Chemistry 101 Interview

Name: Chemistry 101
Hometown: Joburg / Cape Town
Favourite colour: underpaid designer yellow

What was your inspiration or the idea behind your Verb design?

The verb “travel” is very multifaceted, it can be used as two types of verbs, a noun and an adjective. As a verb, travel can be used in multiple instances to describe numerous actions. After returning from a spell in the Czech Republic members of Chemistry 101 were inspired by broadening their horizons and discovering new places.

Could you briefly explain the process you went through in creating this work?

This screen printed skateboard deck, t-shirt and poster was one of Chemistry 101’s first projects and certainly one of the most interesting. Matt Edwards, based in Joburg, oversaw the project, while Lauren van Aswegen was based in Prague, handling all the original sketches. After the vector stage was completed the artwork was handed over to Philip Erasmus down in Cape Town for the final touches. In all the artwork probably traveled 9303.9km x 6 + 1600km x 4 = 62818km on the information highway. Aptly titled “Travel” the project proved to be a very interesting experiment with an even more interesting result.

What music were you listening to while you were creating your graphics for the Verb range?

Passion Pit, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Rue Royale, The xx.

Did you have any formal art education, or are you self-taught?

Matt Edwards is self-taught, Lauren van Aswegen has a BA in Communications Management specialising in Creative Brand Communication.


What sort of full-time work do you do currently? Are there any other projects you’re involved with at the moment?

We both currently work as Art Directors at Ad Agencies, Lauren is on her way back to Prague for a stint with Leagas Delaney, in this time we are planning numerous photographic projects focusing on our linear day to day life and the differences and intricacy’s between life in Czech Republic and life in Joburg.

What sorts of mediums do you work in and what do you enjoy about it?

We like screen prints, photography, ceramics and furniture.

Do you do anything else for fun other than making art?

Eat and make out.

Who are some of the artist’s whose work you enjoy or take inspiration from?

Am I Collective, Avant Car Garde, Doktor and Misses, Liam Mooney, Liam Lynch, Zander Bloem, Miss Moss, Alexandre Farto, James Martin, Kultivar, Disturbance Design, Rob and Barry van Dijck and a whole lot more.

How do you feel about being an artist living and working in South Africa?

Pretty good.

Do you have any plans for 2010 such as art shows, travels or new styles to explore?


Our three month long project entitled “Ninety” will begin on 15 January, this will primarily be a photographic project but will also include some creative writing. It will focus on the lives of two people, one living in Prague and one living in Joburg. On completion of the projects the best photos and stories will then be included in a hard cover book which will be launched at a small informal exhibition mid next year. Other than that Chemistry101 also want to start focusing on industrial design and home ware items.

Do you have any websites or blogs that people interested in your work should check out?

www.chemistry101.co.za/blog/
www.laurenva.com

Categorised in: News

This post was written by weareverb