5 questions with Anto Christ

As with many discoveries of artists, the 2095 chick first fell head over heals in love with Anto Christ at ....yep, you guessed it already: PM3.

The first thing that struck the 2095'er was the apparent random use of colours and she was immediately thrown back to school when marbling was one of the more personally favoured mandatory "art" classes (not that the 2095'er ever felt she had an artistic bone in her being other than to admire and wish she could be as good as others, such was the self-imposed perfectionist state she had at that age....ahh where would we be without the beauty of hindsight).

As with many images captured, when in the confines of home and revelling in the days' activities, the 2095'er found herself constantly looking at these images in an almost trance-like state.  

The more she looked, the more the 2095'er became captivated with its intricacy, the "layers" of complexity and the cleverness of the artist.

It wasn't until about a year later that the 2095'er and her street-art play-date friend were wandering the streets of the Inner West, that they stumbled across (well let's get real here: you never actually "stumble" across anything when on the hunt.  You know the streets, you walk past them in the hope that perhaps a new wall has gone up and then leave it a while, hoping and praying for something fresh to appear say within the next 10000 days or so) the most incredible wall to be had in a very long time.

As luck would have it, it was late afternoon with those annoying shadows "ruining" what could have been THE perfect image, so close ups were needed, if nothing else other than to say "we got it!".

Here are my 5 questions with the amazing multi-dimensional artist Anto Christ.

Who is Anto Christ

My name is Anto and the Christ came after.  I create other worlds and in that world I am the God.  

So I am Anto Christ.

Your use of colour is extravagant, absolutely in your face (in the nicest possible way) and unforgettable.  What is it about fluro that appeals to you so much

I believe that colour awakens the soul and de-programmes anyone who is experiencing it.  By "de-programming" I mean changing their perspective on looking a certain way to participate in this society. I feel like people are afraid to wear certain colours because it's "out there" but I think that's such a cop out.

Who is to say what's normal and what isn't?!  I really don't care what people think of me. And I don't believe we should all look the same to fit in because everyone is different.

I gave in to expectations when I was growing up and I was very unhappy because I could never live up to them.  I could never fit into the "box" they were trying to create for me.  I choose to express myself through clothes because I am a canvas; and I also have the right to express myself however I see fit in this reality.

No one has the right to judge others for their race, sexuality and something as shallow as a piece of clothing...but it happens.  I hear of kids getting killed in other countries for dressing as an "Emo".  This to me is extreme. Not the clothing I am wearing.

Colours inspire me every day and it also opens up a dialogue with the public.  I have met the most amazing people through the act of self-adornment.  I call it "Adornism".  I don't follow fashion trends and I am weary of buying most of the new products that are out there on the market.  Not only are they made poorly, but the people who are making them are working in less than ideal conditions and not being paid properly for the work they are doing because of the big corporations that are trying to cut down on their costs.

I enjoy wearing vintage fashion because I can also alter the pieces to suite my style. I am attracted to textures and details like embroidery. I am an Adornist through and through.

Street artist, Performance Artist & Designer.  Do you keep these persona's separated and when does Anto Christ simply become the person without the makeup who chills, watches tv and takes time to "be"

I don't really have that much of a separation between these things and I don't really see things as a persona (except for my crochet pieces).  I am Anto 24/7, just different degrees of me I guess. 

I could never be anything else really.  A lot of people ask me what I'm "dressed up" for, but I don't seeing it as dressing up.  This just happens to be my taste.

My makeup takes around 20 minutes to do and it takes me around 15 minutes to choose an outfit.  It's normal to me and comes very naturally.  Obviously when I'm at home, I'm usually in my underwear creating and watching movies.  My bedroom is pretty much my studio.  I can spend more time on creating than travelling to and from.

But I am an artist who really lives their work.  I don't have a separation and I don't put on an act.  I just "am" all the time.  When I was much younger and tried wearing convention outfits it just didn't look right on me and I felt very uncomfortable in my skin.  I guess it's all about perspective really.

I span the genres when it comes to mediums I choose to work with but I look at it all as a whole.  The paintings, the clothing, the designs and sculpture are all one thing really

Your collab with Atlas Mapps is extraordinarily beautiful, complex and one (that as a photographer) need to be looked at and often for each time we do we find something new.  How long did it take to not only plan but create this wonderwall

Atlas Mapps is an extraordinary and prolific artist.  I think we have both been influenced by each other and always dreamt of doing a collaboration.  Because I was leaving the country (Australia), we decided to finally do it and our friend Pat's parents actually own the wall and gave us permission to do something that wasn't a tag of someone's name.

We wanted to give something back to Newtown because that place gave us so much inspiration.  We had no plan with the image per se.  We gathered all the materials we could find around us and just really let loose on the wall.

We threw paint on, finger painted and saw things emerging out of the colours that were before us.  Atlas Mapps used really unconventional materials like crayons and glitter as well as acrylics.  I don't even think we fully finished it but I guess that's the magic of the piece.  

It's constantly changing because the sun will affect it as time goes on.

When can we see some more of Anto Christ's work in Australia???!!! (pretty please with sugar on top we BEG you to come back soon!)

Australia will always be my home.  And I will come back eventually, but for now I have lots of work to do with Casio Ono out here in Berlin.

The Colour Parade (see more "here") will still be happening in Sydney & Melbourne but unfortunately I won't be there but stayed tuned for your next Colour Parade Event!

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From Australia to Berlin, the 2095 chick thanks Anto Christ for not only her time, photos and insight but for bringing some much needed colour and antiestablishmentariasm in to our lives in that it's ok to live outside that square of conformity!

Keep up with Anto Christ's happenings

click "here" to visit her website

or you can listen to some Party Relaxation 

with both Anto Christ and Casio Ono "here"

PM3

For followers of the 2095'ers ramblings, it would be difficult to not to acknowledge the fact that PM3 had a major impact upon her life as a streetart photographer.

Prior to first visit she had heard various comments by some that it wasn't "their scene" in that it wasn't "street" enough for them.  Being a fairly philosophical person, the 2095 chick did not let this influence her at all: in fact it was the opposite.  And besides, why would you not want to to see something that was street, with its stage being a world heritage listed island in the middle of Sydney Harbour!

Undeterred, the 2095'ers maiden voyage to Cockatoo Island was on the official opening day.  While she had been aware that installations & PM3 starting before the official start date, for some inexplicable reason the chick elected to not go and upon reflection she still is unable to pinpoint exactly why.

No need to dwell or attempt self-analysis (cause this could go on for eternity!) the main point is that she got there.

After exploring the exterior and needing to have a breather, the 2095'er swivelled her head and there it was.  In ya face, drowning with layers, an explosion of colour, HUGE pasteups and in the midst of it all it was.....total silence.  

A complete contradiction of the senses in an almost blissfully suffocating way.

As with most experiences the desire to share via slideshow was a no-brainer. Inspired, feeling incredibly excited and proud that the Aussies were showing the world "how it was done", each sound bite expresses the 2095 chick emotions at time of "production" (or reflection as the case may be).

One must be patient given there are 4 in total and even then they do not cover every frame captured.

Inside came a need to capture as many images of PM3 as humanly possible in an almost obsessive nature.  

Perhaps deep down the 2095'er understood that this may be a one time experience and as it was quasi-street, where things can change daily, such was the desire to capture these changes: hence multiple returns became almost a way of life for the chick.

An intense feeling of sadness and grief overcame the 2095'er at the end of this amazing experience.  Initially excited that the new date had been released the 2095'er could barely contain her excitement at what would be on show at the next Outpost.  Sadly this was not meant to be.  

For reasons that still perplex her, the 2095 chick "got" that the honchos (or those with the moula to fund such an 'exhibition') felt it was time to take away from the artists and transform this "test" to how THEY perceived it should be thus removing entirely what street and art is really all about.

The 2095 chick remains incredibly sad as it seems (or at least in the 2095'ers humble opinion) that the arts are once again left on the side burner by those with the dosh who have some inane feeling of "ownership" and remove the opportunity to educate those who may not fully understand what street art is all about.

On a personal level they have removed the opportunity for the 2095'er (and others) to explore, admire and become hopelessly lost within the world of streetart in a single location.

As such we must thank Ben Frost, Konsumterra and all that contributed to PM3.  The 2095'er must also personally thank each and every artist that she has now become familiar with on a more personal level for without PM3 she may not be able to do her blogs.

As she has a ridiculously high number of images (and even now, they are still not all uploaded) feel free to check out the 2095'ers PM3 set "here" but be mindful that while images remain the property of the 2095'er the actual paste ups remain the property of the artist/s.

5 Questions with Fezwitch

It would be almost impossible for the 2095'er to NOT refer to that "thing" she went to time and time again....you know.....PM3.  For this was the place that she spied THE most amazing sticker which was provocative, profound and hysterical all bundled in to one.

With each return to Cockatoo Island and as part of her mantra to 'capture as much as I can', the 2095 consciously sought out other pieces by this artist.  

So many amazing pieces to be had & captured in this extraordinary location, almost mind bending at times.  But deep within, the 2095 felt compelled to continue on this journey and rather than fight against the tide, she simply let this compulsion lead her where it may.

irony being this is now strangely appropriate given our current embarrassing political state of affairs

With the boldness and safety behind the fibreoptic, the 2095 made contact with the Fez and from there (once again thanks to social media) a connection was made which leads us beautifully in to the 5 Questions with Fezwitch

When did the world of Fezwitch begin

It all began in 2006.  Prior to that, I expressed my creativity through corporate Graphic Design and clients who I had no real connection with.

Street art was a great way to get my own ideas out there, so I printed a few paste-ups and went for it!

"Maggid" means storyteller and my name references like "The Maggid of Mezritch" is in relation to a respected Polish mystical scholar in the 1700's.

I use visual communication and humour to tell my stories and illustrate my obsession with classic computer technology.

Much of your work could be perceived as reactionary to current political events.  Is this the main drive behind your works, or is it more of an innocuous thought that "appears" from an off-tangent musing, observation or experience

My intention is to make people smile and rethink the accepted stereotypes that popular culture wants us to believe.

Many pieces of mine contain that cynical vibe that pokes fun at the consumer brands we all live and breath by.  Also personal interests and observations form ideas, which are then translated in to a piece.

Do you see yourself as a political satirist

Overall no, but I do like playing with politics as a subject

You had a fantastic project where there public were encouraged to send you the good old floppy disc decorated free form and then placed in various locations around your former stomping ground.  What was the inspiration behind that particular activity

I'm just slightly obsessed with used and abused floppy discs.  I use the disc as a tag with an easily recognisable shape and form that represents the speed of technological advancement.

They all hold some unknown piece of data (be that 100/200kb) and each time a disc goes up, so does a piece of information that someone needed at some point of time in their lives.  Including the public is a way to remind people of this and get involved in street art.  Discs also make cute canvases.

You recently relocated back to the UK.  Is there anything about the street art scene in Australia you miss, or are we somewhat lagging behind Europe and the UK

The sheer population of the UK allows for a larger volume of art, artists and exhibitions, but I do miss a small city with less CCTV cameras and easy parking.

Still early days, but I prefer the Melbourne scene as its more laid back and seems to be thriving with great art in the suburbs you wouldn't expect to see.

Ask me again in a few years

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And the 2095 will hold you to that!  Huge thanks to Fez for allowing this "international" interview courtesy of the fibre optics and we miss you already!

But we are safe in the knowledge that you are keeping a watch on the hood

5 questions with FUKT

It was during one of the first "let's push the boundaries of the known zones" (which in retrospect was pretty pathetic given that it was but a left hand turn off King Street and down a block or two) that the 2095 spied the most amazing wall.

Having not yet mastered the "to hell with it, I don't care if it is trespassing, I need this shot" skill, and still owning a teeny tiny zoom lens camera, the 2095 chick was still impressed with how her first shot turned out.

During further trips afield and having mastered the art of the photographer-whiplash, the 2095 chick at times had trouble containing her excitement at discovering new pieces by this artist.   

It is important to note that the 2095'er (99% of the time) tries very hard NOT to see her fellow street photographer's photos; but there have been times  when the "I surrender" kicked-in necessitating a private message asking for exact locales, if nothing else other than to get a shot of a masterpiece before it got buffed.

The next piece to be found was rainy Saturday afternoon post-work wander around the back streets of Camperdown. Sound the bells, dance with delight!  No cars therefore the 2095 obtained THE perfect shot!

A short bus trip later the 2095 let out an audible "oooooh!", thus causing other passengers to swivel their heads in order to see the subject but to no avail it would appear, as the 2095 alighted and at record speed shot across Broadway to a wall totally covered in stencils.

with thanks to FUKT as the 2095 for once has had 

difficulty locating her photo of this particular wall

Awe, fascination, admiration of subject matter, locations, detail and tag name leads the 2095 sharing her 5 questions with FUKT

Love the tag!  Whether people admit it or not, there are those who are liberal with its use and those (although they may deny it) who will "think" it.  How, where and what was the inspiration behind your street-name.

I seem to use the word a lot when I speak.  The name itself also dissuades the art community from trying to recruit my services etc (parasites!)

Your work can scale the size of a building through to the tiniest stencil that would go almost unnoticed by the bulk of the non-street population.

What provides the stimuli : whether it be words or extraordinary pieces as with "Best We Forget"

Good question.  I sometimes wonder what motivates my work.  When I first started I thought I had to conform to a certain style or path: big stencils & vanilla art.

It's only in the last year I feel that my work is a truthful.  eg: I'm totally cynical, so my work is a reflection of this.

I've always had strong anti-social tendencies and a history of playing the role of Devil's Advocate so when I see a proliferation (at least in my own opinion) of cute and safe street art then I can't help but react and try to do the opposite.

When you see images being posted online by photographers like myself, how does that gel with you as an artists or is it merely a case of "job done...NEXT"

Not quite sure if I qualify as an artist.  I have a backlog of about 30 stencils and another 10 sites to hit, so yes 'NEXT' would be an apt description.

Do you find our two worlds collide (ie: personal family man vs street-artist)

Vary rarely, although it can be a pain when I've been out til late and my son decides to wake at 7:00am every morning, but I usually forgive him since he's so goddamn cute!

What would be one of the more profound reactions to a piece that you have had to date

The best reaction (although may be not so profound) was when some random girl showed me her tits and she found I was the person behind the CB paste up

In terms of profound reactions, I think my own are  the most important. It's a good feeling when you see your artwork being copied in various locations around the world.

It's also amusing to realise I am more renown internationally than within my own country.

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Couldn't ask for anything more than that.  My thanks to FUKT for sharing some time and allowing reproduction of his works in this blog but most of all for keep on keeping on and making us stop, look and think