FEATURED INTERVIEW:

Interview by Jason Zenga. August 2009.

Curbs and Stoops:    Arkiv For those who don’t know , tell us about yourself, who you are , what you do, background/lifestyle:

Arkiv Instant:    Hello, I'm Arkiv, i'm from Indonesia and I'm 29 years old. My friends called me Rushhead as a designer name. I'm an architect and a big fan of art !  I ain't got any kid just yet! To be frankly, architect is not my world, I didn't see nor experience any fun about it. It's kinda boring for me. Now I decided to be the architect of ARKIV INSTANT, and after all, this is what I really want with my life

Curbs and Stoops:    How did you come up with the name Arkiv instant? Is there a meaning or story behind it?

Arkiv Instant:    Definitely. I used to be a serious collector since 2002. My first toy was Michael lau and i'm really impressed about the toy movement at that time. I started to design my own toys around 2006 until i decided to be a creator rather than a collector. I sold all my collections to a friend who was mad about it! Get some cash and developed a prototype for my figure. When the idea came, i always thought to give some name to my debut figure, since ive been designing it for a few months already at that time. it took me a while to design something simple and classic, The hardest part was to know when to stop, since its never good enough, there is always new additions that i want to put on the design, when often they just made the design worse. as a good designer, you gotta know when to stop. The word Instant, because the idea came instantly, and of course i represent myself as Arkiv on this, it's a new life for me.

Curbs and Stoops:    How long have you been painting / designing and how would you describe your artistic journey?

Arkiv Instant:    This is a fun journey for me. My blood is to be a designer, and i love to be one. There is always mad and creative ideas around this design world, and i learn everything by myself and still learning now, When i was studying architecture, i always paint with water color mark, which was a fun experience for me, and by the end of 2005, i tried a new medium which was acrlyic and it was fun too ! i learn a lot of technics from the internet and my first canvas was a looney toones and its rabbit. Now i just design my own character only, Arkiv.   

Curbs and Stoops:    Where do your characters come from? Do they originate from imagination or inspiration?

Arkiv Instant:    Cartoon has always haunted me since i was little. I've always been fond of Looney Tunes and Mickey Mouse. My favorite characters are the Bugs Bunny and Marvin the Martian. I think they are both genius and funny characters. I also like panda. I think panda is a silly animal who is innocent and obedient to humans. Haha..and last but not least is the killer whale. The killer whale is my favorite of all, because of its naivety and its mysteriousness. But once you disturb it, it will attack you. so you better not disturb it.   When I start drawing, what I have on my mind is the Bunny, Panda, and the Killer Whale. I have always tried to draw things that remind me of my childhood, and things that I like since I was a little kid. These characters have always inspired me for my designs, especially for my Arkiv design. For me, Arkiv is the combination of these characters in modern and classic era. Arkiv, for me, is an imagination that can’t be left behind. Sometimes I like to imagine that he would be alive, and we would hang out together, drinking beers..Haha.

Curbs and Stoops:    Your style as an artist is unique, what and who are your major influences in the development of your style?

Arkiv Instant:    I have never thought that Arkiv Instant is a unique character, because I have known him for way too long that there’s a point when I got tired of seeing it with its big teeth. However, a lot of people said that Arkiv is a unique and a strong character. My major influences are Murakami and Dalek. They are great artists. They always use brilliant colors, and this gives such a great sensation for people who see their art works. They take you to a different world. Its crazy!

Curbs and Stoops:    As a working artist can you tell us, what has art given you and taken from you?

Arkiv Instant:    Its been such a great experience for me. Frankly, I do not have any art background. I was not in an art school either. It all happened because I love art! Art makes me more creative and a bit autistic (haha). I spend a lot of time in the studio, almost 15 hours every day. Id try to make something new everyday, and painting has been my new hobby other than designing toys.

Curbs and Stoops:    When you first started painting did you anticipate how global and culturally encompassing your art would become?

Arkiv Instant:    It was all a surprise, really. I didn’t expect myself to be involved in the art world. It is all because of those who like my work, as well as my friends who have helped me a lot. Theres a lot of people who bought my art works and chose not to publish them, and that’s good enough for me. I just think that they’re lucky to have my first paintings, which is good for me!

Curbs and Stoops:    Three words to describe your work?

Arkiv Instant:   Modern. Sophisticated. Clean.

Curbs and Stoops:    You are well known to some for your signature character who is depicted In most of your images, how was this character developed and will he remain the main subject in your work?

Arkiv Instant:    When I started designing, I have never thought about a signature character. However, as I do more and more design, I started to see a theme of my own designs. I read an article in an art toy magazine once, they said that if you want to be successful in making art toys, you don’ stop drawing til your eyes bleed. And I think it is true. It has been fun for me. I will maintain my own signature while creating more and hopefully interesting designs!

Curbs and Stoops:    Is this character a reflection of you in anyway?  what is it that he represents and where will he be in years to come, will he develop along with your work or be kept as the signature mark of Arkiv?

Arkiv Instant:    I see my character as a reflection of myself. It started when my friends said that the character is similar to me. And then I started to think about it. And that’s how it happened. It was some kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy I guess. haha You will see Arkiv in me one day. Maybe when I talk, or being alone doing my work, or even when I feel like talking to no one, or when you see my big belly.. haha Arkiv is Arkiv and I will make it a new style that is rich of art, as well as a signature that brings you to a deep and modern imagination.

TO READ THE REST OF THE ARKIV INTERVIEW CLICK HERE.