Peter Suzuki Web Interview

Through the wonders of technology I bring you the Peter Suzuki Web Interview!  I got to know Peter a year ago in our last semester at The University of Hawaii.  My fondest memories with Peter consists of us and other "art-friends" having beers in the evenings in the Art Building.  This magical being is now residing in New York City and judging by the picture above, hes having a great time.  This entire interview has been coordinated through facebook and email, enjoy!


What is your full name?
Peter David Suzuki.

What are you doing in New York?
Basically the only reason that I'm out here is because my brother, sister and brother-in-law are amazing. My sister and her husband gave me two months rent at her old apartment and my brother is helping me learn my way around the city.  Hopefully I'll have enough and make enough money for two more months (my sister's lease ends ends in September).  I will be coming home for a little while because I will be having a little show at Minifest (a Chinatown bar) in October.  If I can find a good job and an affordable apartment, I may try to come back to the city after October.

What is your preferred medium?
Printmaking.

Square No. 33, Relief, 2010

Is there a common theme that runs through your work? If so, explain.
I feel that printmaking offers the ability to focus on process.  For example, sometimes one print can take over an hour to do.  This process does not include the time taken before to make the image, such as carving, etching, drawing, hammering, etc.  For me, it is the repetitive tasks of printmaking that I strangely enjoy.  So sometimes when I'm thinking of an idea, I am actually thinking of a way or process in which I can print an image, rather than the content of what that image will mean to me later.  It's like a challenge to see how hard and confusing a process I can make to push myself in printmaking.  So in that sense, process is one of my themes.  I also enjoy simplicity.  For example, I like a lot of negative space.  I think that it might just be a fad that I'm going through.  Another theme that I enjoy is memories.  There are so many different types of memories.  For example, a certain song can bring back a good or bad musical memory.  For me, it can be an extremely specific event down to the things that I saw and the feeling that I felt while I listened to a particular song.  Also, I like the idea of how scars can be like memories written on the body.  I feel that this also applies to objects.  There are memories within every dent, scratch, scuff and so on.  Some of my previous work was printing old tabletops, remote controles, books, a ski, and other things in the attempt to show a history and narrative of the object through it's "scars".

Temporary Happiness, Intaglio, 2010

What do you want people to take away when they view your work?
I would like them to leave with one of my works and less money in their pockets.  Nah, I guess I would like the person to enjoy my work and relate to it's process.  I like art that makes me think of something new.  So in that sense, it would be nice if my viewer came away with a wanting to make something creative.  However, I don't think that my art is inspirational or I don't make my art with the purpose to inspire someone.  In truth, right now I don't make my art for a certain viewer, but instead I make it for myself, the excitement of making it, and the hope that someone will enjoy or relate to what I'm making.

In your opinion, what challenges do young artists face in today's society?
I'm not really sure.  I feel very young right now and I am pretty sure that a young artist could still be someone twenty years older than me, I'm twenty four right now.  Therefore, I have a lot of time to think about this question because I really dont know.

For the Most Part I Hate Flying on Airplanes (part 2), Relief, 2011

What kind of Projects are you working on while you are in New York?
Right now I'm working on making circles from a square, a process in which I print a square block of wood multiple times, at different angles, until a circle is created.  It takes about fifteen to thirty runs though the press.  My ideal finished print for this process would result in a symmetrical circle which is created from a block carved at random.  I'm going to try to make at least eight of these while I'm here.

Rectangle No.5, Relief, 2010

Artistic Influences?
Hammering nails, ginger ale, Harper Lee, really awesome printmaking teachers and people, people, Jean Dubuffet, Don Quixote, this book that I have about the history of paper-making, family, friends, The Bourne movies, music...

Other things that inspire you?
Puffs Vick's plus lotion, audaciousness, carving tools, waterproof cameras, handmade things, dirty white shoes, Richard Serra, window plants, lists, my new little rice cooker, curvy glass bottles, The X-Files, J.D. Salinger, other people's art, good habits, sleep, radio, pockets, grad school, and being paid in cash.

Is That the Beat of the Universe?  The Devil Will Find You a Job., Intaglio, 2009

Do you still rock a mullet?
No, I cut it off to look more presentable.  I've been trying to get a job as a barista here in the city.  However, I just got a job at a t-shirt screen-printing shop and if you've ever worked in one of those then you'd know that you don't need to look presentable.  So I kind of miss my long hair.

What are your three most valued possessions?
Right now, an air conditioner, socks and my unlimited metrocard.

What would you like to be doing twenty years from now?
Sleeping earlier.

What is your favorite curse word?
"For the birds"

What are people saying over your casket?
That is a pretty nice mustache.

Yes, that is a pretty nice mustache.

20 Questions: HOPIE

In May of 2010 I was treated to an entertaining performance by a refreshing female rapper, then known as Hopie Spitshard.  I've been informed that she recently dropped the "Spitshard" from her name.  I was impressed by how this petit filipino emcee took command of the stage by standing on a chair and refusing to let the audience fall into a zombie standstill, a common occurrence in the Hawaii music scene.  Last month I was offered the opportunity to have a segment dedicated to the young and talented Hopie.  I quickly jumped on the opportunity.  This Bay Area hip-hop artist and recently graduated law student has just released her newest EP, Dulce Vita and it totally kicks ass.  This past April marked her second performance in Hawaii and her popularity is quickly growing here and in the Mainland.  The Diamond Dame and self proclaimed pot-head took time out of her busy schedule to answer my twenty questions.  Hopie is a prime example of Good Habits manifested and trust me, she still spits hard.  


1.  What is your full name?
Hello, my name is Kae Hope Ranoa, aka Hopie.

2.  Where are you from?
I was born in Manila but am from the San Francisco Bay Areaaaaaaaa....

3.  What are a few good habits that you have?
Making the music I love!

4.  When did you first become interested in making music?
I started playing instruments at 5, but I wrote my first rap at 11.  By the time I reached high school all I wanted to do was write songs and perform.

5.  What makes your music unique?
Hopie music is different from other music in that it comes from a fearless place in my heart.  I've cultivated such a unique taste in art that the art I produce is an intricate, hodge-podge blend of all the different things I love.  When I honestly tap into that pool of art is when I make music that really represents me.  Just like every person is unique, my most honest creations are unlike any art from other people.

6.  Who are your favorite artists? (visual or musical)
My favorite artists include, but are not limited to:  Jim Morrison, Gwen Stefani, Aemes, Andre 3000, Del the Funky Homosapien, 6Fingers, Wes Anderson, Alexander McQueen, Santigold and so many more.

7.  Who are you currently listening to on you ipod?
Currently on my ipod is The Weeknd.

8.  Who has influenced your music the most?
(see question 6)

9.  What is your proudest musical achievement?
My proudest musical achievement has to be my latest album, Dulce Vita, because I created it so quickly and without the help of any features, meaning I wrote the entire album on my own.  In the land of the cosign, I had to make an album where I carried the entire project on my own.  Of course, my producer 6Fingers, as well as a new production crew I worked with, called The Regulars, produced the beats, but all the lyrics, singing and rapping, came from my mind and pen.  To hear the result was indescribable.

10.  What are your thoughts on the role of women in music?
Women have such an intricate role in music, I am literally angry that there is so much underlying misogyny in hip hop.  We are the muses, the producers, the rappers, the choreographers, the fans, the audience, the dancers, the singers, the industry, the stylists, the everything, yet we rarely get our just due.  Half the songs you hear are love songs; who are these fools in love with?  Half the world are women; who is in the audience?  We are music and music is us, but my particular genre of music, which I love and have dedicated my life and soul to, treats my gender as secondary, disrespects us and keeps us in self-propelled hate...We need more women in the forefront, more visible women running this shit, and less thirsty women playing with themselves, and the rest of us, out for a couple seconds of shine and some bling.

11.  What are your thoughts on aliens?
Hahaha...switch it up to my thoughts on aliens...well...I feel like our universe is too vast for us to share it by ourselves.  There are beings on other planets, in other realms, in other dimensions and in our lives; but, whether or not they are grey, triangular-headed guys in flying saucers is a giant question mark to me.

12.  What three things would you take to a deserted island?
Three things I would take to a deserted island: a home studio, a pool table and a male companion.  Holla!

13.  Wine or beer?
Beeeeeeeer...mmmmmmmm...

14.  What is your favorite food?
I love all food, all nationalities, all kinds...Can't we all just get along???

15.  What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Three words to describe myself are: Creative, intelligent and adventurous!

16.  Can you describe your past week in one sentence?
My past week was coooooooooooooooooooooooooooool.

17.  What are your top 3 favorite movies of all time?
My top 3 favorite movie?! Ok, Ill shoot for 5, but this is not at all comprehensive:  City of God, Anchorman, Battle of Algiers, The Godfather and Kung Fu Panda.

18.  What is your favorite thing about Hawaii?
My favorite part about Hawaii has to be the atmosphere.  The second you land everything moves 80% slower and you're 100% more chill than you were on the plane.  Something about it awakens the island in me and I'm on some true fuck it...I'm an island girl at heart and a pot head at lung, so Hawaii and I are 100.

19.  What are People Saying over your casket?
When I die I want people to be talking about all the art I should have made...Even at 80 I want them to say I wasn't done putting out some brand new-new nobody else could do after I passed.  I want it to forever be before my time...

20.  Shoutouts?
Giant shout out to 6fingers!!  My little team, Snayk Eyez and Mac Drea!!!  And, Hawaii, I miss you and I love you.  Ma-holla UH, 3Rok's Mike & Brent, Creed, Tre, Kluv, Prie, Ill Hill, Prolific Unknowns, Professor Rod & his class, Miss Elyssa, the talented Rudified, Bone, Dan, In4mation, Angry Locals, Broke Mokes, the whole city of Honolulu, the whole island of Oahu and the whole muthafuckin state of Hawaii.  High in HI for life!


Want more Hopie?  Visit her Website: http://www.hopiespitshard.com/site/content/intro

The Emily Sewell Interview

I first met Emily a few semesters ago while I was studying art at the University of Hawaii.  We had never been in the same studio classes because of our different artistic focuses.  She is a fiber student and I was studying drawing and painting.  We showed work in a small show in Kailua in the Spring of 2010.  Her work in fiber shows a commitment that is rare for a young artist.  She has since won awards for her work and is now preparing for her senior BFA show.  She is a young artist to look out for in the future and definitely a person with many good habits.  I sat down with Emily in her shared studio on the third floor of the art building.  We had some coffee and chatted.  


Good Habits: Full name?
Emily Sewell:  Emily Rebecca Sewell

GH:  Where are you originally from?
ES:  I'm from Parker, Colorado and I came out here in July of 08.

GH: Do you have any good habits?
ES:  I think trying to be a good person is what I try to pursue as a habit.  Living with my heart instead of my head.

GH:  How did you first become interested in art?
ES:  Well my dad always had that influence in my life.  He was a cartoonist.  But I was never good at drawing so as a kid I never really thought of being an artist.  But in high school I started to take sculpture and ceramics a lot and my teacher had a huge influence on my life.  And it kind of let me realize that art was a way to help me to express myself.  So in high school I got into art and it just took off from there.

GH:  Can you talk about your work a little bit?
ES:  My work...I think a lot of it is personal and very intuitive of my feelings.  It's always kind of been my therapy.  It's just a way to express things because I have a problem with communication and I dont think I always properly portray what I want to say.  So I can say these things differently through art.  It's just me, it's really a part of me.

GH:  Why did you choose fiber as your primary medium?
ES:  I think it just fell into my life.  I never knew it and when I moved out here I had to late register for classes.  Fiber classes were the only ones that were open.

GH: So kind of by accident?
ES: Totally by accident!  But in high school I had made ribbons and patches and I was sewing and stuff.  But I guess I never really claimed it.  Its also very performative too...

GH:  I saw some of your performance pictures, can you talk about "performance"?
ES:  Its a way of communication for me.  Its a way I can say something.  As far as performances, they are based around nature.  It seems like its natural for me to do even if its abstracted.

One of emily's performances. Spiritual Home.

GH:  Three favorite artists.
ES:  I think Mary Babcock, she's been a huge influence on the way I see things.  I like women artists a lot.  Street artists, Swoon, I love.  She's really amazing, the things she explores.  (Turns to a friend working in the same studio) Eva, who is that artist that we love? Ja..Janine Antoni?

GH: Oh yeah, Janine Antoni.  She's great.
ES:  Yes, she's beautiful.  She is definitely one of my favorites.

GH:  What are your views on the art scene in Honolulu?
ES:  I think there is a range of younger entrepreneur artists.  I think theres a gap between that and the older group.  So hopefully theres going to be a meeting point for them.   I just hope that new things will be introduced.  Like fiber is not that out there yet.   I think its hard to get opportunities because people stay in the same position the whole time.

detail of Traveling Nomad

GH:  Can you talk about the BFA program and show?
ES:  I think it's really special because students can go with their own visions.  They are able to do what they've wanted to do for a long time but I also think that it is more challenging for students.  The students are in charge of the layout of the gallery, the lighting, the gallery sitting hours...

GH:  When is the opening of the show?
ES:  The opening is the 24th of April, Sunday.  And its running through May 18th or 19th.

GH:  What are you making for the show?
ES:  I've being working with the concept of making spiritual homes.  Its kind of like a protective place.  All of my work is based on being indulgent in the world yet still releasing your inner voice or inner light, if you want to call it that.  Its interesting because it will be in a gallery context, but its actually going to be a wearable piece, kind of like a cloak.  Something that I can be in.

Emily working on her piece for the BFA show

Detail of Emily's BFA piece

GH:  Speaking of wearable pieces, what are you wearing right now?
ES:  I'm wearing some black slip-ons that are falling apart, old jeans that I got from a boutique in Denver, and just a brown, I would say, woven top.

GH:  Are you ready for some word associations?
ES:  Please. I've been waiting for these!

GH:  Beer.
ES:  Delicious.

GH:  Pencils.
ES:  Never use them.

GH:  Vegetables.
ES:  Lettuce.

GH:  Happiness.
ES:  Always.

GH:  Charlie Sheen.
ES:  Don't want to talk about it.

GH:  Tiger blood.
ES:  Tiger blood? No

GH:  Warlocks.
ES:  Never.

GH:  Grass.
ES:  Which one?

GH: Haha. Which one. Thats an awesome answer.

GH:  Airplanes.
ES:  Grandpa.

GH:  Teapots.
ES:  With Eva in our studio.

GH:  What are people saying over your casket?
ES:  That I was always there for them.

GH:  Any last words? Shout outs?
ES:  No shout outs.  You guys are all awesome.

THE BUDO INTERVIEW

Brent Yamada, also known as Budo by his close friends, is a man of many words.  Many thoughts.  Many opinions.  He is known for his unwavering beliefs.  He is an intense fellow who is not afraid to voice his opinion or sound like an asshole. I sat down with my best friend on his lanai of his Alewa Drive home.  After a few heinekens we started talking.  Does Budo have any Good Habits? You decide.  Pardon all of the f-bombs.

Good Habits:  Full name?
Budo:  Brent Musashi Ken Yamada

GH:  Do you have any good habits?
Budo:  Nope.

GH:  I've known you for a while, describe our relationship.
Budo:  I've known you for a while, right? (clears throat)  Yup, I've known you for a while.

GH:  What are your interests?
Budo:  I have many interests depending on what time of the day it is.   My interest right now would be to finish my beer, preferably go inside and get another one before I finish this one.  I got a lot of things on my mind.

GH:  When do you plan on graduating?
Budo:  I dont know, a couple of months or something.

GH:  Your thoughts on aliens and the universe...
Budo:   Aliens rule the universe.  We live on a planet with aliens, we are all aliens.  There are aliens out there.  We are some alien's son's science project.  We are a flinger, i mean a finger, we are a finger snap of somebody's lunch break in the universe.  Okay, on the real, we were built by aliens.

GH:  Would you consider yourself a Scientologist?
Budo:  I am a Scientolo-athiest.  But if I'm getting raped by a serial killer I'm going to be praying to god and my grandpa.  I believe in reincarnation and Buddhism... so I'm a  Bu-Scien-Athiest.

GH:  Your thoughts on 9/11
Budo: Fucken conspiracy.  World Trade Center 7, you know what that is?  That fucken thing went down.   Like a demolition.  All of those things, fucken set by demolitions.

GH:  So you're saying that someone went there and set up explosives?
Budo:  The day before the attacks they took off the top cameras of The World Trade Center. Why? I do not know.  It's fucked up.

GH: Describe the relationship between you and Chad Sugimoto.
Budo:  (laughter) Me and Chad Sugimoto... we have a battle.  Okay, I'm super fucking competitive.  I am the most competitive person when it comes to shit that nobody gives a fuck about.  If I lose I'll be super mad.  I could give a rat's ass if i lose to anybody in anything, but not with Chad.  I will beat him in whatever I want.  Whatever he wants to do, I want to beat him in it.  You fucken need to interview that guy.

GH: Three favorite artists of all time.
Budo:  How did you memorize all of these questions?  My three favorite artists are: Derrick Rose, Colt Brennan and Danny Boyle.

Brent asleep after a UH football game...on my bed.

GH:  What are your thoughts on Marijuana?
Budo:  I think that that bill should go through.  The bill that says if you smoke and get caught you pay a forty dollar fine.  (stuttering)It's estima...it's esti..it's...(long pause) we can get twenty million dollars from it or something.

GH:  Your thoughts on Shoyu.
Budo:  I think it is probably one of the most important things in life.

GH:  I'm going to give you word associations...
Budo:  How many words you got?
GH:  I'm gonna freestyle the words...

GH:  Flags.
Budo:  Blueberries.

GH:  Bottles.
Budo:  Caps.

GH:  Lori. (girlfriend)
Budo:  Mission.

GH:  Porsches.
Budo:  Crazy.

GH:  Mountains.
Budo:  Crippled.

GH:  9/11
Budo: 7/11

GH:  7/11
Budo:  Christmas.

GH:  What would you want to be doing right now?
Budo:  I want to be in Italy on one of those cliffs and have my own fucken villa hanging off the cliff.   Then I feel like having a stick, connected to a wire with a blunt on it.  And I feel like holding it far away from my body and looking at it with my eyes.  The smoke that comes out of the blunt turns into a dragon.  It goes to the left and I see it coming and then it goes into my mouth.  And I'll kind of feel like Bruce Lee.

GH:  Thats seriously the best thing anyone has ever said during an interview.
Budo:  I know. Thats what I saw.

GH:  Three words to describe you.
Budo:  Comically-stern...

GH:  Is that one word?
Budo:  Fuck, I'm just making it into one word.  Haha, thats two words.  Im gonna make up my own word.  Comically-stern.

GH:  Okay, next two words...
Budo:  Moist.

GH: HAHAHAHA. Third word?
Budo: Size.

(laughing)

GH:  What are people saying over your casket?
Budo:  This fucken guy was kinda funny.


*following the interview Brent quoted the movie Almost Famous, saying to "write whatever you want".

THE DUKE INTERVIEW

Duke Morgan. What words can describe such an incredible man and friend?  He is by far one of the most interesting people I know.  If you have had the pleasure of meeting this man then you know what I mean.  And if you have not then you are about to find out.  I recently made the decision to interview Duke for a segment on Good Habits.  We met in his one room shack to chat.  Here is what happened...

GOOD HABITS: Please state your full name.

Duke Morgan:  Full name is Tyrannosaurus Rex.  Duke Morgan.

GH:  What are a few good habits that you practice?

DM:  I have many...

GH:  Your Favorite one?

DM:  Well Lately my favorite one has definitely been harvesting food.  

GH:  Can you talk a little bit more about that?

DM:  Its basically an integrated, recycling, if poho then go, vibes.  Its fricken going out into the community and selecting quality fruit from people who either dont want the fruit or who want to give the fruit away.  And we would go get the fruit.  And right now we are just enjoying it and giving it away to our family and friends.  And its epic.  But I would like to get in touch with the food bank to donate some fruit which would be going to waste otherwise.  

GH:  How have you become so interested in agriculture?

DM: I dont know.  It just seems like all of my life I've kind of got geared into taking care of your place.  What you get from it is what you put into it.

GH:  Nuts.

DM: Yeah.  Whatevers.

GH:  What did you get your degree in?

DM:  I actually just commenced my college career and its in Tropical Agriculture and Soil Sciences.

GH:  What are your thoughts on Marijuana?

DM:  A lot of people say that it is a drug but i use it as a tool.  It connects you to another realm and your neurons really start moving in a way they never jived.  And its a medicine, healing.  That sounds like a bunch of  fucken crap but...

GH: What have you done in the past week?

DM:  Perfect.  Well you got me on a good week.  I just got home from the Big Island of Hawaii.  We hiked into the fifth valley on the north shore and we cleared trail and took care of the place back there. Malamas for sure.  Its unreal.  Hunted some pigs for food.  Fucken black forrest ham bacon for every meal.  Yeah, just got roots.  

Duke's garden

GH:  Tell us about your mom's birds.

DM:  It's my mom's birds but i saw them at my aunties place, its like, she has these parrots and theres food all over their house and they grind it.  So they have different color shit.  Like when they fly around. And there this one table that she has on her desk with bird excrement on it, there were all these different shades and hues.  The way it moved on the paper and faded it out on the edges and shit.  So i wondered if I put paper in my mom's bird cage, would the shit end up collaging out?  I thought it would be funny to put the birds to work.

GH:  Hahaha.  I have no idea what you just said...

DM:  Yeah. hahaha.

GH:  What three things would you bring to a deserted island?

DM:  Oh my god.  Brah, I would have my heavy weight bolo knife, guaranteed.  I would bring my girlfriend, Ruthie girl and my bolo knife.  And......um, a lot of seeds, like a packet of seeds.

GH:  Thats a good one.  What are your three favorite basketball teams?

DM: whaaaaaaaaaat? Fuuuuuuuck. hahaha.  Roosevelt high school rough riders.

GH:  Rice or bread?

DM:  Rice.

GH:  Car or Bike?

DM: Bicycle.

GH:  Video games or television?

DM:  Television

GH:  Lord of the Rings part 1 or Lord of the Rings part 3?

DM:  Three

GH:  Bananas or apples?

DM:  Bananas.

GH:  What will people be saying over your casket?

DM:  Revolutionary......no, i dont know.  Just positive thoughts.  

GH:  Last words?

DM:  Aloha.