Short Interview With EYE ONE of Seeking Heaven

This was a quick interview EYE ONE of the Seeking Heaven crew was kind enough to bless us with for J.U.i.C.E.’s (Justice By Uniting In Creative Energy) 1st-ever ‘zine.  I really wanted to make this happen due to the fact that Eye was the creator, publisher, driving force behind LA’s own indelible ‘zine Lost, so who better to have an appearance in our 1st issue?

Eyer is constantly showing, doing live art events in Los Angeles, and around the world for that matter.  For more info and updates about him and the Seeking Heaven crew, and their projects go here.

If you get lucky enough and there are any copies left out of the run of 2,000, you might be able to find Lost – Ten Years (a collection of 10 years of Lost mag) at locations like Bombing Science (Canada + web), Colette (France), Hennessey + Ingalls (L.A.), Meltdown (L.A.), Routes (L.A.), Skylight Books (L.A.), Tradition (Westlake Village), Turntable Lab (N.Y./L.A. + web), and also through his site linked above.

Exported to Los Angeles at the age of 6 from Mexico City. Moved around quite a bit, surviving 7 public schools in 11 years. Attended UCLA after that and received a B.A. in Literature and an M.F.A. in Design | Media Arts.

Received the printmaking, painting, and toy-collecting gene from Mom, the writing, photographing, and music-accumulating gene from Dad, and the exploring gene from Grandma. Reading gene came from all three.

Got the graphic design bug from making flyers for all kinds of things: straight edge, hardcore, and punk shows; latin-american music concerts and film festivals; political movements and causes; and underground hip-hop happenings.

Caught the graffiti itch from seeing the tags of Mandoe and Neo MAK in my neighborhood and a silver by Krenz aka Yem AM7 on the way to school with my friends Modem and Gloze 54. Inspired and motivated by my comrades in Seeking Heaven.

Have been making the ‘zine Lost | Graffiti in the City of Angels since 1998. Had some stuff published in the books Graffiti World (2004) and Graffiti L.A. (2007). Worked with seminal L.A.-based magazines Big Time and Rime and art directed URB for a bit.

Q: This being J.U.i.C.E.’s first ever ‘zine, we wanted to reach out to you.  When did you start the Lost ‘zine, and why?

A: I started Lost in 1998 as a way to document graffiti in L.A. through visuals and words. I was inspired to put it out any means necessary, inspired by the many photocopied zines I came across while being involved in the Southern California punk and hardcore scenes.

Q: Besides having works in all kinds of galleries wordwide and being asked to do live art at all kinds of events, has publishing Lost opened any other doors for you?

A: Lost led to a stint as art director of URB Magazine and creative director with Toyota/Scion’s art initiatives. It also was the basis of my Masters thesis at UCLA and has garnered acclaim in many culture, arts, and design publications.  Lost is also instrumental for presenting my photography, art, graphic design, and writing. It contributed to my getting hired for my current position as a graphic designer for the City of Los Angeles.

Q: Many of your photos in Lost are of incredible artwork in places many people would find undesirable and most wouldn’t travel to.  What is the idea behind that?

A: I like seeing artwork outside of ‘traditional’ institutions; art is everywhere. As far as the locations I document, that comes from a drive to explore as much of my environment. I enjoy finding creativity arising in the harshest environments, and even these places have a inherent beauty that I appreciate.

Q: Do you see yourself as a LA graf historian/documenter, or are collecting the photos and publishing Lost just part of a passion for witnessing the artwork of this city and sharing it with people?

A: I can see myself as a documentarian perhaps, but not necessarily with the weight and authority the title of historian suggests. I document from my own subjective experience, and that is one tiny fragment of Los Angeles graffiti.

And of course, I am passionate about this artform, as a documentarian and practitioner, and try to share what I do with those interested and willing to look.

Q: So, when are you coming to J.U.i.C.E.?

A: Let’s set up a talk/audio-visual presentation, and/or some live painting action at JUICE, I’m game!