The eXTra finGer

...''He was counting on his fingers.One two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven.Eleven?Had he been born with an extra finger?''...

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...& visit my web sites: Claudio Parentela's Official Site ''Claudio Parentela:Contemporary Art with a Freakish Taste!'' Lights&Shadows Disturbing Black Inks http://www.myspace.com/claudioparentela

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Friday, February 24, 2012

Interview with Shawn Huckins







q)Introduce yourself, name,age, location.


a)Shawn Huckins, current age 27, located in Denver, Colorado.


q)Can you describe your path to being an artist? When did you really get into it?


a)Since I can remember, I’ve always drawn in my little sketchbooks, drawing my favourite things, and as a kid, those favourite things were Disney characters, video game characters, and my favourite sports players. My grandmother passed away in 1993 and I was given her oil painting set and I decided to try painting for the first time. I remember how good the paint smelled, but I didn’t know what I was doing. I had no idea of how the medium worked and I became extremely frustrated and put painting aside and went back to drawing. I wasn’t reintroduce to painting until high school and wasn’t professionally trained until college. From the support and lessons from my professors in college, I feel in love with painting and for now, I’m exclusively a painter.


q)Describe your ideals and how they manifest in your work.


a)I guess I would describe myself as a traditional kind of guy, wishing for a more simpler way of life that was lived by the founding people of America. I do enjoy technology and could never be independent of it, but sometimes, it nice to dream of life without cellphones, Facebook, or computers, and enjoy more of the simpler things. I’ve always enjoyed the Colonial period ever since learning about it grade school and I wanted to express my “wishes” by comparing the two worlds, one world classified by political revolution and the other classified by technological revolution.


q)Is music a part of your studio time? What do you listen to?


a)It’s on constantly. I usually get sick of my own music, so I tend to turn on the iTunes radio and stream all types of music, from classical to bluegrass, new age alternative rock to 80’s and 90’s pop.


q)How would you describe your work to someone?


a)My current series explores 18th century American portraiture juxtaposed with the superimposition of large white letters over top symbolising current day digital speak, such as text acronyms, Facebook status updates, and tweets.


q)Influences?


a)It’s pretty evident Edward Ruscha is a huge influence on my work. Ever since I saw his work in college, I just feel in love with and I had to channel it somehow. Other influences are Wayne Thiebaud for his use of colour, John Singleton Copley for his brilliant skills to paint people that could come alive, and Robert Bechtle for his compositions.


q) Describe your process for creating new work.


a)It all starts with finding the right tweet, text, or status update to superimpose over the image. I never use my texts as I feel the work would be feel too contrived, so I use third party texts of people of whom I never met and it seems to flow more naturally. Then I find the perfect painting to replicate to contrast the text and begins with a drawing on trace and on Photoshop.


q)What advice do you have for artists looking to show their work?


a)I’ve gained a lot of exposure through e-zines and art blogs. Once someone sees the work and likes it, they will post to their own blogs and the web continues, so I would recommend submitting work to all the blogs where your work would fit best. Also, try to visit your local galleries and get any opportunities to show with them to get some local exposure.


q)What are you really excited about right now?


a)The release of New American Paintings Issue 98 which was just released and also, my upcoming shows. I also have some ideas cooking for future series which I’m excited about, but still need to be more thought out.


q)What do you love most about where you live?


a)The mountains, the food, and the microbrews.


q)Best way to spend a day off?


a)I really enjoy doing new things, seeing new sites, or going to new restaurants or bars. When I take a day off, I try to make the most of it and try new activities. But if it’s a typical stay at home kind of day, I enjoy reading, going for a run, and cooking.


q)Upcoming shows/ projects?


a)Inaugural Group Exhibition, Vol. 2 held at Gildar Gallery, Denver, CO. Opening March 2nd.

Two Person Exhibition Featuring Shawn Huckins and Billy Reynolds held at L2Kontemporary Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Opening June 23rd.

Two Person Exhibition held at Cain Schulte Contemporary Art, San Francisco, CA. Opening June 28th.


q)Where can people see more of your work on the internet?


a)www.shawnhuckins.com


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Interview with Carlito Dalceggio







q)Introduce yourself, name,age, location.


a)CARLITO DALCEGGIO-SECRET SILK SOCIETY- 41 , CURRENTLY IN MONTREAL AT MERCAN DEDE STUDIO


q) Can you describe your path to being an artist? When did you really get into it?


a)I WAS BORN TO BE AN ARTIST; IT IS TRACED FOR ME AND I HAVE A MISSION-THERE IS NO EXILE NO ESCAPE-
I LEARNED ART BY MAKING IT, NON STOP IN A FURIOUS PASSION , TRAVELING ALL OVER THE WORLD LEARNING WITH THE TRIBES, WITH TRADITIONAL MASTERS, WITH PSYCHEDELICS, INSTALLING POP-UP STUDIOS IN MANY DIFFERENT LOCATIONS SUCH AS THE DESERT IN INDIA, PARIS, NEW YORK, MEXICO, BRAZIL... i am a gypsy, like the wind, running for something that does not exist, BUT I KNOW I WILL FIND IT


q) Describe your ideals and how they manifest in your work.


a)I AM A FREEDOM WARRIOR, A SEEKER, AND A PEARL DIVER, MY PAINTINGS ARE RADICAL FREE FREEDOM FLAGS , TALISMAN TO PROVOKE AND CHARM AND TO TRANSFORM



q) Is music a part of your studio time? What do you listen to?

a)MUSIC IS VITAL TO MY CREATION, ALWAYS LOUD MUSIC PLAYING IN MY STUDIO, IT IS CREATING THE SILENCE IN THE MODERN WORLD,,, I LISTEN FROM SUFI TRANCE TO QUAWALLI TO MALI DESERT MUSIC TO NEW TWISTED ELECTRONICA TO TRANCE TO CHANTS TO PROTEST SONGS, EVERYTHING THAT GIVES ME THE KICKS,----- THESE DAYS, I AM INTO SHACKLETON AND FOREVER SHPONGLE,,,, BOLERO DE RAVEL,,,
WE NEED TO CREATE A SPACE FOR RITUAL, A FREE PLACE TO EXPLODE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE GREAT ALCHEMICAL WORK,,,,


q) How would you describe your work to someone?

a)I DO NEVER DESCRIBE MY WORK--- I SHARE THE VISIONS, THE PAINTINGS, THE MURALS, THE WRITINGS, THE FILMS, INSTALLATIONS PERFORMANCES, YOU HAVE TO SEE IT ALL TO HAVE A GLOBAL IDEA OF MY VISIONS, PAINTINGS ONLY EXPRESS ONE PART OF MY MESSAGE


q) Influences?

a)AN ARTIST ONLY RE-TRANSMIT WHAT THE ANCESTORS HAVE LEFT BEHIND AND CHANGE IT , UPLIFT IT,
----HUICHOL ART-HERMAN HESSE- AYAHUASCA VISIONS, THE OCEAN, CHILDREN DRAWINGS, COBRA MOVEMENT, CAROUSSELS, PICASSO, BASQUIAT,TWOMBLY, SACRED TIBETAN ART, ALL SYMBOLS IN THE STREETS, TRIBAL ART, EROTICISM, RED WINE, ALLEN GINSBERG, ALL REVOLUTIONS, EVERY MOMENT IN LIFE,,, PEYOTE, -----NATURE AND TREES---


q) Describe your process for creating new work.

a)IT S A TOTAL TRANCE WHERE I LOOSE MY HUMAN SHAPE, I LOOSE CONSCIOUSNESS, AND I ACCESS A HIGHER LEVEL WHERE I AM ONE WITH THE UNIVERSE, A REAL KICK, AN ECSTASY, A BLEND OF EUPHORIA AND SILENCE, AN EXPLOSIVE MANTRA,


q) What advice do you have for artists looking to show their work?

a)NEVER WAIT FOR NOBODY, NEVER WAIT FOR A GALLERY, CREATE YOUR OWN UNIVERSE ANYWHERE YOU CAN FIND--RISK EVERYTHING YOU ARE, BLOW IT-
AND CREATE A SPACE THAT RELATES TO YOUR VISION-BE TRUTHFUL TO YOUR MESSAGE AND SACRIFICE YOURSELF TO ACHIEVE AND TRANSMIT IT
GET A KICK, A REAL THRILL, PLEASURE IS THE KEY


q) What are you really excited about right now?

a)SO MANY VOLCANOS ARE ERUPTING NOW, CONSTANT MUTATION, IDIG DEEPER
I JUST STARTED TO PRODUCE A DUO EXHIBITION WITH TURKISH MUSICIAN-PAINTER MERCAN DEDE, TO BE PRESENTED IN AN ART FOUNDATION, BORUSAN MUSIC HOUSE IN MAY, WE LOCKED OURSELVES IN HIS STUDIO WITH HUNDRED OF LITERS OF COLORS AND ROLLS OF CANVAS
ALSO, I JUST COMPLETED A SERIE OF FILMS, LABYRINTH OF LIBERATION,, THE VISION WILL SOON BE SHARED WITH THE PEOPLE,
AND OTHE THINGS, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE UNKNOWN
ABOUT A PAINTING TRIP TO MONGOLIA AND A MURAL I WILL PAINT IN VLADIVOSTOK



q) What do you love most about where you live?

a)I DO NOT REALLY LIVE SOMEWHERE, I FLY WITH THE PROJECTS AND THEY GUIDE MY GYPSY ROAD,
EVERY PLACE HAVES A SPECIAL ESSENCE, AND I LOVE TO GO PAINT IN SEVERAL PLACES TO DRINK THE PERFUME OF THE FIELD OF JOY AND TRANSMIT IT


q) Best way to spend a day off?

a)THERE IS NO DAY OFF FOR AN ARTIST, THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE, I PAINT EVERYDAY****
BUT A DAY WITHOUT A BRUSH MUST BE SPENT MAKING LOVE WITH A MUSE AND TRACING OUT


q) Upcoming shows/ projects?

a)-MAY 18- REVOLUTION REVELATION, WITH MERCAN DEDE, ISTANBUL, BORUSAN MUSIC HOUSE, MULTI MEDIA EXHIBITION AND LIVE STUDIO
-ART CAR FOR BURNING MAN IN AUGUST
-GIANT MURAL IN VLADIVOSTOK AND PERFORMANCE IN SEPT
-LAUNCH OF MY FILM -LABYRINTH OF LIBERATION,, SOOON
AND OTHER SECRET STUFF I DO NOT TALK ABOUT



q) Where can people see more of your work on the internet?

a)WWW.CARLITODALCEGGIO.COM
ON FACEBOOK FOR RECENT STUFF
VIVA LA REVOLUCION

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Interview with GREATeclectic, aka Kendrick Daye






q)Introduce yourself, name,age, location.

a)My name is GREATeclectic, aka Kendrick Daye, I'm 24 years old and based in Miami, Florida.

q) Can you describe your path to being an artist? When did you really get into it?

a)I was always creating and drawing, even as a kid. My mother caught on to this, and made sure she nurtured that talent. I was in Magnet art schools in Middle and High School. Even when I went away to College at Morehouse College in Atlanta to study English, I still was working on art, it was something I couldn't stop doing.

q) Describe your ideals and how they manifest in your work.

a)As an artist I blend the most abstractly familiar elements of life – love, envy, wealth, wrath, perception, desire, greed, necessity, lust, identity, indulgence, ideals, ego, morals, said bankruptcy, and fears – with the rawest veneer of famous faces. My pieces are pastiches – whole in-and-of themselves but even more so in context of one another. Pop & Politics are alive and well-contented bedfellows in this world. The personal space stands as the preeminent public place of judgment. Shadows dance in rigid rhythmic formation with neon strobes. The entire world coalesces into a kaleidoscopic cultural landscape… where we are presented with our own selves from before the mass-mediated mirror of Pop life.

q) Is music a part of your studio time? What do you listen to?

a)Music is a huge part of my studio time. I can't work without it. I listen to alot of mixes or songs I'm working on. But right now I've been re-exploring Fiona Apple's "Tidal," Missy Elliot's "Da Real World" and Duran Duran's "Red Carpet Massacre." I also can't get enough of Cassie's "King of Hearts."

q) How would you describe your work to someone?

a)It is arduous. It is bright. It is delusional. It is hidden in prismatic view. It is seeing roses through Reagan-colored sunglasses. It is waking up to the first Pink Friday after Sunday mourning. It is the scene sweet-tooth before and beneath the staid urban decay. It is everything in one place, in distorted focus, for no other reason than for you to see it; because we’ve been blinded by the guided light, because we need to throw shade if only to stargaze again.


q) Influences?

a)Andy Warhol. Jean-Michel Basquiat. Keith Haring. Ron English. Shepard Fairey. Banksy.


q) Describe your process for creating new work.

a)In the beginning stages of creating a new body of work I initially just have my materials around me and get to work on something. Later, after I begin to notice recurring themes and from that I go back to the drawing board and sketch more concrete ideas, edit, edit, edit and start over.

q) What advice do you have for artists looking to show their work?

a)Be open to new avenues of showing your work starting out. Everyone would love that big gallery, with clean white walls, but don't shut out using coffee shops or lounges and other non-traditional venues. The idea is to have your work seen.

q) What are you really excited about right now?

a)I'm really excited about life. There's so much I have to look forward to


q) What do you love most about where you live?

a)I love that there is no such thing as Winter. I love that water is all around. I love that my family is here. I love that art and street art is huge here.


q) Best way to spend a day off?

a)I don't have days off. But if I did, I might go to the beach and just sit, sketch and people watch.


q) Upcoming shows/ projects?

a)Right now I'm prepping for my second solo exhibition. It's entitled "Kendrick is Dead," and it should be opening sometime Late Spring/Early Summer. I just released my first project of original music "Planet of the Ape$," which you can download
here, and I'm currently working on the follow up entitled "Large Fears" which should be out the end of the Summer.

q) Where can people see more of your work on the internet?

a)You can check out my website
www.greateclectic.com it links to all my art and music and other social networking sites. I also post new work constantly on my Tumblr www.greateclectic.tumblr.com

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Interview with Shalom Tomas Neuman







q)Please tell us your name and where you practice.

a)Shalom Tomas Neuman. I live and work in both New York City, US and Prague, Czech Republic


q) Why do you make art?

a)It’s what I have been doing my entire life almost every day for sixty years.... I need to make art; it is almost an uncontrollable bodily function. In fact, when I was asked that question in 1970 while I was doing my graduate thesis, I said I need to make art like I need to eat and shit. In saying this I was told that I offended the Dean of the school and the benefactors!


q) How do you work ?

a)I am fortunate enough to have my studio below my warehouse loft in Brooklyn, New York. I make art everyday.


q) What’s your background?

a)I have a B.F.A. and an M.F.A. in both Painting and Sculpture from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA as well as postgraduate fellowship in Sculpture from Indian University


q) What role does the artist have in society?

a)From my vantage point, the artist uses his artwork to speak his (or her) mind, express his opinions and beliefs and to mirror society and culture. Art is a direct reflection of the times in which we live. An artist’s job is to speak to that honestly, no matter what the cost.


q) What was a seminal experience for you ?

a)Arriving on a boat from Israel into New York Harbor at age 13. It blew my mind because I had never seen such tall buildings nor had I ever seen cars, only jeeps and buses.


q) Has your practice changed over time ?

a)All of my artwork is framed within the concept of Fusion art (see below). My creative process has not changed but it has expanded into more(with new materials and equipment) technology just as our world has become irrevocably entrenched in technology. The number of consumers who have computers, smart phones, tablets, e-readers, etc has grown exponentially and all signs point to that trend is continuing.


q) What art do you most identify with ?

a)Multi sensory, multi disciplinary art, what I have called FusionArt since the 1960s. Art that combines all the artistic genres such as painting, sculpture, action/performance, written/spoken word, etc. into a unique genre of its own.


q) What’s your strongest memory of your childhood ?

a)The Israeli Mediterranean Ocean and walking barefoot most of the time.


q) What themes do you pursue ?

a)Inequality, injustice, ecology/consumerism and religious dogma.


q) Describe a real life experience that inspired you.

a)When I returned to Prague, the city of my birth, as an adult for the first time.


q) What’s your most embarrassing moment ?

a)I have a tendency to forget a person's name within minutes of being introduced and then I call them by another, completely unrelated name. It gets confusing to say the least.


q) What jobs have you done other than being an artist ?

a)I have taught art on a college level for 40 years. to put myself through school I worked as a dishwasher and a finishing carpenter.


q) What responses have you had to your work?

a)I have always had very positive responses to my work. But in New York everything is about being expedient and commercial - make art fast, sell art fast; bang a nail in the wall, throw a painting/print/photograph on it, wheel in a pedestal and place a sculpture on it. Galleries want the less complicated work. This is the direct antithesis to the European aesthetic which is more open to and appreciative of the complexities and multiple layers of fusion art.


q) What do you dislike about the art world ?

a)The phoniness and the unwillingness to embrace anything or anyone new that hasn’t already be “anointed” by the powers that be. The fact that the art world is more about commodity than creativity. It often isn’t about the art, but rather about who you know with the most money and connections.


q) What research do you do ?

a)I have a personal assistant who helps me with my research.


q) What is your dream project?

a)To create a completely multi sensory environmental room where the illusion of space and time is constantly changing and evolving. What seems near can be far, what seems tangible is intangible and vice versa. You are enmeshed in the artwork, and you do not know if you are outside, or inside or where you are in time and space.


q) What’s the best piece of advice you have been given ?

a)Elaine DeKooning advising me to come to New York.


q) What couldn’t you do without?

a)Health


q) What makes you angry?

a)Dishonesty and disloyalty


q) What is your worst quality?

a)I am too trusting. I prefer to believe that people are motivated by good and as we all know this isn’t always the case.


q) Dogs or Cats ?

a)I love both

q) Making art is a lot like tripping on LSD. Know what I mean?


a)I agree completely! I get a natural high making art.


q) What does “ copy” mean to you ?

a)To be unoriginal - if you have to copy the thoughts and ideas of others, you are both unoriginal and not a creative trailblazing thinker.


q) What’s your favorite cuss word ?

a)Charah, which means shit in Hebrew