Marcel Dzama's devoutly handmade artwork feels like an extension of his childhood creativity. He's the kid that never stopped drawing, and here at OC we love him for that. As one of our most treasured friends and collaborators, Marcel made special artwork for our 10 year book, and has appeared as a musical bear with buddy Spike Jonze at our Howard Street store. Every occasion to see work by Marcel is a treat, so we are looking forward to his upcoming London show at David Zwirner gallery. Opening this Saturday, Puppets, Pawns, and Prophets brings together new and recent work, much of it revolving around the game of chess. With three short films, drawings, collages, and masks, the show spans the breadth of Marcel's fertile imagination. I asked him a few questions as he prepared for the opening.
Rory Satran: Which came first, an interest in chess or an interest in Marcel Duchamp?Marcel Dzama: I learned to play chess when I was younger, long before I knew of Duchamp. One of my teachers taught me how to play in the third grade but my interest in Duchamp rekindled my love of chess. I used to live near Washington Square Park and walk by those amazing chess shops on Thompson Street. I started going in and buying some chess pieces and magazines and slowly started playing again. Even watching the guys play in the park was fun. Seems like a nice, New York thing.
Where does your feeling of kinship with Marcel Duchamp come from, aside from the similarity in your names?
I went to Philadelphia in 2003 for the first time and saw the amazing collection owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I was awestricken for lack of a better word and the work just stuck with me. I started to collect his books and read his biographies, watch some art documentaries on him. I didn't grow up around huge international art museums that showed work like that so maybe it was extra powerful for me. I loved it.
Do you play chess?
Yes, but since having a child I've slowed down substantially. I don't have the time for it anymore.
The only way I get to play these days is on the subway via an app I have on my phone. Sometimes I'll miss my stop.
Are any of the works in the new show related to the fact that you knew they would be shown in London? There are a few Union Jacks floating around.
Yes, there are a few Union Jacks and the Queen makes a few appearances. I thought the fact that a lot of the work is based on Chess that the queen fit in perfectly. Also being Canadian, I had to pay some tribute to my Queen.
You've talked about listening to books on tape while you work. How does listening to a book or listening to music add another layer to your work?
I listen to music while I am drawing and I listen to audio books when painting or making sculptures. For sure they can affect the mood of the piece. Sometimes with the rhythm, sometimes with the mood. While listening to audiobooks, I am trying to fill my mind with new ideas but I guess it comes out in abstract ways. I'll sometimes hear an interesting word and focus on that almost like a collage and fit in in to the work.
Costumes play such an important role in your work. Do you like getting dressed up?
Not so much myself but I really do enjoy seeing other people in costumes, especially kids in homemade costumes. I have designed some costumes for my actors to wear for films and videos which was pretty exciting to see