1xRUN Thru Interview
BLNT by Eddie Colla
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale? Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you have?
Eddie Colla: The original was a 4ft x 8ft stencil piece that I did for Carpe Diem at Loakl Gallery this past March of 2014…it’s definitely a continuation of some of my themes.
1xRun: When were these pieces created and with what materials?
Eddie Colla: This incarnation of BLNT is a 3 color screen print on a cradled wood box that was just recently completed in July of 2014. The boxes are treated with an iron based reactive paint that is rusted as the final process. All the hardware on the box goes through an acid bath to create a patina.
1xRun: Anything you would like us to highlight?
Eddie Colla: Each box has a stamped brass plate with the name title and edition number on it. The plates went through a patina process as well. On the back on each box is a small note pasted that gives the piece some context. The backs also have my name burnt into the wood with a branding iron.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Eddie Colla: I had been trying to make edition that were more like objects or artifacts than like prints. After I made the original, it seems like this image would be a good candidate to to work with some different materials as an edition.
1xRun: How long did these pieces take?
Eddie Colla: There was a lot of priming, painting and drying. All the boxes were prepped for about 2 weeks before they were screen printed. They are a 2 color screen print with 2 layers of clear acrylic, then rusted for about 4 days after they were printed. The brass plates took about 2 weeks to get stamped and another few days to patina.
1xRun: What is unique about these pieces?
Eddie Colla: Each piece is different. The rusting process creates a lot of variation that is organic. It’s also the first time I used a branding iron. I also had a different brass plate stamped for each piece to include the specific edition number. It’s also the first time I included any writing as a part of an edition.
1xRun: Describe this series in one gut reaction word.
Eddie Colla: Degeneration. 
1xRun: When did you first start making art? What was your first piece?
Eddie Colla: As an infant. We all start out making art, for some reason most of us stop. My first piece was 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. Lately, I’ve been inspired by photographer Rian Dundon, and also painters John Wentz and Fin Dac.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Eddie Colla: This print was completed over a longer period than normal, so there was a Jay-Z period, followed by a Sammy Davis Jr. period and ending with a Billy Bragg period.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Any deceased artists?
Eddie Colla: Right now? Probably Zoltron. He’s just a hard motherfucker to nail down. 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. As for the last, I didn’t buy it, but I got a Jessica Hess Cocky girls piece for my birthday that is super DOPE!!!
1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Eddie Colla: I have a solo show at Ian Ross Gallery in San Francisco opening on August 21st.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Eddie Colla: Website/Shop –Blog – Facebook + Twitter + Tumblr + Flickr + Instagram @Eddie Colla
-1xRUN