Essen

ESSEN (2002 - ) http://www.thisishowwedo.comEssen was started in 2002 in Berkeley, California by Nathaniel Russell and Simone Rubi. A bond was formed when the two found that their backgrounds in opposing yet complimentary craft could be merged in order to create a new style of design and lend itself to a more focused way of life. Essen wants to bring back the element of the human hand in an age of mechanized printing and mass-marketed consumer culture while utilizing the tools and methods offered by contemporary technologies. This involves Rubi (who had a background in art direction, music packaging, graphic design with an emphasis in fashion, web design, gardening, and a love of furniture and twin ESP) and Russell (who had a background in fine art and printmaking with an emphasis on letterpress and silkscreen) learning from each other's methods and personal aesthetics while blending the "digital eye with the clumsy hand, embracing the happy accidents and good mistakes."Since the beginning, their focus has been on limited edition posters, one-of-a-kind handmade art and installation, murals, wood cut-outs of animals and people, unique graphic and web design, performance haircuts, and song (both Rubi and Russell write, record, and perform music under the name "Rubies," "Call and Response," and "Birds of America" respectively).Essen is influenced by everything you are: music, design, art, pop culture, and nature. Essen is trying to explore the meaning and context of craft in today's artistic and cultural climate.Essen is an all-encompassing project blurring art, life, and design. Essen would like to come to your town to sing you songs, make you a poster, and cook you breakfast.Together and as individuals they have exhibited and performed in museums, galleries, airports, and nightclubs across the world, with upcoming appearances in Sweden, Norway, Berlin, London, and Paris.