKDW WKH UHVW RI WKH VSHFWUXP WKHQ FRPHV LQWR EHLQJ DV DQ LQGLYLGXDO·V H\HV EHFRPH H[SRVHG DQG DGMXVWHG WR WKH OLJKW VRXUFH IURP ZKLFK DOO WKHVH RWKHU FRORUV LQ RXU ZRUOG DUH JHQHUDWHG OLNH PXVFOH PHPRU\ ,·P GHÃ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ RI WKH PLQGVHW WKDW EODFN LV WKH SUHH[LVWLQJ FRQGLWLRQ SULRU WR WKH IRUPDWLRQ RI DQ\ VWDUV DQG WKHUHIRUH OLJKW ZKLFK DOVR VWDQGV WR UHDVRQ WKDW EODFN ZLOO UHPDLQ DIWHU DOO WKH VWDUV KDYH H[WLQJXLVKHG WKHLU IXHO DQG FROODSVHG LQWR WKHPVHOYHV %ODFN DQG :KLWH RU /LJKW DQG 'DUN DUH FRQQHFWHG LQ WKH ZD\ 6RPHWKLQJ DQG 1RWKLQJ DUH FRQQHFWHG :K\ LV WKHUH /LJKW UDWKHU WKDQ 'DUNQHVV" %HFDXVH there is Darkness.

How  does  white  play  into  your  work?  Is  it  used  to  recognize  the  dark,  or  is  it  just  something  that  cannot  really  be  avoid-­ ed  in  a  gallery  space? Â

, DFWXDOO\ KDYH D FHUWDLQ FULWHULD WKDW , DGKHUH WR ZLWKLQ WKH ZRUN ZKLFK LQYROYHV ´WKH %ODFNµ ´WKH :KLWHµ DQG ´WKH 1HXWUDOµ %ODFN LV WKH REMHFW WKH PDWHULDO RU WKH Ã&#x20AC;JXUH WR WKH JURXQG :KLWH FDQ EH HLWKHU WKH LPPHGLDWH JURXQG WKH DJHQW RI SUHVHQWDWLRQ L H WKH ZDOO D SHGHVWDO D IUDPLQJ GHYLFH

RU ERWK 1HXWUDO LV WKH QDWXUDO VWDWH RI D JURXQG OLNH WKH ZDUP FUHDP\ ZKLWH RI XQSULPHG FDQYDV RU WKH JUHHQLVK JUH\ RI OLQHQ DQ XQSULPHG SDQHO 1HXWUDO FDQ DOVR EH D IUDPLQJ GHYLFH RU DQ DJHQW RI SUHVHQWDWLRQ OLNH D QDWXUDO ZRRG IUDPH RU D EULFN ZDOO VR LW LV DFFHSWHG DV D QDWXUDO RFFXUUHQFH LQ WKH ZRUOG EXW ZRXOG QHYHU EH VRPHWKLQJ WKDW LV VRXJKW RXW RU DQ

74

LQWHQWLRQDOO\ WLQWHG HOHPHQW WKDW RWKHUZLVH HQWHUV WKH SDOHWWH , ZDQW WR WDON VSHFL¿FDOO\ DERXW 'DUN %HQHGLFWLRQ ,W LV VHW-­ up  for  a  ritual  of  dark  divine  help.  However,  the  stones  you  use  (black  tourmaline)  are  often  used  to  protect  against  dark  spirits.  I  also  see  the  painting  on  the  wall  as  the  black  hole  to  singularity.  You  often  use  the  black  single  square  or  UHFWDQJOH OLNH D FUXFL¿[ KXQJ DERYH WKH HQWUDQFH RI KRPHV and,  of  course,  in  reference  to  Malevich's  Black  Square.  Is  a  darkness  being  lured  in  or  maybe  worshiped? Â

<RX DUH FRUUHFW LQ WKDW WKH EODFN WRXUPDOLQH UHSHOV QHJDWLYH HQHUJLHV VR LQ WKLV VFHQDULR WKH YLHZHU KDV D GHGLFDWHG VSDFH ZLWKLQ ZKLFK WKH\ FDQ VDIHO\ YLHZ WKH ZRUN 7KLV PD\ PHDQ there is something inherently suspect in the painting itself, RU SHUKDSV LW FUHDWHV D PHGLWDWLYH VSDFH WR HQMR\ WKH SDLQWLQJ ZLWKRXW WKH SHUSHWXDO GLQ RI WKH RXWVLGH ZRUOG 2U LI WKH SDLQWLQJ LV RYHUZKHOPLQJ LQ LWV XQUHSHQWDQW GDUNQHVV OLNH WKH QRWLRQ RI WKH LQÃ&#x20AC;QLWH XQLYHUVH RU WKH SULPD PDWHULD RU the absolute of nothingness, the tourmaline can then help to SURYLGH D EXIIHU RU KDYHQ *LYHQ WKHVH RSWLRQV WKH ZRUN WKHQ EHFRPHV LQWHQWLRQDOO\ RYHUORDGHG ZLWK SRVVLELOLW\ WKURXJK the act of placing the objects in close proximity to one anothHU DQG WKDW WKHQ FKDOOHQJHV WKH YLHZHU WR EHFRPH DQ DFWLYH SDUWLFLSDQW WR WKH ULWXDO TXHVWLRQLQJ ERWK WKH ZRUN DQG WKHLU SODFH ZLWKLQ WKH VLWXDWLRQ H[SORULQJ ZKHWKHU WKH\ ZDQW WR EH DFWLYH RU SDVVLYH YLHZHUV ,Q DQG RI LWVHOI GDUNQHVV GRHV QRW QHFHVVDULO\ QHHG WR EH FRXUWHG RU YHQHUDWHG LW LV DQG LW DOZD\V ZLOO EH ZLWK RU ZLWKRXW KXPDQ DFNQRZOHGJHPHQW 'DUN %HQHGLFWLRQ RSHUDWHV LQ D QXDQFHG UHDOP RI EHOLHI WKDW , Ã&#x20AC;QG LQFUHGLEO\ LQWHUHVWLQJ :KLOH WKHUH DUH VSHFLÃ&#x20AC;FV WKDW , KDYH LQFRUSRUDWHG LQWR WKH VLWXDWLRQ , Ã&#x20AC;QG LW SUHIHUDEOH WR DOORZ WKH ZRUN WR DFW RQ WKH YLHZHU·V RZQ SV\FKRORJ\ WKXV IRUFLQJ WKHP WR HQJDJH DQG GLVVHFW WKHVH LGHDV DV WKH\ UHODWH PRUH GLUHFWO\ WR WKH LQGLYLGXDO WKHLU NQRZOHGJH WKHLU H[SHULHQFHV ,W JHWV LQVLGH WKHLU

KHDG DQG WKDW LV ZKHUH WKH UHDO SRZHU UHVRQDWHV Have  you  ever  been  somewhere  haunted?

,·YH FHUWDLQO\ EHHQ LQ SK\VLFDO VSDFHV WKDW , KDYH IRXQG WR EH ´XQVHWWOLQJµ LI \RX ZLOO DV ZHOO DV VSDFHV LQ ZKLFK , KDYH IHOW YHU\ FDOP RU IRFXVHG ZKHQ , PD\ QRW KDYH SULRU WR HQWHULQJ WKH VSDFH , KHDUG DQ DQHFGRWH DERXW &DUO -XQJ VHYHUDO \HDUV DJR ZKLFK VSRNH RI KLP HQWHULQJ KLV VWXG\ after a particularly busy SHULRG RI OHFWXULQJ RU WUDYHOLQJ WR Ã&#x20AC;QG HYHU\WKLQJ LQ D VWDWH RI GLVDUUD\ ,I , am recalling it correctly, KH IHOW LW KDG GHYHORSHG DQ XQHDV\ DQG FKDRWLF HQHUJ\ LQ KLV DEVHQFH DQG KH FRXOG QRW IRFXV EHFDXVH of it. His eventual solution ZDV WR DSRORJL]H WR WKH space, asking for its forgiveness for having abanGRQHG LW DQG KH WKHQ ZDV Ã&#x20AC;QDOO\ DEOH WR JHW EDFN LQ WXQH ZLWK WKH VSDFH DQG FDUU\ RQ ZLWK KLV ZRUN , actually think about that every single time I leave WKH VWXGLR IRU DQ RXW RI WRZQ VKRZ RU LI ,·P ZRUNLQJ RQ D SDUWLFXODUO\ LQYROYHG SURMHFW WKDW KDV PH UXQQLQJ LQ DQG RXW RI WKH VWXGLR D ORW EXW QRW UHDOO\ JHWWLQJ DQ\ IRFXVHG WLPH LQ WKHUH , DSRORJL]H WR WKH VWXGLR DQG SURPLVH WR EH EDFN WR EHJLQ WKH SURFHVV RI VWUDLJKWHQLQJ LW RXW ZKHQ , OHDYH :KHQ , UHWXUQ , ZDON WKURXJK WKH GRRU DQG JUHHW LW E\ OHWWLQJ LW NQRZ ,·P KDSS\ WR EH EDFN LQ WKLV SODFH DQG , WKDQN LW IRU

Dark  Benediction

76

EHLQJ VR XQGHUVWDQGLQJ ,Q WKH HQG LW LV D YHU\ V\PSDWKHWLF VSDFH , GR ZDQW WR SRLQW RXW WKDW HYHQ WKRXJK WKHUH LV D IDLU DPRXQW RI LQIRUPDWLRQ DYDLODEOH ZLWK UHJDUG WR -XQJ·V P\VWLFLVP DQG SDUDQRUPDO H[SHULHQFHV OLNH WKH FUDFNHG WDEOH DQG WKH EURNHQ NQLIH RU KLV YLVLRQV , KDYH QRW FRPH DFURVV WKLV RQH LQ DQ\ RWKHU IRUP QRU KDYH , GRQH PXFK UHDG DQ\ UHDO research into it. So, it is very possible that I am remembering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Ã&#x20AC;HG DV H[WHULRU WR P\ EHLQJ EHFRPHV LUUHOHYDQW Like an itch in a phantom limb. I am the only barometer for WKH HYHQW LQ ZKLFK , DP WKH RQO\ SDUWLFLSDQW DQG DV OLPLWHG DQG XQLQIRUPHG DV , DQG P\ VHQVHV PD\ EH , QHHG WR DGMXVW P\ DSSURDFK DQG DFWLRQV WRZDUG WKDW XQGHUVWDQGLQJ Last  November  I  interviewed  artist  Steven  Vainberg  and  he  said  something  that  reminds  me  of  your  work,  "I  will  sit  and  MXVW WU\ WR DFWXDOO\ DWWHPSW WR IDWKRP DQG XQGHUVWDQG LQ¿QLWH VSDFH RU FRPSOHWH QRWKLQJQHVV ZKLFK , ¿QG WR EH WKH VDPH exact  thing,  and  I  always  fail,  and  that  failure-­-­the  process  of  arriving  to  failure-­-­is  exhilarating.  i  like  impossible  things.  I  think  everybody  does-­-­things  like  time  travel  or  world  peace."  Can  you  connect  with  this  feeling?

Absolutely.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fantastic book that came out a couple of years ago FDOOHG 5HDOLW\ LQ WKH 1DPH RI *RG E\ 1RDK +RUZLW] ZKLFK pulls from Set Theory, Kabbalah, Lacanian psychoanalytic WKHRU\ DQG RWKHU LGHDV WR SURSRVH D WKHRU\ RI DOO H[LVWHQFH DV

WKH YHU\ QDPH RI JRG ZLWK WKH XQLYHUVH DV D PDVVLYH FRPSXWHU LQÃ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ SURFHVVLQJ WKH GLYLQH QDPH DQG DOO RI UHDOLW\ WKHQ EHLQJ FRPSULVHG RI WKH ELW 7KHUH DUH D QXPEHU RI ZRQGHUIXO

Trismegistus

SODFHV ZKHUH KH H[SRXQGV RQ WKH LGHDV RI FUHDWLQJ QRWKLQJ LWVHOI LQ RUGHU WR WKHQ FUHDWH VRPHWKLQJ IURP QRWKLQJ DQG WKH LGHD WKDW LQÃ&#x20AC;QLW\ LWVHOI LV WUXO\ XQNQRZDEOH DQG LPSRVVLEOH WR FRPSUHKHQG H[FHSWLQJ IRU WKH XQGHUVWDQGLQJ WKDW WKHUH H[LVWV DQ LQÃ&#x20AC;QLWH VHW ZLWKLQ ZKLFK HYHU\WKLQJ H[LVWV LQFOXGLQJ WKH VHW RI WKH LQÃ&#x20AC;QLWH LWVHOI ,W LV VKHHU PDGQHVV DQG XQZDYHULQJ EULOOLDQFH DQG HDVLO\ RQH RI WKH EHVW WKLQJV , KDYH HYHU UHDG 6R \HDK , JHW P\ KHDG VWXFN LQ D ORRS RI QRWKLQJ DV VRPHthing, yet also still nothing all the time.

Gaahl  from  the  black  metal  band  Gorgoroth  said  in  an  in-­ terview  with  Vice,  "The  superman  and  the  ideal  will  always Â

78 conquer  or  always  rise  above.  No  matter  what  you  cannot  put  down  your  sword  because  then  you  lose."  Do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  How  does  it  relate  to  your  art  practice?

:HOO , FRXOG EH ZURQJ EXW ,¡P DVVXPLQJ WKLV PD\ EH IURP WKH YLGHR VHULHV WKH\ GLG RQ 1RUZHJLDQ %ODFN 0HWDO VHYHUDO \HDUV DJR RU PD\EH" 6R SDUW RI PH ZRQGHUV LI *DDKO ZRXOG VWLOO FODLP DQ DOOHJLDQFH ZLWK WKDW VWDWHPHQW VRPH RU LVK \HDUV ODWHU FRQVLGHULQJ KRZ KH KDV PRYHG RQ since Gorgoroth.

1RQHWKHOHVV , WKLQN LW FDQ EH DQ LQWHUHVWLQJ VWDQG WR WDNH ,W LV LQFUHGLEO\ 0RGHUQ WKURXJK WKH SRVLWLRQLQJ RI SURJUHVV E\ ZD\ RI VWUHQJWK DQG SXULW\ DV QREOH RU SUHIHUUHG LGHDOV 6R LQ WKDW UHJDUG , JHW LW EXW LQ EUHDNLQJ LW GRZQ ZH VHH WKDW LW LV DFWXDOO\ SDUW RI D SRZHU G\QDPLF WKDW OHDGV WR HLWKHU WKH VWDJnation or full-on collapse of the system. It is really contingent RQ WKH SXULW\ RI WKLV GXDOLW\ ZLWK D GULYLQJ IRUFH ZKRVH RQO\ JRDO LV WR NHHS PRYLQJ IRUZDUG FRQWLQXH GRPLQDWLQJ DQG WKDW GRHV QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHĂ HFW WKH FRPSOH[LW\ RI WKH UHDO ZRUOG (YHQWXDOO\ WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ OHIW ZRUWK GRPLQDWLQJ DQG LW ZLOO EHJLQ WR FDQQLEDOL]H LWVHOI :H FDQ VHH H[DFWO\ KRZ SUREOHPDWLF WKDW LV ZLWK FDSLWDOLVP ULJKW QRZ , JXHVV WKHQ WKH ZD\ LQ ZKLFK WKLV UHODWHV WR P\ RZQ SUDFWLFH LV VXFK WKDW , DFWXDOO\ ORRN IRU WKH WLSSLQJ SRLQW WRZDUG WKH IDLOXUH RU FROODSVH RI WKDW VRUW RI LGHDO , DP LQWHUHVWHG LQ WKH SDUW RI WKH HTXDWLRQ ZKHUH WKH LGHDO EHFRPHV SHUIHFW WR WKH SRLQW RI LWV RZQ DQQLKLODWLRQ Is  a  focus  of  your  work  the  limitlessness  of  black  or  the  limitation  of  what  we  can  know  as  humans?  I  think  both  of  those  hit  me  equally  hard  at  different  times.  Your  work  evokes  a  sublime  nothing-­and-­everything  effect. Â

<HV ERWK RI WKRVH DUH GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ D SDUW RI WKH ZRUN DQG , EHOLHYH WKH\ DUH LQWHUFRQQHFWHG $V KXPDQV ZH KDYH D YHU\ VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F WKUHVKROG IRU ZKDW ZH FDQ HYHU NQRZ EDVHG RQ RXU ELRORJ\ DQG WKH UHODWLRQVKLS ZH KDYH ZLWK WKH UHVW RI WKH

XQLYHUVH :H RFFXS\ D À[HG SRVLWLRQ DQG DUH OLPLWHG WR RXU VHQVHV WHFKQRORJ\ DQG DELOLW\ WR LQWHUSUHW WKH GDWD ZH PD\ FROOHFW 7KH WUXH UHDOLW\ LV WKDW WKHUH LV D QHDU LQÀQLWH DPRXQW RI LQIRUPDWLRQ ZH ZLOO QRW RQO\ QHYHU NQRZ EXW QHYHU HYHQ NQRZ WKDW ZH ZRQ·W NQRZ LW EHFDXVH ZH ODFN WKH FDSDFLW\ WR HYHQ FRPSUHKHQG WKH SRWHQWLDO TXDQWLW\ Do you think an artist's work is inherently a self-­portrait?

, ZRXOG QRW UHDOO\ SKUDVH LW OLNH WKDW QR , WKLQN DQ DUWLVW DQG WKHLU ZRUN DUH LQKHUHQWO\ OLQNHG WR RQH DQRWKHU FHUWDLQO\ EXW LW·V D IDU PRUH FRPSOH[ DQG QXDQFHG UHODWLRQVKLS WKDQ WKH TXHVWLRQ EHJHWV , GR KRZHYHU WKLQN WKDW WKH DUWLVW·V SHUVRQDOLW\ DQG LQWHUHVWV FRPH WKURXJK LQ WKHLU ZRUN DQG vice-versa.

What are some of your favorite words that mean black?

$OO 1LJUHGR DOO WKH WLPH ,Q DOFKHPLFDO XVH LW LV WKH ÀUVW VWDJH RI WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ D GHFRPSRVLWLRQ DQG FOHDQVLQJ ZKLFK OHDG WRZDUG D SXUH HVVHQFH 7KH WHUP ZDV DOVR DGRSWHG E\ -XQJ DQG DSSOLHG WR SV\FKRORJ\ ZLWK UHJDUG WR RXU FRQVFLRXV DQG XQFRQVFLRXV DZDUHQHVV Outside of the studio, what things occupy your time?

7KHUH UHDOO\ LV QR RXWVLGH WKH VWXGLR LW LV DQ DOO FRQVXPLQJ SUDFWLFH , PHDQ , JR MRJJLQJ LQ WKH PRUQLQJV DQG , OLNH EXUULWRV DQG FDWV DQG UHFRUGV DQG VWXII EXW LW LV DOO UHDOO\ GHHSO\ LQWHUFRQQHFWHG DV IDU DV ,·P FRQFHUQHG 'LIIHUHQW PHDQV WRZDUG WKLV HQG , KDYH WR NHHS WKLV YHVVHO RI ÁHVK IXHOHG UHOD[HG RSHUDWLQJ ZLWK D FHUWDLQ FODULW\ DQG HIÀFLHQF\ LQ RUGHU WR SURSHUO\ FKDQQHO DQG H[HFXWH WKH ZRUN 0RVW RI P\ VRFLDO FDOHQGDU UHYROYHV DURXQG DUW RSHQLQJV RU JUDEELQJ EUXQFK ZLWK RWKHU DUWLVWV RU JRLQJ WR VHH OLYH PXVLF DQG WKLQJV OLNH WKDW EXW WKHVH DUH DOO WKLQJV WKDW IHHG WKH ZRUN RQH ZD\ RU DQRWKHU DQG WKH ZRUN LV DOZD\V SHUFRODWLQJ LQ WKH EDFN RI P\

80

Blackshift

VNXOO , DP DOVR SDUW RI D FROOHFWLYH ZKLFK RSHUDWHV 76$ JDOOHU\ LQ %URRNO\Q ZKHUH , DP DEOH WR SURYLGH RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR RWKHU DUWLVWV DQG H[SORUH RWKHU LQWHUHVWV DQG WDQJHQWV WKDW PD\ PDQLIHVW GLIIHUHQWO\ WKURXJK FXUDWLRQ WKDQ WKH\ GR LQ P\ LPPHGLDWH VWXGLR SUDFWLFH EXW WKHUH LV DOZD\V D UHODWLRQ 7KHUH LV QR RII VZLWFK What  is  your  vice?

Breathing.

Editor in Chief: Kylie Gava Managing Editor: Tara Mahadevan Text Editor: Laura Stamm Designer: Tuan Pham Feature Interview and Mini Interviews: Kylie Gava Spanish and French Question Translations: Braden Brown