by Natalie Durkin
T
agline: Give yourself and your work a tagline.
I hold a funhouse mirror up to culture and make people see their world more clearly.
R
est: How do you spend your time off?
I’m usually partying with friends, going to concerts, or watching the Dodgers.
I
nfluence: What effect do you hope to have on us?
I hope to reflect our evolving popular culture in a way that humors and informs my audience.
B
ack: If you could choose a past literary/art/music movement to be a part of, which would you choose?
Because of the current nature of my work, I don’t think I would fit in well in a past movement. However, I think I could adapt to the ‘60s pop art movement pretty easily.
E
nergy: What fires you up?
Bad art in big-name galleries, good music in any venue, hanging out with friends and family, interesting strangers, and David Bowie.
L
os 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?
My favorite place in LA is probably Dodger Stadium. I would take visitors to see my brother’s band, DMTina and the Bumps, or to a Dodgers game, though a punk rock drag show and a three-hour baseball game are acquired tastes. If you doubt this city, drive one mile in any direction and give it another chance.
A
dvice: What is the best advice you’ve received? What is the best advice you can give?
Best advice received: You want no stink of that boring shit. Best advice given: The future will get weird.
Adam showed me around his Echo Park base in June. As an Orange County native, he notes being aware of celebrity, stardom, fame, and branding and negotiating the differences from a young age. His idea of a star? Not a Kardashian.
A
ura: How would you describe your energy, style, etc.?
I’m not sure about my energy. My style revolves around dark clothes with skater and rocker elements from my youth.
R
oom: Where in your house do you work? If not in your house, where do you feel most compelled to create?
I like to paint in my studio, preferably the area with consistent light and cooler temperature.
T
ools: What do you prefer to work with, physically and otherwise?[/hoot_dropcap]
I love working with my airbrush on unconventional surfaces.
I
ndulgence: Do you cook? What is your favorite food indulgence? What is your favorite restaurant in LA where you indulge yourself?
I was raised by chefs so I know how to cook, though I don’t show off my knowledge much. I love prosciutto. My favorite restaurant is Taix in Echo Park.
S
pecial: Who or what holds a special place in your heart? How does this factor in to your process?
My family. They allowed me to follow my creative passions and I try not to make them think I made a big mistake.
T
ime: What is your all-time favorite piece of writing/art/music you’ve created?
My favorite painting I made is called The Naughty Doppler. It still amazes me every time I see it.
Thank you Adam!
Adam Mars’ works are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Art and History and the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. He has exhibited throughout the United States at various institutions, including the Torrance Art Museum and the Laguna Art Museum. His first solo exhibition with Gusford Gallery in February 2013 was recommended by Interview Magazine as one of the top international shows to view that month. His work has also been featured in numerous publications like The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, and LA Weekly.
In 2016 and 2014, he designed billboards for LAXART’s LA Public Domain Project, which were displayed on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood and La Cienega Blvd. in Culver City. He has also created site-specific works for the Museum of Broken Relationships in Los Angeles and the LA Art Fair.
For more Adam, click adammars.net
Photo by Lisa Durkin
Natalie Durkin is a content contributor and social media assistant at TribeLA. She is a student at Bard College in New York’s idyllic Hudson Valley and returns intermittently to L.A. to see her parents and black Labrador Retriever, Buoy. Don’t ask her what she is majoring in; she doesn’t know yet, but she plans on pursuing a career in drama therapy. Once, she was a debutante. Sometimes, she is an actress, waterskier, and snow skier. She is always a Sex and the City fan, animal lover, and proud Angeleno. Nat’s website is: https://nataliedurkinwriting.wixsite.com/nataliedurkin
More works by Adam Mars…
ART TODAY 08.21.17: United in Healing: Adam Mars is a Catalyst for Re-examination and Reflection
New Year ART REVIEW as Adam Mars takes our eyes off the TV and onto the reality show playing outside