Ave E
Drawn in the dead of summer for the daughter of a friend I was courting — unsuccessfully — this was an attempt at being a peacock for her mom. A stippled and unrequited mating dance.
Acrostic Interview with Rob Sussman.2
Back: If you could choose a past literary/art/music movement to be a part of, which would you choose?
Probably the Surrealists in France and Spain, and then in Mexico City. The scope of their vision was brought home to me in Coyoacán, walking the few blocks in that 500-year old neighborhood from Frida’s house to Trotsky’s where bullet holes still riddle the walls. It felt like the stakes were very high. And then Buñuel arrived.
Energy: What fires you up?
Any number of things. Great writing, music. A beautiful day. Swimming, spending time in the floatation tank.
Los Angeles: Where is your favorite place in Los Angeles? Where would you take visitors? If you could defend the city in one sentence to someone who doubts it, what would you say?
Silverlake and Downtown are both favorites, but I also love the Venice Canals and the quiet deserted beach in Marina del Rey. I like to take visitors to the Getty, the Museum of Jurassic Technology, Book Soup, the Aero, and maybe the L.A. River. If there’s time, a foray to Joshua Tree. It takes a bit more work than New York, but L.A. is exploding with culture. Art, food, film, and astounding physical beauty.
Rob Sussman studied at the School of Visual Arts and Otis College of Art & Design. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, Paper, The Progressive, LA Weekly, The Village Voice, New York Press and The NY Times Book Review. Rob was born and grew up in New York City. He lives and works in Los Angeles. You can reach out to him at: robsussman.com or on instagram.com/rob_sussman.
ART TODAY 022518 Rob Sussman Art: Behind The Eyes, Snap Your Fingers by Chris Bonno