1xRun Thru Interview
David Young V and Ivan Grianti
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece. Was it part of a recent series of work?
David Young V: This piece was created over about a week and a half for my most recent solo show at White Walls Gallery in San Francisco entitled ‘The New Race’. I wanted to include an element to that body of work that was very collaborative, Ivan was a part of that element.
Ivan Grianti: After we did a mural together, he brought to me this opportunity that I couldn’t avoid.
1xRun: Tell us how you two met and how you started collaborating together.
David Young V: We met in a convenience store after a show at Spoke Art in San Francisco. Ivan knew who I was from the neighborhood, so we spoke briefly. A week or so later Ivan was working on an outdoor mural on Polk Street and he invited me to collaborate on the mural with him, so I did. That’s how it began.
Ivan Grianti: Yeah, I already knew David from other people before. I’ve seen his work all around, but never had the real opportunity to meet him in person. Then I was working on a mural on Polk Street and I wanted to have someone to collaborate with. Personally, I’m really interested in other artists’ point of view or approach to painting, that’s where a whole different kind of inspiration comes from.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece?
David Young V: On my part I used pen and ink.
Ivan Grianti: For this piece I used pencil for the face and watered down ink.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
David Young V: Yes, working with Ivan has been an artistically growing experience. I enjoy the challenges that his ideas and techniques provide.
Ivan Grianti: As David said above, it’s the same thing for me. With our different styles we found a perfect balance.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
David Young V: I really wanted to work with Ivan again after we collaborated on our mural together. His work provides a smoothness and beauty that is completely different from what I do myself. To me it seems that Ivan’s artistic training in classical realism provides a completely new element to my work when we collaborate together. We had only a short time to execute the piece. So I asked Ivan to provide an image of a female face, which is a very strong point for him. Below the female face I asked him to include an image of two hands, palms open. The use of hands as communication or in prayer is an element consistent in my work. I wanted to work around Ivan’s depiction of those hands while also including elements in the piece that were distinctly him.
Ivan Grianti: I got lucky for being invited to collaborate with him again, I didn’t expected at all and was surprised. So, as soon as I knew what the theme was about, I started working on it. We really had a short time to complete it, only about a week and half, but I really enjoyed working on this piece.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
David Young V: It’s something generally foreign to what I do, and it’s also different from what Ivan is used too. I think combining our work into one piece creates something unique and beautiful.
Ivan Grianti: It was challenging in a way, but I strongly believe that it’s something really potent and direct. It delivers the message behind the show pretty clearly.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
David Young V: Because it’s outstanding.
Ivan Grianti: It’s raw and it tells you whats going on right to your face…it looks at you.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
David Young V: Enchanting.
Ivan Grianti: Mesmerizing.
1xRun: Who are some influences for both of you? Where do you feel you both cross over and differ?
David Young V: I think a lot of my influences are 20th century abstract art, urban contemporary art and comic books/science fiction. I’ve always admired classical realism throughout my life. I feel that abstract art is the furthest extension of classical realism. Graffiti, in my opinion, is something that came out of abstract expressionism. Street art is something that came out of graffiti. Somewhere in that mix I’m sure Ivan and I cross.
Ivan Grianti: I try to control my mess. Robert Rauschenberg is one of my heroes, I also love the work of Alex Kanevsky and Jenny Saville, all of these great artists influence my work. I don’t really have and want to base my influences on just one period of time or one person. Street art and the urban culture influence me as well. Graffiti, street photography and the scratched paper layers of a billboard, everything around me can be inspiration.
1xRun: What are your plans for the rest of the summer and fall ?
David Young V: More murals, loads of street art, a couple of two/three man shows, this print and maybe a vacation (if I’m lucky).
Ivan Grianti: I’m going to do some traveling and feed my eyes with some art in Europe and then come back fresh. Trying to relax as well.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
David Young V: Website – Facebook – Flickr
Ivan Grianti: Tumblr
-1xRun