Wallfarmers[dot]ca - Matt and Russell interview

What we have here is a little 3-way interview with Matt Andres, Russell Alton (Choplogik) and myself over the internets. Good times. There were some glitches but we pulled it together. I really wanted to get these two in a conversation about their

wlfmrs: Let's get down to business... How do you guys approach work for a new show? When you're faced with coming up with a theme, title and content...

Matt: I try and approach it as natural as possible. My work has a constant change to it. So I try and key into why it's changing at that moment and go with that.

Chop: Well, my art is a little all over the place. I make the art that I want to see. Weaving a common thread through it is almost a practice that comes after the fact.

That said, if I find a concept that really works for me, I can focus in that direction.

Matt: I think if I tried to come up with the idea/theme first my work would loose it's energy.

wlfmrs: (please go on to ask eachother questions as well..lets get interactive with this )

Chop: Nice try, Tarah. We're not doing your job for you!

wlfmrs: hahah damn it!

Chop: I agree. Although, you can have the form of a concept in mind when creating work.. in a way that guides it, but doesn't restrict it. A lot of great shows end up that way- but not every artist creates in that fashion.

Matt: Right. I guess being 'present' while doing my work is the whole point. It's the one thing I always try and show the viewer.

Chop: I know for myself, one of the big successes in my practice is just putting pen to paper and letting the piece grow organically, without a lot of precognition.

wlfmrs: Do you guys prefer to have a theme when starting a body of work?

Chop: No. Unless the theme is 'AWESOME'. That's the only theme.

Matt: No. Like I said the journey and energy are always my theme. I don't even like theme parties!

Chop: Aw man, not even a tuxedo moustache party?

Matt: especially that

wlfmrs: HA... it does show that your work tends to lend itself to any given concept. So Matt, you like to have more freedom in your shows, obviously?

Matt: Absolutely. I like doing themed group shows here and there. Takes me out of my normal zone. But only for a moment. Need to get right back into why I'm doing this.

wlfmrs: Matt, do you consider your work to be therapeutic?

Chop: Art only becomes art once it's viewed, once the audience interprets & reacts to it in their own personal way. The meanings & ideas that others perceive in my work is always fascinating, as they're often far and away from what I could imagine! Matt's work is totally primed for that. It doesn't have any signposts in it but your own mind.

wlfmrs: I like that, Russ. Well said about Matt's work.

Matt: Well said! My work does help me in my everyday life. Couldn't survive without it.

I actually stopped with the characters I was doing because to me they were too literal.

Although I know there'll be more of them at some point in the future.

Chop: Creating art is an itch that has to be scratched. So to make a living at satisfying that itch is the most I can hope for.

I was going to ask what led you in this new direction, away from your characters, Matt.

Matt: Psychadelic drugs.

wlfmrs: How important is it for you to have your work labeled by it's audience? I've heard Matt's work described as contemporary and Russ, your work described as illustrative. How do these labels make you feel about the energy you put into them.

Matt: haha... I don't know. It felt too much like I was telling the viewer what they were looking at.

Chop: So instead of drawing a person, just draw their mental state instead? Represent the abstract?

Matt: And I'm very attracted to the idea of letting the hand decide what happens. Being in the moment. This works better as an abstract piece.

Chop: Labels & sub-genres & compartmentalization can be a helpful guide in describing art in general terms, but it doesn't necessarily prove useful in understanding & appreciating art; so I don't really like being put in a specific box. It doesn't tell the whole story.

Matt: It doesn't really work for me because it'll only end up confusing the viewer even more. My work changes fast and if I get labeled too much it's going to put a stronger box on the work.

Chop: We're always in situations where you have to explain your art in some other form than just making people look at it, though- so you need to develop a common vocabulary with the rest of the world!

Matt: Part of the game.

Chop: I assume, anyhow. I still don't know how to describe my work.

I usually just say 'Awesome stuff'

wlfmrs: I agree.. art is so subjective to each viewer based on their experience..

Matt: You're still doing that?

wlfmrs: I agree.. Awesome

Chop: It's still awesome!

Matt: haha true indeed

Chop: Very true Tarah. Because of that subjectivity a person can end up with expectations & prejudices about art, and the artist, before even getting to know the work. That's a great way to end up disappointed for no reason other than it didn't fit with your assumption.

To view art you need to be in a receptive state, not with a closed mind.

Dude.

wlfmrs: What is more important in your work, if you have to choose one, content or technique?

Chop: Whether it's a mindscape like Matt's, or a goofy robot octopus.

Oh man, choose one? Each suffers without the other!

Matt: I'd go with content or why it was created. But there needs to be knowledge and technique behind the piece. For me at least.

wlfmrs: would you risk pushing your abilities to define content in a piece?

Chop: Well, I come from a school of thought that values technical ability. I have very little patience for 'conceptual' art that is executed poorly. A lot of it just seems like wankery. If you truly believe in your concept, polish it.

wlfmrs: Well said

Matt: I'd like to believe I would.

Chop: That seems like a good way to move forward as an artist.

wlfmrs: I think it's good to know, as an artist, that you are willing to put yourself out there in that way. Have you ever been intimidated to work with another artist?

Matt: No, never sweat the technique.

Chop: I haven't really been in that situation. If I like it enough to hang on a wall, then I'm not really stressin' that the work next to mine is going to outshine it. Even if it clearly does. Just make it perfect and you'll be fine!

wlfmrs: Did you hear that in Ontario, they are talking about setting forth laws against dwarf-tossing? I can't believe it took them so long!

Chop: Against? But it's their culture!

I think we should have more respect for tradition, personally. Family Values. Etc.

Matt: I'm confused now. Dwarf tossing?

Chop: A world where I can't engage in some consensual dwarf-tossery is a world that doesn't know freedom.

wlfmrs: oh, yeah dude.. apparently, it's a thing..check it out.

So Russ, how far do you think you could toss a small adult?

Chop: If this was an article in a magazine, that would be the quote that would be blown up large.

Matt: I know it exists. So does having them walk around at parties with helmets that have serving trays attached to them.

Does not make it right!

Chop: Well, I'm an artist these days, which means my arms are weak & marshmellowy. I'd probably fumble & drop him, and buy him a drink.

Matt: Small peeps are back in style. With 'Game of Thrones' and everything.

wlfmrs: This sounds like a healthy debate between you two...

Chop: Next show's theme.

wlfmrs: perfect!

Matt: Already told you, I do not do themes.

Chop: Cover dwarves in paint and throw them at a large canvas. Sell it for $400,000.

Matt: Well, not that one.

Uhhh, nevermind. I'm in.

Chop: What if we were in tuxedos? Would you participate then?

Matt: Nope, I change my mind. Tuxedos? I'm out.

wlfmrs: who wears the tuxedos? the dwarves?

Chop: Who doesn't wear the tuxedos?! Matt.

wlfmrs: hahaha burn!

Chop: It's fine, he chose to toss dwarves in his birthday suit. This is a circle of non-judgment.

Matt: It's the only way.

wlfmrs: I'm selling tickets to that one.. wait, can I do that? You won't be dancing as well, will you Matt?

Never mind.. don't answer that

Matt: Only if there's Ska being played.

wlfmrs: Let's get back on track

So, at this point, I was booted from our chat and wasn't able to finish the interview in this format...which was a huge bummer because we were having fun...even if it was becoming a sort of shitshow. The remainder of the interview questions were emailed, BORING!

wlfmrs: What prospects do you have coming up for this year?

Chop: My next show will be at Ayden Gallery in May, one of the supporting artists in Mandy Tsung's show. Then it's nose to the grindstone with an eye out for more opportunities.

Matt: There is a few shows/projects that I am very excited for. I'll be showing at The Electric Umbrella in September. This a gallery/tattoo shop in Nanaimo that's run by Russ Morland(aka Lurk). Really excited to finally be doing something with Russ as he's an artist I have a lot of respect for.

I'm currently working on a very exciting project here in Victoria but at this point it's very hush hush. It'll take my art in directions it's never been and I can't wait to be able to talk about it.

wlfmrs: Chops: any insight to the instillation you have planned for this show?

Chop: I'm bringing over my String Theory Safari, a series of creatures drawn in a stream-of-consciousness, automatic style, so I think some big specimens should invade the walls!