WELCOME TO JEREMYVILLE!

Long version of the interview published in Clark Magazine # 25 in May 2007 Welcome to Jeremyville. A peaceful and welcoming village, populated by reassuring monsters, animals under champis and bonzommes hirsutes on legs. A bled where the marking consists of flops and bubbles with a breathtaking point of view of the world of Toy (he is the author of the Pioneer Vinyl Will Kill) and the customization. A large space is reserved for planetary graphic travel people, who jostle to be residents of his new book: sessions. Never memory of man we had seen a mayor also involved in the life of his municipality! A municipal council imposed: Hi Jeremy, you are supposed to live at the exact opposite 'Where I find myself (Paris), can you tell me where you are at the moment present, what you just did, and above all, proves it! Hi BONFIL! I just tangled a head at Bondi beach because I needed it after a long day at the studio. I will splash a little my keyboard with the salt water that I have in my hair and electric to prove to you that Bzzz Ouch! Here I am sitting in my pear armchair at the studio and I tap on my keyboard while listening to Mia and Uffie in my headphones, yeah Can you introduce me your universe and what you do in life? I draw a lot about my sketchbook, I collaborate with artists, I participate in collective exhibitions (like the My 2007 at Colette), I paint a lot, I travel, I design objects like for example toys, clothes and products For my Jeremyville line as well as for other companies. And I'm also not bad and I have a good time I love swimming, running, spending time with my friends, and I often travel out of Australia. MTV Italy has just invite me to Milan to make a painting session on big toys with Tokidoki, Rinzen, Tado and Furi Furi, we're all squatter in a huge mtv barrack I guess. It's going to be crazy. I also have a skateboard signature at the Munky King Store on my way, and I may go to see friends in Mexico in the stride. It's a busy but fun. Hey, I also have the new line Jeremyville available on my site jeremyville.com When did you start drawing? I have never really drawn a lot when I was little, too busy playing the Lego, to the little soldiers and build models of glider. But when I entered the university I was in the editorial of Honi be, the student magazine of the college, and I started drawing cartoons, which I then presented at the Sydney Morning Herald, the biggest Australian daily and they hired me, so I started my career down while pursuing architectural studies, and it was at the age of 19. I have never done other jobs I have always bossed as an artist. What is your favorite moment of the day to create? Late at night, around 3h of the mat when I can not hold my eyes open very long and draw everything that goes through my head. It's very liberating and it allows me to empty my mind and leave the pencil hunt me dreams. Then I scan these drawings the next day and I use the basic work. I like the immediacy of the drawing. It's the fastest way between my thoughts and paper. How long did it take you to your new book sessions? At about 6 months in total, with the help of Megan Mair, which is the producer and the D.A, but also Chris, Jonathan and Laurence Ng IDN in Hong Kong who are patient and very creative publishers. This is a great team with which I have worked without compromising on the production or on the level of qiality that I wanted to get for the book. It is also the same team with which I worked on Vinyl Will Kill. The main subject of sessions is the collaborations! Toys, Expos, Sneakers, Walls, Animation, Sketchels with artists like Geof McFetridge, Beck, Genevieve Gauckler, Devilrobots, MTV, Lego, Miss Van, The Lazy Dog, Colette, Tristan Eaton, Jim Woodrng, Converse, Tim Tsui, Rolito and full of others. What are you regretting about Vinyl Will Kill and what are you most proud of? I regret nothing ! Thank edith! (In french in the text). I do not regret any thing, simply because I do best that I can every time and I will regret if I do not invest the maximum. I did my best, and I hope it feels in the book! The thing I'm most proud of is to have been close to a beautiful team and could have had all the wonderful contributors who gave their time and their efforts to design the book! A great teamwork How did we evolved in the world of designer toy since you were interested? I think there are many more designers involved and able to invest in customs and crossovers. There are also more Crossover projects like Kidrobot with their clothing line, more publishers and more companies like Trexi who collaborates with Coca-Cola in Singapore. But also more different artists, such as people from painting, animation that make figurines. It has become a medium that we really consider as an artistic support, like skate board, sneakers, t-shirts ... What is the main difference between American and Asian toyscompagnies? I think that in the US there are more small companies that make Art-Toy, since the local market and the local artistic scene is very lively and can self-succeed. I am thinking of companies like Super Rad Toys, Necessaries Toy Foundation, Critterbox, 360Toys, Thunderdog, Madl, Unkl Brand, Muttpop and still others. There is a huge Low-Brow scene, pop art in the United States and more precisely at L. where it is possible for small companies to survive. On the other hand, there are those who produce and have a shop, such as AdFunture, Presspop or King of Mountain in Asia, but these work a lot with American artists like Jim Woodring, Geoff McFetridge, Jim Koch, Archer Prewitt, Dan Clows, Chris Ware, so they are clearly inspired by the American style. Anyway it's hard to simplify such a fragmented genre. Good job remains good work maybe from wherever he comes. Since the publication of VWK, other works around the world of designer toys have come out, what do you think of these books? I am proud that VWK is the first, especially since it contains more background interviews with artists and producers. I think it's good that there are new books of course, and I am delighted to be invited to participate in these books. I just sent some work for a new book being produced. I like being a precursor, then try other things in the worlds of art and design. For example, after finishing VWK, I designed the project of customized bags Sketchel Including Beck, Genevieve Gauckler, Miss Van, Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Superwink, Rolito, Jaime Hayon, Saiman Chow What is your more distant memory of toys? The Lego! And my collection of Smurf. And the Gijoe and Frankenstein figurines. My father was worried about seeing me playing with so many dolls when I was young. What do you think does a good Toy? A solid concept, an atmosphere with an original design or a particular style. I like toys designed by great artists who have never done toy before. It's exciting to see how they cross the course of 3D What do you think does a good graphic book? Many texts, analyzes, tests and interviews. It's easy to make a book with just cool drawings and treaches for the eyes, anyone can do it. Create a Sui work can last in time and is representative of its time, it is much more difficult. There is a difference between a PAF tequila and a good wine that ages cellar. I love design books with substance, depth and insight. What is the figurine that put you a slap recently? I think Jeff Soto Walker is rather cool. I always love my be @ rbrick 1000% kaws gray. It's an old Toy but who always gives me pleasure. Not that kind of fun, but rather another style. The figurines of Geoffmc Fetridge of King of Mountain's Crature Off My Back series are part of my favorites because they are so conceptual. I like when there is something other than a beautiful visual appearance, a meaning behind the Toy. The Kidrobot Mini Figurines series X Jesse Ledoux is rather cool too. What are the most innovative Toymakers right now according to you (artists or companies) Strangeco does really cool things with artists, Kidrobot for their consistnce and their innovation in the crossover like clothes, Platform-Toys and retail, Play Imaginative in Singapore with Standard Trexi and for the support they bring To new artists, Thunderdog leaves a lot of cool projects and I work with Tristan Eaton (who drew the Kidrobot mascot), it's an intelligent guy and a hardcover. I spent time with him during an Expo in New York and he has a lot of creative energies. Medicom are always at the top of the quality, Amos also with concepts on series, which I love. The Ningyo Project Super Rad Toys at L., I place one for Jonathan Cataly who has just released a figurine with Mr Cartoon, and I dragged with Jonathan and Baseman at L. recently. Good guys. Richard Wong at Red Magic has launched a huge project with Love Original Project, excessively ambitious. There is also Jakuan Lower East Side with 360Toys, Bounty Hunter and I also like the new Japanese scene with King of Mountain and Presspop. The MCA Evil Ape designs for TOY2R are deadly, I come from 'Linterviewer for Peel Magazine and it's a really cool guy. NECESSARIES TOY FOUNDATION Make it a great job with the Disney brand and FIFI Equalization and Dov Kelemer has a super active distribution cell that distils on the four corners of the globe of Toys and books that deserve the detour. A very connected type! In terms of artists, it's hard, there are so many talented people right now! I think those who land with an original figurine concept and with a style are my favorites. I like innovation. Are there any French artists that you like in particular? Oh there are so much, I think the French standard is much higher than anywhere else in the world, there is a style, color and inventiveness. Also a sharpened graphic sensitivity and a certain bravery. Since I'm on MySpace I've seen more yet. Those with whom I worked as Romu du Lazy Dog, and Fake also, Genevieve Gauckler, Rolito, 123klan, Superbye, Miss Van, Scien, Klor, Koa, Run, Domestic Vinyl and Products I also like Shoboshobo's style And I interviewed for Vinyl Will Kill, I also like Kuntzel + Deygas, Laurent Fetis, Ich and Kar, Adrien Gard, M & M Paris, The Semper Fi Crew, Laurent Fetis, Unchi Leisure Center, Chick, Stereo Pleasure, Miss Bulle , Reeno and Tilt, Bonus Toyz, Mega, DirtLab, Ahhh I know I forget it still full sorry! My ears are filled with salt water it's a little blurred in my head ... You are one of the designer Toy specialists, how do you get out so little figurines finally? Because of the time ! I have 8 figures that are being produced, individual figurines, not a series. This year I bump on several other projects then rest me the question in 2008, and I would have more to show you! I bump hard a lot of exciting projects. To tell the truth I went out my first 36 cm figurine in 3D in 1995, the Space Puppy, which was part of my very first clothes lige, it was there a long time and there was not yet From Art-Toy at the time, it was not yet part of a movement. A packet of people bought it, I sold more than 30,000 in Australia. But beyond the island it's true that it was not well known. I should come out the Space Puppy today! Do you think this movement can last forever? Yes of course, if it evolves in different universes permanently, without stagnating. Once innovation has disappeared, excitement decreases and collectors spend something else, but actors and collectors do everything! That's why I wanted to make a book as a session after VWK, in order to show the dimension about what a style can express itself, not just hard of figurines but through multiple other mediums, in order to maintain the public in a state of permanent excitement. I speak of movement, but how do you consider this phenomenon? I think movement is a judicious term. It is also a new medium and a new form of art. Your illustrations are often in two dimensions and flat, is it difficult to imagine them in 3 dimensions I always thought sorting dimensionally and I have a degree in architecture and it is a lot of dimensions in the archi! When I draw I usually try to design characters in a 3D world.

Is it easier to be observant or actor of this movement? I like being both at a time, because the creation of a figurine can take more than a year sometimes! What is your point of view about Platform-Toys and other standards? What makes a good Platform Toy according to you? Is there too much right now? Is there room for new standards? I think it opened the kind for designers that could not have been involved otherwise. From this angle it is very egalitarian, participative. In my opinion there is too much Platform Toys Similiar Nevertheless, but if someone offers a new standard, it should be very different, in a new material like the wood why not. For example the Mike Burnett exhibition with the Neighbourwood Custom Show and its wooden figurines, seemed to me really fresh and new, very exciting. I like Medicom's work approach with the Warhol Foundation by creating bea @ rbricks Warhol Gold Kaws that makes bus stops (Stop bus) or 1000% BE @ rbrick. The QEE and the Trexi are cool too, and I find the concept of Circus Punks quite unique. Does the manufacturing process interest you particularly or let the professionals do? I love the manufacturing process. In reality, our company is producing a figurine of a sports car driver for a customer and so we work on all stages of manufacturing. What material did you ever use and would you like to exploit? I love the 1986 Jeff Koons stainless steel rabbit as well as its balloon dog. I would like to try me on such monumental things as steel or aluminum, like Marc Newson's Lockhead Lounge. I also like bronze sculptures, like Tom Otterless's public creations, which I really love. I spent hours playing in the Tribeca district in New York near the Hudson River. Can you explain why traditional societies collaborate with designers in Toy at the research of Underground credibility? I think that in the end, not only they earn in credibility, a particular object can serve as a promotional object or perhaps for sale. It is cool and this has more value intrinsically than a simple t-shirt, and this can be exhibited in galleries. It's just a way for a company to sell things. I hope there will be no abuse nevertheless, it could affect the movement. What do you think about the recent arrival of toycompagnies in recent months, do you think it can saturate or is it necessary to boost the creativity and realization of better products? This could very well saturate the market, yes, it's so important to bring something new and fees. As soon as it turns around, the kids will move towards something cooler and again that they will be able to appropriate again. What it should be a new Michael Lau arrives and revolutionized the scene. Do you think that unknown artists are able to make original figurines that will find their audience or need to be a well-known artist to design figurines and sell them decently? Interesting question, I think if the design is incredible, an unknown designer is not going to stay very long. A known designer can already count on his fanbase. Someone who arrives we will first ask him to do a custom on a standard, then he can claim to make a figurine by himself. It's rare to see an unknown designer make an original figurine with a new mold, it's a lot of risks and investment. Unless, of course the artist self-produces. At the moment in Europe, we hear a lot about the new Australian musical scene, in full effervescence, but is there a new graphic scene too? Australian Groups are fatal! I love presets, Cut Copy, Van She, Wolfmother, The Valentinos, Sneaky Sound System, full of cool groups. The art scene also boils, but I will not name the name, for fear of forgetting and offending some! With which artist (living or not) would you like to collaborate? Marcel Duchamp, Warhol, Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Lennon for those who are no longer from this world. For those still alive, I will say Steve Jobs. I have already collaborated with two artists who were on my wishlist: Beck and Geoff McFetridge. What are your next projects? I will participate in this live customization organized by MTV Italy and I work on new designs of toys read of animation projects. I also have an anthology of my comics at L. and Beck will take 150 sketchels on his tour. The last movie you have seen on the plane I draw a lot when I'm on the plane, it's the best time, so I do not look at movies. The last new meal you have done My Japanese hosts made me taste whale sushi in Tokyo. The last tee-shirt you have worn My Florida Florida Mickey Mouse T-Shirt The last gift you have received A bunch of new CDS on the part of the management of Beck The last piece you have listened to in a loop I often have a piece in Heavy Rotation on my iPod that I play again and again, and so the recently I listened to Just like Honey of Jesus and Mary Chain. This is the end song in Lost in Translation. The last concept you saw where you said "why I did not think about it before" CLARK MAGAZINE! They're the best ! The cartoon without words that you prefer Frank by Jim Woodring and The Ticking by Renee French. What's worth it in 2007? Keep time for oneself. It becomes rare. BE @ RBRICK OR QEE? Gardenergy Kidrobot clothes or toys? Both of the illustrated novels or comic books? Seth, Adrian Tomine, Clows, Woodring, Herg, Chester Brown, Crumb. Secret Gargamel gold base? Ren and stimpy Manga gold anime? Akira Kurosawa's movies in black and white Toys in vinyl or plastic abs? Stainless steel. Air Force One or Dunks? Converser high tops The Simpsons or Family Guy? Southpark Color variant or unique piece? A whole new form