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Interview for 33.
Questions are same as always.
Thanks.
Shin
1. Please tell us about the brand establishment (time and member and reason, etc.)
Spacetime was established in London UK in the summer of 1988, and we had 2 shops in London Soho, and Piccadilly Circus. Spacetime was a reflection of the acid house and underground party scene in London. It was a very exciting time for me, and gave me the high energy and confidence to evolve my art and design into product that resonated with the youth culture of that period in London and europe. My main areas of design at that time were holography and electronic music
2. Please tell us circumstances from establishment to present.
Spacetime has always been a kind of travelling design studio. I established in London, and in 1992 I re-located the studios to San Francisco, and changed the name to Deep Spacetime, to represent my feelings for more 3 dimensional experiments with holography, and my sudden interest in the up and coming digital design possiblities and the internet that was cutting edge technology in San Francisco. The San Francisco period transformed into another studio re-location around 1996, this time to Ashikaga in Japan, where I could experience a very new vision, and immerse myself in all the fantastic traditional techniques of japanese design. Japan has remained a visual and cultural wonderland for me to this day. In 2000, I took time out from Spacetime and worked for Ozone Rocks, that gave me a good education in japanese fashion system. Now in 2006 I have returned to my roots of Spacetime, with more detemination and vigour.
3. What is the origin of the name of SPACETIME?
Spacetime origin came from my studies of holography in London, researching about astro physics and quantuum theory, the word spacetime kept appearing to me. I took it as a message, a mantra for my life work. On the other hand it also has a very psychedelic and mysterious vibration for me. I guess, as a kid, (and even today), I was always wondering about where humans came from, who is God??how big is space and the solar system?? where is heaven?? what happens when we die, and stuff like that. I have always been a space cake!!
4. What is the concept and the theme of SPACETIME?
There is no one concept, the theme is changing as I also progress in life and my imagination. But, I always have a sense of automatic design, that comes from art school training. I am very interested in structures that have been created without any aesthetic quality, for example: Oil Rigs, heavy plant machinery, but in a way I see a sense of beauty in all things. Also, my theme is closely connected to the metaphysical world, spirits, feelings that you cannot explain, So I guess my concept is very semi-conscious.,like that feeling you have just before you are falling asleep, and the visonary world of the imagination is set free.
5. What is the your feelings about design and the print?
Currently, I am very interested in the effects of mixing high and low tech methods.I am obviously bored with the sterility of designs created purely by computer. So many times, we just see stuff that is too perfect. I purposely use methods to create a higher vibration in design. All my font work is hand drawn, symmetry of design is distorted, and I hand cut and print all my silk screens by myself. I prefer accidental effects in print making, I think it enhances my communication. And my color sense is a reference to my punk teen age years. I like chaos, visual cut ups as homage to William Burroughs. I am not interested in trend fashion at all, I want my design to resonate with my customers, so we have a feeling of unity, and we are kind of special.
6. Please tell us about the music that has been released.
In the 1990s I was keyboard player for The Shamen, and we released many records, I enjoyed top ten hits and number 1 sales all over the world. I have been working with Jonah Sharp/Reflective records from 1982 (when we studuied at the same art school), until the present day. We are currently producing a new album for Reflective Records, based on analogue tape recordings we made in 1982-85.
I also record and perform solo in Japan as Ken Machines, which is completely 100% analogue. http://www.kenmachines.com
7. Please tell us the relation between music and the wear for SPACETIME.
Well, musically I have always been obsessed with modular analogue synthesizers, sequencers,drum machines, vocoders, and any real analogue equipment. My music is made with these kinds of instruments. This enables me to make a very organic and unique sound, and to create moods that have never been made before. Music is a very important part of the human experience. Music is sound. Sound is a magical energy, but where does it exist?? Why is music and sound such a powerful senastion for humans, and in fact other species like birds, whales, cold -blooded and warm -bloded creatures of this world? The relation t of music and design wear for Spacetime is the system I use to create Its more analogue than digital. By using these delicate and time consuming techniques I create a more human and warm atmosphere, be it music or fashion.
8. What is the wear for you?
Something to look great in when you wear it. A feeling of individuality, because Spacetime is not mass produced fashion. Also a feeling of tribe, there are Spacetime maniacs all over the world, people have been married wearing Spacetime, and people have died in it too. And Spacetime has some kind of political message, so we can show our feelings about modern day life.
9.What are you interested recently.
Solar power, and I want to buy a huge truck , and install my analogue studio in it, with a full on sound system, then tour around Japan with Spacetime Circus show. And I am interested in making a farm and design studios in a Minka somehere in the deep countryside.
10.What are the activity schedule, the release schedule, and the view in the future?
Spacetime will be issuing a collection of deep recycled wear for men. This is based on classic mens tailoring techniques, distorted by my sense of styling, it wil be more high price, and its going to rock!!! At the same time, we are going slowly, not to follow trend feeling, but just release when the time is right, and happy with designs. View of future, it is really concerned with the whole world, and stupid games being played by authority and governments. Spacetime is definitely in favour of worldpeace, so our view of the future, is harmony, peace, enlightenment, health for all, and clean the planet, or else we are fucked up.
11.Please introduce the web page. URL?
http://www.spacetime-online.com
spacetime brand concept
SPRING 2006
Not to follow fashion trends, spacetime is an expression of my artistic sense and philosophy. Mixing high technology with traditional low technology craft techniques, to produce designs that resonate with human spirit, accidental effects and chance chaos. This results into a series of designs, where no 2 pieces are exactly the same, because I print every piece myself, so its up to me how the design progresses.I give my customers a unique item just for themselves, which is against the idea of mass-produced fashion and follow the crowd.
Images are associated with a world view, a form of protest against War, industrial destruction of the planet earths life support system,modern mans complacency and slaveish devotion to an easy disposable lifestyle, mixed with mystical references to Visionary artist William Blake, space-travel, found objects, dreams and my own imagination.
Images are developed in a style I call Pop -Pyschedelics, they have references to new York pop art culture, combined with all ages of psychedelia, mixing colors and images in a surreal fashion. The end result is a synergy of protest and beauty.
The clothing design is based on my experience of London tailoring and european style. But transormed by deep deconstruction to make clothes that have a familiar feeling, yet have a fresh and unique sense. My designs for pants, jackets and outerwear also combine my experience of Punk rock and the acid house revolution of London in the 1990s, and my development in San Francisco, with new age psychedelia and digital technology.
My brand is starting from simple, clean line tops, tee shirts and more sophisticated london style shirts, featuring my clash style print effects. This first series is called STEALTH CLOWN DEFENCE TEAM. As I progress I will introduce a fuller range of clothing and accessories for a more questioning and demanding customer.
Love and peace
Richard A. Sharpe
designer for Spacetime, Deep Spacetime and Ken Machines.