Interview with Cusco Rebel
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Cusco Rebel, 40, is a mutlidisciplinary self-taught artist. The skate and street cuture are very present in his work searching as references elements that refer to this essentially urban universe. Cusco Rebel is currently Art Director and producer at Mundo.ag, he also teaches two courses related to creativity in Perestroika (SP / RJ / RS) school. He works with various techniques such as: spray paint and acrylic paint, stencil, collage... He has already done work for various clients such as Toddy, Sprite, Converse, Passport, Wanton, Pepsi, among others.
Hi Cusco, today MoW selected of your artworks inspired by music. Can you tell MoW why you chose those music artists ? What was the music behind the artworks ? What inspired you to create them ?
The Ramones and Black Sabbath were part of the best times of my youth and were the soundtracks of many laps of skating and lots of fun. Today, being forty years old, listening to these songs make me still young and willing, Forever Young!
The artworks of Amy Winehouse and Jimi Hendrix were made in a bar here in São Paulo called Skull and are more commercial, but I really like the two musicians too.
When drawing on The Ramones, helps me a lot to hear them. Especially the live albums like "It's Alive" and "Loco Live". Likewise when I hear Black Sabbath with Ozzy on vocals, both move me. Studies which are all seeking to soul and identity, seeking details that help identify these personalities in one body, which are the skulls. Thus there are no ugly and beautiful, black or white, just what differentiates them are the style and attitude.
Why is music important to you and your art?
Music is one of the factors that most help a man create, get inspired, and I use it to my advantage. Music makes me tune into the art and forget the problems that are part of the daily life. It frees us to assemble a soundtrack for that moment.
If you had to choose between the artworks presented today, which of your artwork would be your favorite ? And why ?
I think Ramone (on the left), it has a simple design, more childlike. I like children's drawings, free and loose strokes!
Can you tell MoW more about the techniques you used. How old is your technique? How did it start? How long does it take you to make an artwork?
I love stencil, collage, assemblage, drawing and painting. I'm multidisciplinary. I can not stay long using the same technique. Just till I want to learn another one! I like to paint with my finger too! I quickly develop it as a job, because I like to enjoy the thrill that I'm feeling right now! If it takes me a long time, I end up changing ideas! Normally I get involved around 8 hours in a work.
When I started skating I lived in a town in the interior of Brazil, and in the South there were no skate shops at that time. As I liked to draw so much, my alternative was to start creating what didn't exist. I started painting shirts, skateboard decks, ramps... It made me always try to support new art, and I loved it! Not like conventional media.
Do you have plans on creating new artworks inspired by music ?
Yes, I enjoy it so much!
Do you listen to music when you’re working ? If so, what kind of music ?
Yes! Even if I'm not listening directly to music, some music is always in my head! But I'm usually listening to it, it helps me concentrate better and leaves the most pleasant moments. In addition to the bands I used to listen when I was young like the Ramones, Black Sabbath, Faith No More, Pearl Jam, I have listened to a lot of old Jamaican reggae, as Clint Fearon, Gladiators, The Congos, ... I have also enjoyed some dj's like Nightmares On Wax, XXYYXX and Breakbot.
What is the song you liked the most lately? The album ? What was the last gig you went to ?
I think "Fisherman" by The Congos, I'm not sure why, but this song makes me feel good!
The show of The Congos is very good, they are very excited, although they already had a good time on the road, just started playing before I was born!
Are you a musician yourself ? If so can you tell MoW more about your music projects?
I have several string instruments, percussions.... I love buying instruments thinking I'll learn to play them, but I just do not evolve much in learning, I just play more or less everything. When I was about 17 I was lead singer in a band called Devastor playing some songs and covers of Sepultura, Bilge Rats, Ramones, Exploited. I want to sing again and am gathering with some friends to rehearse. The idea is that the songs emerge in time, we jam, just for fun.
Find out more about Cusco Rebel here :
