What Fuels Visual Artist, Alec Singer?
EVA JADEE: Was there a specific moment, experience, or event that made you want to do what you are doing now?
ALEC SINGER: I think what may be more accurate of where I am now is that at one point, I didn’t succeed, and I was going to give it all up, but somehow I’m still involved in the arts. My time in Los Angeles surrounding a now defunct venue called the “Cozy Castle” was crucial in my formative years though, and meeting my comrade Maxfield Smith dug me out of that grave. Once I was out of that grave, Hound & Quail’s basement gallery rehabilitated me. I experimented a lot down there. One of my favorite experiences was being a part of Ara Laylo and AJ Feducia’s “The Doctor Is In” show/happening. The Contact exhibitions from 2017-2019 with the Pu‘uhonua Society also catapulted me into higher realms of art making.
EJ: What was it like growing up in the Hawai'i art scene?
AS: Growing up in the Hawai‘i art scene, or more specifically, Honolulu art scene, began for me around 2015. I’m told the golden years are behind me, but I see it blooming all around. I grew up in the Hawai‘i skateboard scene though, specifically around Apb Skateshop. That taught me all my coping mechanisms that I employ today gratefully, and hopefully, with style.
EJ: What fuels you, or gives you inspiration for an upcoming shoot?
AS: Connecting with people and taking technical risks fuels me for projects. I’m still wondering what gives me inspiration.
EJ: Do you watch movies or listen to music to get ideas?
AS: Making a concerted effort to engulf my psyche with certain films is part of my nightly effort, although I seemingly fail drastically at points. Cinema and music that I resonate with can be like a love letter, in which I’m suddenly understood or elevated. I make mixtapes a lot to sort of score my mood, and sometimes I’m inspired by people to make them. I’ve made you a few mixtapes that’s for sure.
EJ: Do you have a muse? If so, what does he/ she or thing look like, and does your muse change for each project?
AS: The idea of a muse, for me, sits in the arena of love and time, which might have been learned. The more I grow, the deeper that pool of variety becomes. I always have a muse, but sometimes they aren’t activated, and sometimes that’s part of the process. When it does become activated though, it grows beyond my notions, which is quite exciting. My muses push me beyond myself, sometimes it’s with force ……………...hmmmmm this is weird, i’m probably making this all up.
EJ: Do you have a dream project you wish to work on?
AS: I had a project dream today that if I could elevate the working conditions of the people who are employed by waste management, aka trash and recycling, I would be happy. Most of the time my dream projects involve spending time and money with lovely people who I admire in various parts of the world, handsomely.
EJ: What is something you’d wish people to know about you?
AS: I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. They would have to pry it out of me.
EJ: When you create, is there a point that you are trying to make with your art? And are you happy if people see things from your specific point of view?
AS: I think creating things, for me, is sort of like extracting the essence of a moment, which can exist at any point in time. I’m ecstatic when people see that essence in any work I create. Gathering people together, mixing energies, that’s probably more the end goal of my installation work, which is why executing any exhibition requires tasty food and bevs.
EJ: What would you advise your younger self about where you are today?
AS: I would give my younger self a book on stoicism, and maybe tell him that the world isn’t going to end in 2012.
EJ: Do you see yourself doing this forever? Do you have an end goal in mind?
AS: Art is the quest for immortality. Every night the quest ends, and every morning it begins again.