1xRun Thru Interview
Air Kowloon by Eddie Colla
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, when was the original created?
Eddie Colla: This piece was designed as a multiple, so there is no “Original” per se. There is a prototype piece but I’ll probably hold onto that as an AP The edition was done in Feb. 2013, and the original prototype August 2012 This character, Bike Girl, is one that I have continued to go back to over and over. It’s part of a larger story. These pieces function as vignettes from her day to day life. I am currently writing the entire story to release as a book or animated film. 
1xRun: Can you tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Eddie Colla: I was watching old videos of landings from Kai Tak Aiport in Hong Kong which closed in 1998. The planes look as if they are gonna touch the roofs in Kowloon. I wanted to incorporate some of that atmosphere into this series because it gives such a strong sense of place and that sense of place or atmosphere is very important to this series. The boxes are cradled birch and are all unique in that they are all hand collaged, painted and distressed. So they will vary quite a bit. 
The image was then printed and then applied to the box as a medium transfer. Each of the boxes are finished pieces ready to hang. That’s one of the reasons I decided to do a cradled box. Getting things framed is a pain in the ass and costly. I’m always looking out for the consumer. The print version can also be framed traditionally but they look amazing magneted to a really expensive fridge like a Northland or Sub-Zero.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Eddie Colla: The boxes took about 8 days once we started.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Eddie Colla: Although the boxes are multiples, they vary quite a bit and the content and text in each collage is completely different.
1xRun: Why should people buy one of these pieces?
Eddie Colla: After people see this on your wall they may seem unaffected, BUT on the car ride home they will speculate as to your financial success and sexual prowess.
1xRun: Describe these pieces in one gut reaction word.
Eddie Colla: Humid.
1xRun: When did you first start making art? What was your first piece?
Eddie Colla: A long long time ago. An illustrated version of the movie “Jaws” done in crayon on construction paper. My best piece to date.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on? What artists inspire you now?
Eddie Colla: I grew up in New Jersey so the first museum I ever went to was The Met. My mom took me there a couple of times when I was real little. So I was exposed to some really amazing stuff early on. I remember staring at Henri Rousseau’s The Sleeping Gypsy, for a long time. That may have been because I liked lions. Currently, this one is always hard, I always forget someone really important. Here’s a few in no specific order. Bask, Hush, Blek LeRat, Dyoung V, Shark Toof, Cryptik, Estria, Suitman, David Soukup, Brett Amory, Kid Zoom, David Choe, Homo Riot, Snik, Tank Petrol and El Mac. All for different reasons, but those are some names that come to mind currently.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work?
Eddie Colla: I think I was listening to Muse a bunch during this and Dizzee Rascal. A couple of days I had an assistant in the studio who insisted we play Hall and Oates, (sometimes you gotta take one for the team). I also share my studio so I am frequently forced to listen selections of painter Peter Adamyan.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Any deceased artist?
Eddie Colla: It would be and is D Young V. Mainly because the ladies love him and every project eventually turns into a hedonistic windfall. For the latter it would be photographer Larry Sultan, it would be fun to see him again.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it? The last?
Eddie Colla: Christmas ornaments, specifically a walnut shell that had little felt pieces glued on it to look like a mouse. I think I still have it somewhere. The last would be La Rue, a limited edition book of photographs by Sam Grant.
1xRun: It has been a little bit since your last release, bring us up to speed on what you’ve been up to?
Eddie Colla: I recently took over curating the Loakal Gallery in Oakland. I am also participating and helping organize a 30+ artist show in an empty office building for Oakland’s first friday event. Each artist will have their own room and it should be pretty amazing. A few other shows and commissions. Including A collaboration with D Young V in September. Other than that I’ll continue working with Loakal and 57-33.
1xRun: How has 2013 been shaking out so far for you?
Eddie Colla: It’s been dense. Which is good because it keeps me out of trouble. I’ve been doing more things on the curatorial side of things and organizing events which has given me a lot of perspective on how I operate as an artist. It’s been pretty challenging over all which is how I prefer things.
1xRun: Any big plans for the rest of the year?
Eddie Colla: Always, but I am also superstitious so I don’t like to talk about things too much before they happen.
1xRun: Anything you’d like to add that we may have missed?
Eddie Colla: I will never do a Star Wars “themed” piece. Period. You can quote me on that.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Eddie Colla: Website/Shop – Blog – Facebook + Twitter + Tumblr + Flickr + Instagram @Eddie Colla
-1xRUN