Adrenaline: Interview with Artist Dog Byte

Aug 18, 2010 | Comments 5

Jackstronauts by Dog Byte

Social purpose, unlikely imagery and surges of creativity is the common thread that weaves the tapestry of Los Angeles artist DogByte’s work together. His inventive juxtapositions of assembled visuals illustrate the vulnerabilities and sometimes failings of our humanity and society as a whole. He heeds warning not with a scolding finger but with humor, wit, disciplined craft and inspired creativity. Whether it is addressing war, our appetite for materialism or our selfish lack of concern for the environment we live in, DogByte’s work addresses these issues with digestible, clever concepts and a great understanding of the street as a medium for his work.

Although his work generally deals with the effects of greed and over reaching institutions , his work also forks into other directions likes his cast a of characters he has created, most notably “The Sensei” and “Jackstonaut”. The “Sensei”, adorned in clown makeup and nose makes his home on walls and power boxes all over Los Angeles,.The “Sensei” is light hearted and a welcome balance to the seriousness nature of the issues that plague our world. Humor as a tool for healing and coping.

Whereas the Sensei is an icon of healing, “Jackstronaut” projects a metaphor of hope. This beautiful stencil of Los Angeles icon of cool Jack Nicholson, the actors actor, the artist, wearing a space helmet, prepared to journey into the unknown, into the stars where risk is lives but potential is unlimited.

Where did the name dog byte come from?

Before I was involved in street art I worked as a musician. After about 10 years of constant touring and recording I started to make the switch from working in music to graphic design. As I worked more and more as a designer I created my own design business and titled it “dog byte design”. Around 2004-2005 I was no longer playing music and was working full time as a graphic designer. The more removed I was from music the more I missed the adrenaline and immediate audience response of playing live shows. It was also around this time that I cut and painted my first few stencils. Getting my art up on the street was the closest thing I felt to the energy and rush of performing. It felt natural to sign my work “dog byte” or “db”. So to answer your simple question I chose dog byte only because the names cat cult and shark toof were already taken.

What are 5 words that best describe you?
Passionate
Enigmatic
Observant
Inspired
Grateful

What is something that you think people would be surprised to know about you?
I once worked as a car salesman at a Nissan dealership in Manhattan. I was awful.

Your Ad Here, By Dog Byte

What are the three significant events that have impacted you and why?
The 2 most significant events that have impacted me are the passing of my father at age 10 and the loss of my brother when I was 19. As a teenager dealing with such trauma I had very little in common with my peers. The normal things my friends were dealing with (cars, girls, partying, college) all seemed trivial. This is when I found an outlet in playing the guitar. Not realizing it, this was also the time I started to become an artist. I played guitar all night and day for years. It was my voice, and my escape. The guitar was something I had control over. The more I put into it the more I got out of it. The same is true today in regards to my street artwork.

On a much lighter note another significant event occurred when I realized the maturity and discipline I gained as a musician was still relevant when I started creating work as an artist. Painting and design was the same thing as music only shapes and colors replaced instruments and melodies.

How do you hope people will perceive your art and you as an artist?
As an artist I try not to think too much about this. Sometimes that is easier said than done. In reality I have no control over how people perceive my art. I refuse to give others the power to determine if something I have created is successful.

Ducking the Truth, by Dogbyte

Tell me about the genesis of the duck with the gas mask?
The duck with the gas mask titled “ducking the truth” is a concept that is trying to make a statement about the disregard we have for our environment. I chose a duck because, to me, they are harmless and symbolize a certain innocence that we are at risk of losing. It’s a glimpse into the future if we don’t start changing our behavior. I first created “ducking the truth” a few years ago. With all that is going on with the BP oil spill I feel it is more relevant than ever. I have recently created a few new variations and have been putting them up all over L.A. Another piece I have created with a similar concept is titled “singing in the rain.” My “singing in the rain” has Gene Kelly wearing a gas mask. Like “ducking the truth” this also symbolizes an end of innocence.

What is the most embarrassing thing you like?
Nope. You will never get this information out of me.

“The Sensei is one of your definitive pieces, could you tell me the origins and the meaning of this piece?

Everybody at some point in their lives ends up fighting or struggling against something. The traditional sensei teachers us discipline and to use combat as a way for us to protect ourselves. My “Sensei Humor” is attempting to teach us that sometimes the best defense we have is a strong sense of humor.

If you had unlimited resources, what would you do differently as an artist?

I wish I had a bigger studio space. I would love to be able to work on multiple pieces at one time and really have the space to throw paint around and experiment. Space has become more of an issue recently as the stencils I have been creating are much larger and consist of multiple layers. Another benefit would be the ability to travel and work with different artists from around the world. Other than that I enjoy the challenge of getting past my limitations and using them as a positive.

Nowhere Tanks by Dog Byte

What motivates/inspires you as an artist?
I’m inspired to keep constantly growing and evolving as both an artist and a person.
I’m motivated to continue to get art up in cities across the country or even around the world.

If they wrote a book on your life, what quote by you would you want on the back cover?
“Biographies are so cliche”

For more on Dogbyte:

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogbytedesign/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dogbyte01