“Dirty Land” is an experimental contemporary pop culture exhibition.
Through mixed media posters, adult content and known disney characters, Vokos awakens curiosity by the viewer. What was Walt Disney all about? Vokos was curious about what happened in Walt Disneys mind.

After reading many lectures about Walt Disneys secret messages in his classical movies, Vokos wanted to show what could be behind an adult mind.

“I want you to find it fun! I did it with no morbid intentions.”

A while ago I meet Gustavo in Oslo, and after talking to him about art, design and illustration i knew we needed to work together on something. I had seen some of his awesome collages and wanted to exhibit some of his work. Then came “Dirty Land”.

Vokos, Can you tell us about the process and work behind “dirty land”?
I was curious about what was hidden in Walt Disneys mind and wanted to find out the truth behind his works.

After watching some videos and read about Walt Disney I felt this was a man who suffered in his childhood and wanted to make a perfect world when he grew up.

It is said that Walt Disney has hidden secret messages in his drawings and movies. And very sexual content behind a mask of a perfect world created for children’s pass. While watching that and knowing that the observers were children and would never receive that content. It is said that he had a disturbed mind like that, always wanted to escape somehow and got a little relief with the secrecy of their messages. This was the starting point for ”Dirty land”.

My idea was to simply imagine that he was more free, and show off everything directly without taboos or nothing to hide. So were the posters born, each with a different theme without being morbid, just the opposite, I wanted to be funny.

What would you think Walt Disney would have said if he saw your work?
Hahaha! All I want is to see him laugh when seeing the posters, and suddenly hear him say: “Hueber vidido” ( I wish i could live in present time), it would have been easier to draw without secrets.

What type of reaction do you expect from the viewer?
I want you to find it fun! I did it with no morbid intentions.I would love it if any person can feel good hanging it in their home, office or passing it in the street. I think it will become a social object that could bring a droll conversation.

So when do you find yourself being most creative?
Honestly most of the day I have ideas turning in my head, so if I’m thinking of an idea, I carry it with me anywhere I go. This really helps me because I can get inspired with anything i bump in too.
I think that it has its own process of digestion, waking up with it, sleep with it. There comes a point where it leaves me.

If I were to choose a time of day when I’m being most creative, I would choose night. That’s when I’m alone and everything is calmer.

Do you got any artists / designers / illustrators that you admire? That inspires you?
There are many favorites, but if i have to choose i look for those who can communicate in the best way.
If we were to talk about Norwegians, I love the work from Yokoland. I would love to do job with them some time. My other favourites are Stefan Sagmeister at Hort Studio. Also Deutsche und Japaner and many more!

What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m in a changing time in my life where I’m about to leave the Advertising Agency where I have worked for the last 12 years. I’m very tired of advertising.

I was more happy when I did my side projects which didn’t have to get approval by anyone else. Now I won’t have to try to escape with my mind all the time.

Agora opened a great opportunity for me. I was invited to be a director of a production company here in Sao Paulo, Simepre Quize. To work with video and film, and I think it’s a great opportunity, to start from scratch once again.

www.bockos.com

Empty Frame presents “Visceral” an sales exhibition by Sergio Haisch.

Sergio Haisch was born in La Paz, Bolivia 31 years ago; where, while studying media and communication, works as a reportage journalist. He moves to Norway in late 2003 and five years later he starts studying Graphic Design at Westerdals School of Communication. After finishing the regular two year study, he becomes part of the student-driven design agency Studio 3 . Thereafter starts freelancing and come to work with several different clients and projects, both as a graphic designer as an illustrator. As part of his work he’s designed children’s backpacks, illustrated longboards, drawn comic strips and story boards, design posters, made visual profiles, and done packaging design.

Early in 2012 he works on more regular bases within advertising and graphic design with Pocket & Comms and then Holidesign. He currently lives in Oslo.

Tell us about yourself / What makes you tick?

Like most children I drew a lot when I was a kid, I’m just one of those that didn’t stop. As I grew up I started exploring new techniques and materials, and so became a self-taught artist and illustrator. I am a professional graphic designer, drummer, horror film aficionado, avid reader, husband and father of a clever little girl.

What makes motivates/inspires/activates me is art and illustration itself, seeing other people’s work is a big motivation to produce my own.

Often is just the inner need to get things on paper, not necessarily a need to express myself through visuals, but the need of working on something visual. For me the process of working with something is often more rewarding than the final product itself.

Watching people and seeing their reactions to daily situations is also a big source for ideas. Music, films and books follow close behind.

You got a range of styles, but what do you prefer to work with? type of medium and tools?

Depends on the job really, but I prefer analog work. The physical contact with the different materials make it a lot more personal, a lot more intimate.

I usually like working with a range of different materials. My favorite is oil and/or acrylic on canvas or board, although lately If gained a new passion for ink on paper. My tools are pencils, brushes and spatulas. When I work digitally my tools of choice are Adobe Illustrator, photoshop and a Large Wacom Intuos 4

Has your work as a graphic designer effected your styles as a fine art artist?

Definitely, it has broaden my style of illustration, tool usage and better my perception of composition. It has also provided me a lot more experience to work digitally

Whats your goal with your fine art work?

To make it a significant part of my professional work. Later on perhaps turn it into my professional work.

When do you find yourself being most creative?

When I’m either very focussed or not at all: Through a process of connecting and reflecting ideas, or just by “spontaneous combustion”

Do you ever have creative slumps? What do you do then?

If its something framed by a deadline I start with a blank page and just start doodling to get myself back on track. I also take one idea and try think of combinations that will lead to more and bigger ideas. Sometimes it helps to just take the time to look around doing something completely different, going out, watching a film, etc.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Definitely more work; work in bigger scale and smaller, work with different materials. Hopefully more of a blend between art and graphic design.

sergiohaisch.no

You will of course find selected work here @ emptyframe.org

If you are interested in buying a artwork please send us a mail: post(at)emptyframe.org

Oslo event
17. October – 19:00 @ Cafeteateret. Exhibition opening is followed by Art Talks.
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/425438824181674/
Gallery openings: tuesday-friday from kl.14 – 23.00 and saturday, sunday 10-17.
Exhibition ends 14.Nov

Trondheim event
20. October – 14:00 @ GONG.
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/419273861467743/
Exhibition ends 20.Nov

ARTISTS:
Yokoland \ Grandpeople \ YourFriends \ Bendik Kaltenborn \ Børge Bredenbekk \ Kristian Hammerstad \ Esra Røise \ Oh Yeah Studio \ Robin Snasen Rengård \ Terje Tønnessen \ Hanne Berkaak \ Peter-John de Viliers \ Bureau Bruneau \ Uglylogo \ Daniel Brokstad \ Kristine Vintervold \ Eivind Vetlesen \ Camilla Hoholm\ Jonas Bødtker \ Ole Fredrik Hvidsten \ Mattis Folkestad \ Kim Erlandsen \ Rashid Akrim \ Stig Andersen \ Mustasj \ Tonje Thilesen \ Andreas Kleiberg \ Apparatet \ Sandra Blikås \ Magnus Holder Bjørk \ Jan Ove Iversen \ Live Schille \ Ståle Gerhardsen \ Aasmund Reitan Hegglid \ Jens K Styve \ Remi Juliebø \ Skurktur

Images form exhibition i Oslo and Trondheim:
You will find more images her

12 V.A.B – BSPERTUKLK, PTRLEKSKBU, RBPUSKEKTL, UPRKLESBKT, TKBKPRUSLE, URKKTLBESP, TURBKKSLPE, TRUPKBELKS, RPUEBSLKKT, UTKBEPKSLA, KURKLBEPST, ETBKRPUSKL is the name of this exhibition. And the texts is twelve variations of the Norwegian word “blekksprut”, wich means ink drop.

The concept and idea for this exhibition begins with a single ink drop. But after a few processes, the ink drops has been shaped into mysterious faces. David Stenmarck `s twelve figurative pieces takes you into a dream world.

David Stenmarck is currently working as freelance illustrator, as well as he establishes himself in the art world. He has a degree in visual communication at the University of South Australia, with a major in illustration. Through his background in the illustration collective Bensinstasjon, he was able to shape and develop his own expression.
He has worked on everything from advertising to art projects. David has won awards in Gullblyanten and Visuelt together with Eivind Fonnaas Nilsen. His latest exhibtions are as followed: 2012 HK&V, Festivalkunstner; Water music festival slemmestad / 2011 Havnehagan køl & vedbodlag (HK&V), Bærum kulturhus / 2011 Collaborism “Kunst på vandring”, Akershus kunstsenter.

We are happy to present this exhibition by David Stenmarck, and are looking forward to follow his art in the future. Get your signed limited edition art prints here

Q&A
How did you get started as an illustrator?

Drawing has in one way or another always been a part of my life, it felt natural to try to make it a living.

Has your past as a graffiti artist influenced your work? and how?
I guess my interest in characters combined with looking at graffiti art has an influence on my style. I also love drawing big and painting big, but I´m not sure if that´s a consequence of the graffiti interest or the opposite.

What do you think of the graffiti scene in Norway / Oslo today?
There are a lot of great artists out there, can´t say I relate too much to the scene. Even though I enjoy it, I rarely paint walls anymore.

“I often feel that the random details that come natural from making a mistake are the ones that turn out the best.”

I’ve seen some of your detailed artwork, and they are beautiful. How is your whole process in such detailed artwork? do you have a plan?
Most of my visuals are based on concepts or certain mediums I try to learn, and some styles feel more natural to involve details. As an illustrator I have to work as a communicator between the concept and the target audience, but as an artist I can take more freedom in the process, and I often feel that the random details that come natural from making a mistake are the ones that turn out the best.

Do you ever have creative slumps? What do you do then?
Everything else but draw.

What is the best/ most fun part of being an illustrator?
When I wake up in the morning I can sit back and enjoy the fact that today all I have to do is draw/doodle and think about drawing, plus my office and work hours are great!

That sounds nice, but what is the worst or most difficult part of being an illustrator?
The administration of my own company, I´m not too fond of paperwork.

Do you have any artists/designers/illustrators you admire, that inspires you?
Way to many to mention. Some inspire me to progress my ideas, others inspire to work harder and become better at craftsmanship.

David Stenmark

Empty Frame presents “The Prince of Narcissism” an exhibition by Jon Arne Berg / Jab, a young, creative, talented graphic designer and illustrator from Oslo, Norway.

He is just finishing his bachelor degree in Visual Communication at the Art Academy in Oslo, and is a fresh input to the design industry. He loves to draw, and always carries a couple of sketchbooks in his backpack.

With the exhibition “The Prince of Narcissism” Jab shows how he developed his style through self-portraits over the last few years. He has a playful pencil line and is constantly trying to explore new styles. All portraits are unique and have a story – They reflect a state of mind or a situation in a fascinating way.

I am impressed with Jab´s work and I want to find out more about him, so we had a chat.
When did you realise that you wanted to work in the field of graphic design?
I’ve loved drawing for as long as I can remember. All my note books from school are filled with small sketches around the actual school work. And I always wrapped my reading books in plain brown paper so I could use it as another little sketch pad. My initial dream was to become a comic book creator. I made small comics with short stories inspired by Beetle Bailey, Hägar the Horrible and Sherman’s Lagoon.

But I think it was around the time when I had to decide which high school I wanted to apply to I realised what I wanted to do with my life. I guess I was 15 years old. I had started skating (rollerblading) a year before, making little edits with my crew called Crewscontrol (yes, we were that cool). I remember I made a crew logo that looked horrible, but I really digged it at the time.
So I was as happy as can be when I realised there was a school where I could do the things I loved to do and hopefully learn even more!

“I’ve loved drawing for as long as I can remember”

I have seen lots of your stuff online, and I love your type work. Will there be more type experiments in the future?
Definitely, yes. I’m in the middle of learning Fontographer now, so I’m working on my first writeable font ever.
I enjoy drawing letters, and I enjoy working with type in general. It’s a relatively new-found love that emerged after I started my graphic design education at Westerdals here in Oslo almost five years ago. Even though it doesn’t come as natural for me as drawing and illustration does, it has become a big part of my life that I truly love.

After talking to a friend of yours I got the impression that you are extremely productive. Do you work when others sleep? Or do you go on for a few extra hours in a day?
 I try to always complete my projects some time before deadline, so I don’t need to have that horrible feeling of pressure laying over me. But I guess it all depends on what I’m working on. I can have one project going that I have to do, and at the same time I can start one or two other things that I don’t really need to finish or even start at that time. But if it’s something I really want to do I find the time for it and prefer working on this rather than meeting friends or getting a full night’s sleep.
I’ve always enjoyed my own company, maybe that’s why I don’t mind skipping out on the social part of life from time to time to work on my projects.

So when do you find yourself being most creative?
When I have a delicious, green apple, a big mug of coffee, an Egon Schiele book, my little Moleskine book, a bigger sketchbook, colored pencils (which makes even the dullest doodles more exciting!) and somewhere to sit with a nice view.

Lately, that has been happening quite often!

Will you continue to draw self portraits? If so, why?
Of course I will. That’s what I do when I don’t know what to draw, but still feel the need to do it. It’s not like I’ll never have the problem again after this exhibition. It’s a way for me to relax and not think about the end result of a sketch or drawing.

If you could draw yourself as a superhero, what kind of superpowers would you have? And what would you look like?
I don’t think I’ll ever draw myself as a superhero. If so it would be a superhero with normal clothes and a lanky body. So a normal self portrait.

Do you have any artists/designers/illustrators you admire, that inspires you?
My number one source of inspiration is Egon Schiele – an Austrian painter that sadly died at the age of 28 in 1918. His confident pencil and ruthless portraits never stops fascinating me.

Lars Fiske and Steffen Kverneland are two Norwegian illustrators that really captured my interest through the Kanon series. Their totally different styles are connected in a perfect harmony through these publications.
There are loads of other people I admire and look up to, but too many to mention here.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
A lot, I hope. It’s difficult to say what, but one of the things I really want to do is to make some sort of comic book/graphic novel. All in all, I think the future will be awesome.

jonarneberg.no

Empty Frame: Jon Arne Berg from Jonas Bødtker on Vimeo.

Empty Frame presents “The Prince of Narcissism” an exhibition by Jon Arne Berg / Jab, a young, creative, talented graphic designer and illustrator from Oslo, Norway.
Jab’s porfolio: http://jonarneberg.no
Twitter: @jonarneberg
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http://emptyframe.org

Twitter: @ThatEmptyFrame
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Empty Frame presents A legend in the design industry. He is a collector, image maker, award-winning typographer, designer,
art director, lecturer, street artist, scrabble fiend and Mr. Bean look alike. And he lives and work in Sydney, Australia. His name is Mr.Edwards.

He creates Iconic retro images with a Pop Art feel, combining found images and type with his odd sense of humour to make unusual creative and intellectual links that neither he nor his clients understand.

Mr. Edwards is an old-school design ninja dressed as a normal Aussie bloke. I know this because I have seen his style and know some of his moves. But there is more i want to know about Mr Edwards. So I asked him a few questions.

I know that you love to collect great designs, ads and so on, but where do you find it, and where do you keep it all?

I have been collecting printed scraps since I was at college. I wouldn’t say I collect great designs, quite the opposite. I like the obscure, the bizarre, the unsophisticated. At first I was trying to preserve old style design so I went to old shops and bought postcards, toy and confectionery packaging that had been sitting on dusty shelves for years. Whenever I go abroad my first stop is the local supermarket to see if there is any interesting packaging. I come home with my bag full of soap powder boxes, old rcord sleeves, rat glue, bubble gum packets. As these things have became harder to find I visit a lot of junk shops and flea markets.

“My home is a 3 dimensional scrap book which I live in.”

How do you go about putting your artwork together? And What tools do you use?These days I use creative suite to put my images together although I started off with traditional cut and paste methods. My main tool was the photocopier but now it is the scanner. I spend 100’s of hours scanning. I also like to add paint, ink, brush, rubber stamps, stencils and more organic methods to counter the perfection of technology. When I used to use the photocopier mistakes would happen, images would deteriorate a little but now technology is too good so i build in mistakes deliberately. Although I use the computer my thinking is old school cut and paste which makes a difference.

When do you find yourself being most creative?
I am most creative at night, and I am a bit like a writer in that I play with images for a few hours everyday and see if anything sticks. Also I will experiment with formats and sizes and see if that throws up anything. Sometimes I will restrict myself to only one or two colours or give myself a theme. Sometimes I will rework something many times before I am happy with it.

Its not been until recent that you have been showing off your work, why is that?
Good question, I was quite happy just keeping it for my own amusement and one day I woke up with the urge to put it altogether in a book – the Crap book. It was a huge undertaking, scanning and photographing everything I had collected then laying it all out. But things started to happen and I got excited by it all and wanted to start sharing it. I think this also coincided with Other design work I was doing which was getting more corporate and restrictive. It was a form of release.

I have seen that you have started to do lots of postups, How did you get in to that type of streetart? and why?
I looked at having an exhibition but galleries want an up front lump sum plus they want 30% of any sales. So I just started pasting things up in the street and online as a free gallery space.

I had some stickers printed and started from there. As I walk everywhere I tend to see things on a more intimate scale so my pieces have been quite small. But I am gradually doing bigger and bigger pieces. I like to think I bring a smile to people on their way to work.

How is the postup scene is Sydney these days?
There was a big exhibition of Street Art recently on Cockatoo Island in Sydney. There was a huge space dedicated to Paste-up with over 350 artists contributing from all over the world. It was a constantly changing collage, building up layer upon layer.It got a lot of exposure here in the press and on television.

I know everyone has been doing owls the last few years and I have notice that you say you never do owls. What do you got against owls man? what have they done to you?
Owls are trying to take over the world by appearing at craft fairs printed on everything. Also I heard them talking about you and they weren’t very nice.

But when you make an animal, what do you then prefer?
I am a people person although I seem to have a lot of monkeys

Does your art always have some humor in it?
Its not all humorous but then again its not really serious either. I am not a stand up comedian I am a sit down hiding behind a computer screen comedian.

Never any political or serious pieces?
I used to be more political when I was at college, I just need the right motivation.

I know you are a master in editorial design. How has that effected your art pieces?
I have to work hard at breaking the page format sometimes. I naturally want to turn everything into a book or magazine format. When designing magazines there is no time for finessing things so you promise yourself the next issue will be better and that way the design evolves and develops. I have started making 16 page A5 zines as a quick way of experimenting. I was spending too long reworking things and generally fannying about so they help me to be disciplined.

Is it true that you got ninja skills?
You have nothing to fear unless you are selling tea towels or tote bags with owls printed on them.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
Expect the unexpected

“I am not the one who will not be blamed for nothing”

www.misteredwards.tv