Exclusive Interview: Artist Olly Moss And His Top Secret ‘Paper Cuts’ Exhibit
By Germain Lussier/May 9, 2011 8:00 am EST
Moss was at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles this weekend to premiere his first solo art show, an event which had been shrouded in secrecy for months. Fans began lining up 24 hours beforehand to have a chance to snag a Moss original and as the opening drew closer speculation ran rampant. What would fans see when the doors finally opened? The answer ended up being not only incredibly brave and exciting, but a reminder that pop culture art is still, actually, art. Titled Paper Cuts, the show featured 300 laser cut, black Victorian silhouettes of pretty much every pop culture character you can think of from movies, television, comics and video games.
Moss exclusively spoke to /Film about his surprising show minutes before the doors opened. We discussed the concept, his rise to fame, favorite art, and the time his computer crashed trying to buy his own print from Mondo. After the jump, read the full interview, see photos from the show, the process and more.
First up, here’s a SMALL sampling of the art Moss did in the show as well as some process shots. Each piece was drawn, then laser cut, mounted and framed. Mouse over each for the title of the piece because they’re almost as surprising as the art. The interview is below.
/Film: How did you come up with the idea for this show?
And why did you decide to be so secretive about it? People who’ve been outside for 24 hours have no idea what to expect when the door opens.
What are some of your favorite pieces in the show?
That’s so cool that you’re keeping some of your own pieces.
You’ve become so popular so fast, what’s it been like to have this happen, to have people wait 24 hours just to see some of your art?
I know myself, the people outside and the people who read our site got into it because you’re doing art about the stuff we love. Was it just because you’re such of fan of that that you choose this route as opposed to a more traditional kind of art?
We know about your t-shirts but art wise you got started with the Locke print, a Saul Bass inspired minimalist thing. Now, so many people online are doing the minimalist thing that’s its kind of become a joke. How do you keep yourself fresh and innovative?
This exhibit is so different from the usually pop culture gallery shows where there might be a theme but to see so many pieces that look similar, you’ve achieved what you want to. It’s going to knock people on their ass
No, trust me, they’re going to like it, and you’ll find out in about a half hour.
What’s great about your stuff and what everyone loves is that, at first glimpse, it’s simple. But it’s only simple because it’s an idea that obviously took a long time to get there. How much time do you spend on figuring out an idea for a piece versus actually making them?
So what about this show?
What’s the longest that you’ve ever spent creating a big poster or a big print?
What about Locke’s Secret? Most people know you from that and the Star Wars.
What is your favorite?
You’ve sort of become, no pun intended, the poster child for…
You’re absolutely right, it’s right here on my paper, you caught me. But you, Tyler Stout, Ken Taylor and others are sort of leading this movement that Jensen [Karp at Gallery 1988] and Justin [Ishmael at Mondo] are spearheading of pop culture art. Do you think this has legs or does it have a shelf life? Because it seems to have exploded out of nowhere.
I guess almost everything is in this particular show but what are some of properties that you haven’t really had a chance to work with yet?
And you’re not Tyler who just throws everything onto a poster.
That was my next question, what kind of pop culture art from other artists or things do you own that you cherish?
People are going to love to hear that.
How do you determine the size of the prints you do? Is it determined by the company? Because you usually work in 18 x 24 and…
[EDITOR’S NOTE: A 16 x 24 looks great in a 18 x 24 frame, just throw some black construction paper behind it. Great interviews and craft tips, only on /Film. Back to Olly.]
What about the run?
What’s cooler for you? To see someone wearing your t-shirt or to get a Twitpic of someone who has your poster in a great frame?
Has your popularity added more pressure when you approach a project?
Are there any negatives? I mean obviously it makes you strive to be better.
Paper Cuts, Olly Moss’s solo art show remains open at Gallery 1998, 7020 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA through May 20. Visit www.nineteeneightyeight.com for more information. For more photos of the show from Moss himself, click here.
