“DEATH”
Davide Mancini, Italy
Website: www.dart-works.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dave_dartworks
With your given theme, how did you come up with your piece? What drove your creative process?
Among the three themes (beauty, vanity, and death), I chose death because it always strangely fascinated me, especially its representation throughout the centuries. So, my piece is inspired by some allegorical themes and ancient inscriptions such as “Death upon a pale horse” and ”The Raven” by Dorè, as well as various classical statues. For the narcissistic woman, Mucha and art nouveau played an important role. I searched and collected several images to study costumes and icons, then tried to balance and mix the darkness of the concept with the beauty of art nouveau. From there, my own vision developed as my pencil and ink were put to paper.
Have you worked on a group theme or collaboration before this series, and what drew you to collaborate for this particular series with these artists?
This is the second time I have worked with a group of artists. Some months ago I was involved in the third edition of “Thick as Thieves” which is curated by Santos (from Seattle); the collaborative effort will be released soon. The purpose of that series was for each artist to reinterpret their favorite album cover. At the moment I can’t reveal what’s my cover, but it’s been very exciting for me to work with artists like Santos, Adrian Covenant, Brian Mercer, Jason Wagoner, Jasper Infested Art and Ryan Kasparian. I hope that collaborations of this kind can be repeated in future!
Some months ago, Jasmine asked me if I was interested in an artistic collaboration with her and Stevie to create a triptych about the legend of Naricissus (Vanity). Obviously, I immediately agreed since I already knew and appreciate their works and I love Greek mythology. The idea to mix our individual styles to review an ancient legend simply fascinated me. I love to see different, personal artistic interpretation on a specific story through illustrations, films, etc. I think it gives new life to the story, enriching the imagination even more.
What was the most challenging part of your piece, and how did you overcome it?
Initially, the woman was sitting on tree roots but this gave me some problems in balancing the composition. I decided to draw her sitting on a stone framed by some grass and deadwoods which I think was the best solution; it makes the image more detailed and compact this way.
What record would you play to demonstrate (1) beauty, (2) vanity, and (3) death?
Beauty: “The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place,” by Explosions in the Sky
Vanity: “Immersion,” by Pendulum
Death: “Solve et Coagula,” by The Secret
Being a contributing artist to the greater metal community, what is your local art and metal scene like and what local artists/bands would you recommend?
Unfortunately the small city where I live has only a few bands that play metal: my band, Remains In A View and another called No More Fear (whose latest album artwork I created). There isn’t a real metal scene aside from that. As for art, one of my favourite artists in my area is Mad, a friend who uses old pieces of iron to create sculptures and another young, talented cartoonist/illustrator known as Fibroma.
“BEAUTY”
Jas Helena, Long Beach
Website: http://jashelena.tumblr.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jas_helena
With your given theme, how did you come up with your piece? What drove your creative process?
With this piece, I had the theme of “Beauty.” I didn’t want to do the first thing that would come to mind when you think of someone or something being beautiful. I decided to create an image of a ritual where three girls are wanting to become beautiful, and were willing to give up their souls in doing so.
Have you worked on a group theme or collaboration before this series, and what drew you to collaborate for this particular series with these artists?
This entire art show has been my first shot at any sort of collaborations, I wanted to see an art show where everyone was involved with each other and created their pieces for the event. Specifically, what drew me to Stevie, Davide, and Bryan was that we all share common interest while living on completely different ends of each other. Plus, we all have a different approach and style to our artwork which is what I sought most.
What was the most challenging part of your piece, and how did you overcome it?
The hardest part wasn’t exactly an element to my piece, I like to work more loosely and imperfect; I work with whatever goes wrong most often. Also, I am the newest artist of the collaborators and have been putting my work out for almost a year now (starting to post publicly at 21 years old); it was more just intimidating to work with such great artists!
What record would you play to demonstrate (1) beauty, (2) vanity, and (3) death?
For Beauty,I think of Pallbearer “Sorrow & Extinction”
Vanity, Burning Witch “Crippled Lucifer”
And Death, Indian, “Guiltless”
Being a contributing artist to the greater metal community, what is your local art and metal scene like and what local artists/bands would you recommend?
In L.A., the metal scene has been expanding more and more the past few years, I’ve been side-by-side with my boyfriend who created Ear/Splitters (now morphing into Midnite Collective) and most shows we see familiar faces and bands. The friends we have made over the past years of shows has gone hand-in-hand with the constant growth of the scene, almost like an extended family. Recently, I saw a band called Murk Rider who have a really appealing and aesthetic stage setup to accompany their great sound. And, of course, to anyone who hasn’t heard of Destroy Judas you should give them a listen. Local artists, I can’t think of anyone better than Laurie Lipton. She doesn’t exactly work with metal bands but her work has a lot of imagery depicting death and neurotic behaviors that coincide with metal themes.
“VANITY”
Stevie Floyd, Portland, Oregon
With your given theme, how did you come up with your piece? What drove your creative process?
Transcending vanity through meditation and consciousness.
Have you worked on a group theme or collaboration before this series, and what drew you to collaborate for this particular series with these artists?
Yes. It’s inspiring to create art with others…and open your own mind through their interpretations. There is no beauty in vanity…only death.
What was the most challenging part of your piece, and how did you overcome it?
…Putting the word “Vanity” on it. I always think art should speak for itself and be left in the eyes of the beholder to understand. I was just going to put the word tiny and lost in the corner….but the boldness of it being big and the only blood red in the painting made it take on a whole new meaning. And I wouldn’t have chosen that on my own.
What record would you play to demonstrate (1) beauty, (2) vanity, and (3) death?
Beauty- Lurker of Chalice
Vanity- All pop music
Death- …umm…DEATH!
Being a contributing artist to the greater metal community, what is your local art and metal scene like and what local artists/bands would you recommend?
Portland is deeply rich with music and art. Portland creates it on its own. One of my favorite artists David D’Andrea dwells here. As far as music…Dead Moon, The Body, Leviathan, Knelt Rote, Ritual Necromancy, Shadow of the Torturer, Tragedy, Negative Queen, Thrones, Yob, Graves at Sea, Atriarch, Aerial Ruin, Rabbits, Bastard Feast, Transient…so many
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