STANDARD x SKULLPHONE
THE STANDARD x SKULLPHONE from Tyler Kindred on Vimeo.
VIA STANDARD
The name Skullphone is basically eponymous with LA street art. And while he’s best known for the now iconic image of a skeleton on a cell phone we love the evolving direction of Skullphone’s work. Last week he took over both The 6th Street Mural at The Standard, Downtown LA and The Box at The Standard, Hollywood with two different digitally inspired pointillism installations.
At the end of the month, we’ll celebrate with the man behind the moniker at The Standard, Hollywood. Stay tuned for details! Skullphone put down the cellular for a few seconds to tell us about the past, present and future of his work.
The Standard: Tell us where Skullphone comes from and what the name/work represents.
Skullphone: Skullphone is an image I started posting around Los Angeles in 1999. As a frame of reference I was called “the guy who puts up that skull on cell phone image”, which I eventually condensed to my moniker “Skullphone.” Interpretations of this rudimentary image are left up to viewers regarding technology, social systems and every day sort of stuff.
You work in a variety of media, is there one you go to more frequently? How is each unique?
My time is now spent hand painting thousands of dots on aluminum panels. These pieces are made to intrigue within an indoor setting the same way outdoor art impacts commuters.
I still use standard tools for outdoor work: stencils, posters, etc. The two worlds are linked with outdoor imagery working its way into the dots and the dots now working their way outdoors.
Do you have a favorite piece or project you’ve worked on?
The digital billboards in Los Angeles back in 2008 impacted my current trip the most - it bridged me over to painting RGB dot patterns. I also enjoy the text messages every December when the hollow glass Skullphone baubles hang on Christmas trees. They have an insane craftsmanship since they were produced at the original glass ornament factory in Poland. They’re very fragile. (Note: a very limited quantity of Skullphone’s ornaments will be available for purchase at The Shop at The Standard, Downtown. Run don’t walk!)
How do you approach projects like the mural at The Standard, DTLA and the vitrine at The Standard, Hollywood differently?
The downtown mural is made for people walking and driving past it, so it’s not necessarily made to be seen from a direct view. The Hollywood Vitrine piece is visible from far away but falls apart as it is approached. When standing at the reception desk it hopefully will be abstract nothingness. Of course the Hollywood vitrine will also have a Digital LED with information overload. Welcome to The Standard, Hollywood…
We see your work all over LA – where else can we find Skullphone?
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, SocialCam, Google Suites, Myspace, Bebo, Friendster, Zorpia, Netlog, Habo, Yahoo Messenger, Live Profile, Convore, Postman, LiveShare, FreeSpeach, Crowdstory, Ditto, hi5, Groupie, Honestly Now and Skullphone.com.
SKULLPHONE PRINTS HERE