Below: (left) Cover of XLR8R #113, 2007
12
Below: (right) "Permanent Vacation," screenprint, 2008, from Rinzen's Go Your Own Way show at Vallery, Barcelona
What mediums does Rinzen work in? Rilla Alexander: Our illustrative work is usually finished digitally; however, we work with various media–ink, watercolor, and pencil. We usually paint our large pieces and wall murals, although they are printed if the scale demands it. Steve Alexander: Music is another medium we like working with. The similarities in process are fascinating, and inform our visual work too. We've also been working with other musicians in their production and collaborative efforts.
have a reputation for taking advantage of undeveloped markets. A small local company can be equally as devious. We feel the least we can do is to not support those sorts of businesses. We don't work with cigarette companies. Rilla: We apply this sort of thinking to our own work too. It may mean that some of our products are more expensive, but we know where they were made and under what circumstances.
Can you tell me a bit about Rinzen’s design philosophy? Rilla: We are very obsessive about what we do and want our work to show a sense of the excitement and delight with which we create it Steve: We like working with people with vision, people that have a sympathetic desire to make something new. We don't work with companies that have destructive work practices.
Rinzen is a Japanese word that means “sudden awakening.” How does that word represent your collective? Rilla: It's a very old Japanese word that's not in common use. We were attracted to it because the decision to work together as Rinzen was like a sudden wake-up call. Steve: We liked the fact that the word was without association in people's minds. It's like a reminder of our intentions as a group: to always push our limitations.
What are destructive work practices? Steve: I think the term destructive says it all. It applies to all levels of work practice: environmentally, financially, and creatively. We're not fanatical–it's just a common sense approach. It's common knowledge that certain international corporations
How does Japanese art and pop culture influence Rinzen’s designs? Rilla: From a very early age I was surrounded with Japanese TV and toys. I had a Hello Kitty pencil case and watched Astro Boy every afternoon. Japanese was also the only language I learned at school. But, having