For the month of November we are excited to be featuring an exhibition of work by local artist Mario Zoots. Zoots is well known in the local art scene for his collage works, which explore the manipulation of contemporary cultural images as well as classic images. He was recently named one of the top 12 artists under 35 in Colorado by the Denver Post and is also known for his work with the music group Modern Witch. His exhibit at Fancy Tiger Clothing will consist of recent collage works and will be on display through the month of November. Zoots recently took the time to answer a few questions for us in preparation for his exhibition.
FT: How did you get your start as an artist?
MZ: Five or six years ago I started making collages using mostly images of fashion and architecture. People really liked them, so I kept doing it. One of my first large commissions was for Urban Outfitters in 2008, they commissioned me to create a holiday gift card that was sold online and in stores throughout the US. Shortly after I was published by ROJO, which is an independent creative agency that promotes contemporary art to a worldwide audience. Last year ROJO flew me and Kristy Fenton out to Sao Paulo to create a installation and perform as Modern Witch (http://modernwitchmusic.com/) in The Museum of Image + Sound Sao Paulo (http://rojo-nova.com/2010/sao/category/news/). This was the most amazing trip of my life; creating art in a Brazilian museum with some really talented artists changed my life. There was a hard cover catalog of the show published featuring Spike Jones, Maya Hayuk, Yoshi Sodeka, myself and many more. (http://rojo-projects.com/2010/08/nova/)
FT: Where do you find the best inspiration for your work?
MZ: I find inspiration for my work from reading books, looking at magazines and being on the Internet. I make work out of the media surrounding me, whether it audio or visual. I am inspired by psychology and fashion, science books and Aliester Crowley. When making things I take a surrealist approach and truly believe in chance operation, I attempt to tap into my unconscious while working. And in doing so I disconnect from the actual imagery and try to let the pieces arrange themselves.
FT: What music do you listen to when you work?
MZ: Currently on my ipod: Absolute Body Control, Babe Rainbow, Blank Dogs, Glenn Branca, Lil Wayne, Neil Young, Nico, Obelisk, Oppenheimer Analysis, Psychodrama, Salem, Silent Signals, Sound Dimension, Studio, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Throbbing Gristle + Xeno and Oaklander.
FT: What would you like people to know about your work/process that isn’t evident when looking at it?
MZ: I default to a quote by Baudrillard: “We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning.”
My projects are:
Join us Friday November 4th from 7pm-10pm to celebrate the work of Mario Zoots. Zoots will be on hand deejaying the event and beverages will be provided by Great Divide Brewery.
See you Friday!
xoxo
Fancy Tiger Clothing
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