Max Zorn: Beautifying our World with Tape
A pioneer of technique and a purveyor of awe, street artist Max Zorn continues to wow the art crowd and people everywhere with his one-of-a-kind tape vignettes that are designed to be pasted on city lampposts around the world. For the past year or so, he's enriched the visual stimuli with which our world is imbued with multiple time-lapse videos of his creative process as well as his Stick Together project, which consists in sending tape artwork to people around the globe, simply in order to embellish city streets with a small sample of his work.
The Amsterdam-based artist graciously took the time to answer a few questions about himself, his art and what he enjoys kicking back on. Read on to find out more about this bona fide original...
What led you into the world of art?
I always enjoyed scribbling. When I was a kid, I used to freak my parents out by leaving daily sketches on the kitchen floor and wall. I guess not much has changed since then! I never actually decided to be an artist or studied art, but I have no problem to live as and like an artist... there are definitely worse things you could end up doing.
How would you describe your work?
My motifs are pretty classic, with a splash of film noir and nostalgia. I'm generally interested in the dynamics between people. I want to freeze a moment that initiates a story without telling too much... sort of like a screenshot from a movie that sparks the imagination but leaves enough room for you to decide where the story goes.
Why use tape?
Tape is the perfect tool to create art: it’s cheap, readily available, sticks to anything, and if you don't like where it’s going, you can simply cut it off and start over again. Besides, combined with light, it looks cool as hell.
What kind of music do you listen to?
I'm one of those people who asks friends to upload all their favourite tunes on my MP3 player without telling me anything about the songs. I would like to say it’s because I want to keep an open mind about music, but in fact, it's because I'm totally unable to remember any names, lyrics or songs that I like. OK, so let me check my iPod here to see what I have... How about Tom Waits, Black Keys, Wax Tailor, Nôze and Billie Holiday, for starters.
What's your favourite cocktail?
I like to stick (!) to the good old classics. Beer, whiskey, or a gin and tonic usually do it for me.
What are you working on now?
My Stick Together project currently takes up most of my time. I would like my artwork to eventually be found on street lamps everywhere, from Buenos Aires to Tokyo.
Check out the following website to learn more about Max and his ambitious project. You can also email him a request for one of his tape creations in order to place it on a lamppost near you.
Image by Max Zorn
