Tomorrow MOCA TV releases the third installment of the Artists Talk series, created by Alia Shawkat and Lance Bangs—a six-part YouTube program in which Alia drops in on some of her favorite artists. Tomorrow morning we'll be premiering Alia's interview with Andrew Kuo! But before you hit the lights, read on as Andrew turns the tables on Alia, and interviews her.
Andrew Kuo: What's up Alia! What have you been working on?
Alia Shawkat: I'm working on a poster for a short film and also just stuff that comes out of me.
AK: You've been in so many things I love and think I would love. I'm ashamed to admit this but I've never seen Arrested Development. As a newcomer, what can you tell me about the show after being away from it for a few years?
AS: Thank God there's someone who hasn’t seen it. It's been a very rare, cool experience. I feel very lucky to be a part of something I'm proud of and also to be able to reunite with a cast and writers who I admire. I think it's funny.
AK: If you could go back and make a sequel to anything you've done, what would it be?
AS: Hard one. I've really enjoyed many projects. There are definitely ones I'd never want to revisit. But I'd say Whip It maybe? The story is pretty wrapped up, but what a rad group of people it was. And I'd want to shoot it in Detroit again as well.
AK: Do you like Instagram?
AS: I had Instagram for a week and got so addicted that I had to delete it. I'm too vulnerable to feeling left out so I couldn't enjoy it.
AK: NY or LA?
AS: Um, I love both for different reasons [dependent on] the different modes I'm in and the different people to spend time with. I like living in LA right now. It's chill and good for me to create alone; writing and drawing. I love my house. I love the restaurant Little Dom's. It's so cozy and always satisfying as hell.
AK: I like your paintings! Who are your favorite painters?
AS: Thanks! I'm very inspired by Ralph Steadman, George Grosz, Raymond Pettibon, Adam Green, and Fab Moretti. They're art superstars.
AK: Your paintings have a lot of words in them. Does performing influence what you paint?
AS: Everything inspires what I paint. Douchey answer, but all experiences end up coming out through my paintings. Sometimes I don't even process it till I see it in a drawing.
AK: Who is your favorite comedian?
AS: Mitch Hedberg
AK: If you could have any painting in your house, what would it be and where would you put it?
AS: I'd own a Sue Williams piece. She has a piece that looks like the guts of Ren and Stimpy. I'd hang it in my living room.
AK: Do you think the Internet makes making art harder or easier?
AS: It makes it trickier, for sure. It's hard for things to be discovered because there's so much of it. But it also makes it more accessible, which is important. You have to trust your art will end up being in the right places and appreciated.![]()
Still from Alia's interview with Andrew![]()
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A poster work-in-progress by Alia
Andrew Kuo: What's up Alia! What have you been working on?
Alia Shawkat: I'm working on a poster for a short film and also just stuff that comes out of me.
AK: You've been in so many things I love and think I would love. I'm ashamed to admit this but I've never seen Arrested Development. As a newcomer, what can you tell me about the show after being away from it for a few years?
AS: Thank God there's someone who hasn’t seen it. It's been a very rare, cool experience. I feel very lucky to be a part of something I'm proud of and also to be able to reunite with a cast and writers who I admire. I think it's funny.
AK: If you could go back and make a sequel to anything you've done, what would it be?
AS: Hard one. I've really enjoyed many projects. There are definitely ones I'd never want to revisit. But I'd say Whip It maybe? The story is pretty wrapped up, but what a rad group of people it was. And I'd want to shoot it in Detroit again as well.
AK: Do you like Instagram?
AS: I had Instagram for a week and got so addicted that I had to delete it. I'm too vulnerable to feeling left out so I couldn't enjoy it.
AK: NY or LA?
AS: Um, I love both for different reasons [dependent on] the different modes I'm in and the different people to spend time with. I like living in LA right now. It's chill and good for me to create alone; writing and drawing. I love my house. I love the restaurant Little Dom's. It's so cozy and always satisfying as hell.
AK: I like your paintings! Who are your favorite painters?
AS: Thanks! I'm very inspired by Ralph Steadman, George Grosz, Raymond Pettibon, Adam Green, and Fab Moretti. They're art superstars.
AK: Your paintings have a lot of words in them. Does performing influence what you paint?
AS: Everything inspires what I paint. Douchey answer, but all experiences end up coming out through my paintings. Sometimes I don't even process it till I see it in a drawing.
AK: Who is your favorite comedian?
AS: Mitch Hedberg
AK: If you could have any painting in your house, what would it be and where would you put it?
AS: I'd own a Sue Williams piece. She has a piece that looks like the guts of Ren and Stimpy. I'd hang it in my living room.
AK: Do you think the Internet makes making art harder or easier?
AS: It makes it trickier, for sure. It's hard for things to be discovered because there's so much of it. But it also makes it more accessible, which is important. You have to trust your art will end up being in the right places and appreciated.
Still from Alia's interview with Andrew
A poster work-in-progress by Alia