’89 domande a Alexander Carey-Morgan – Designer & Artist
ALL THE PUNK AMORE PICTURES OF ALEXANDER CAREY-MORGAN ARE BY MAX THEODOR
Name? Alexander Carey-Morgan.
How old are you? 27.
What’s your job? Artist.
What did you study? Design at Central St Martins, but I had my space in the fine art studios too.
Since it is one of the few elements that cannot be contaminated by artificial intelligence, do you think the real life of the artist will return to the center of the stage, becoming itself the true work of art? It isn’t a return, the artist is always present in the work.
Do you think, for example, that killing an ant is the same thing as killing a dolphin? In other words, do you think that the lives of living beings are all on the same level, or do you evaluate them on the basis of their functionality in relation to human beings? I don’t like dolphins – they’re bad creatures, they do fucked up things. Fuck dolphins. And the worst thing about it is that they get such good press, everyone loves them. I got time for ants though, they’re cool.
Which project has changed you the most as a professional, and why? Residency at Hinterraum Lisbon under Aidan Wallace doing the Horizon and Back project. I gained a deeper understanding of myself, what it means to be an artist and of my practice itself. It was transformational time in my life and Aidan was a great mentor.
What do you do when you feel creatively blocked or disconnected from your work? Connect with nature, nature is the greatest work of art. Going on a run is great or showering / some connection with water.
How do you know when a piece of work is truly finished? At some point the pieces take on a life of their own, and by that point I’m not to say when their time is up.
Can you tell us something about you that nobody knows or very few people know? I’m fire at table tennis.
Can you give us a definition of art? Obsession of an intuition. The byproduct of the pursuit of intuition and question.
What’s your best talent? Taking chances.
If you could have a super power what would you choose? Teleportation, no doubt.
When, in your opinion, can you define a person as an artist? By their lifestyle, when they start to question.
How has sobriety changed your internal relationship with time, choices, and patience? You start seeing things in a longer scope, less short term thinking. Gaining an understanding that pieces take as long as they need, to be the best they can be.
If you could send a message to your younger self from the future, what would it say? Stay lit, you’re good. Be there for people.
Do you think man’s life has meaning? Of course, we are all here for reason, which will be revealed at some point along the journey. Just be sure to appreciate it when it comes.
What do you think people say about you? Ain’t no one like ACM.
If you could spend a day with an historical figure who would you choose? Cleopatra.
Who are the artists that inspired you the most? Bob Dylan, Anish Kapoor, Beuys, Tapiés, Kiefer, Kazou Shigara, Axel Verwoordt, Kanye West, Bosco Sodi, Berlinde de Bruycke. Minh-lin Tran, Kingsley Ifill, Keith Richards, Young Thug, Monet, Bob Marłey.
What is the thing you like most about Italy? It’s got to be the food – sensational. A proper carbonara hits differently.
What’s the topic you are most expert in? I’m a student in all.
Are you in love? Always.
Where are you from? Deep in the countryside, New forest.
Favorite artworks? Beuys – I like America and America likes me, Anish Kapoor – 1000 Names, Kazoo – The Water Margin Hero series, Berlinde de Bruyckere – cripple wood. There’s a lot, here are just a few. There’s also pieces from Tapiés, Kiefer and Bosco, but I couldn’t pick one.
If you can choose 5 celebrities to have party with who they would be? Charlie Sheen, Keith Richards, Future, Johnny Depp & 2015 Nicki Minaj.
Do you feel envy for anyone? If so, for whom? Sometimes when looking at works of my favourite artists. It s more just a complete awe of how ? How were they able to create something so beautiful. There a slight feeling of envy cocooned by pure joy and fascination.
If you had the possibility to remove social networks from the world, would you delete them? Nope.
What’s your favourite historical character? Castro, Gaddafi, Rumi.
What’s your favourite city in the world? Couldn’t give one, each one offers something different. I hate Berlin though.
Do you believe in some religions? I respect the core pillars of religions, and in a historical sense I’m fascinated in their shaping of the world.
What’s the first thing you would do if you win the lottery? Flying everyone out. And later on making a A Biopic of Joesph Beuys starring Walton goggins.
Your favorite dish? Anything Skye cooks.
Favorite fashion brand? Whatever Tony ´chicharito´ Bash and Lux Gillespie do.
How important is it for you to be rich from 1 to 10? The means of acquiring it is much more important then the amount.
An advice you can give to someone that wants to do your job? Risk it all. You can’t beat someone at their own game. You need to find your own language. Have patience, It takes time to find your language.
Best party you’ve been to? Post party.
What are the clothes you can’t stand to see on a man and on a woman? Full runway looks, or people cosplaying a fashion trend or era. Its lame, shows no swag or original thought.
Can you tell us a number from 1 to 89? Lucky number 13.
If you could choose someone to follow you on Instagram who would you choose? Lil Uzi Vert.
Do you think that a cultural growth is always good for an individual or do you think that in certain situations it is identified with a loss of intellectual purity? Cultural growth is one of the most important things we can do as people, and to understand others.
Is rock and roll still alive? Ohhh yeahhhhh, Croke Park, Dublin.
A question you wish we had asked you but didn’t? When’s your next show.
And what answer would you have given yourself? London March 11th with Hunter Amos and Charlie Gosling at Freddie Foulkes Gallery. See you there.
If you could choose a person you know to read this interview, who would it be? Fakemink.
