“DUO” Interview with CYRCLE

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CYRCLE is a two-man collective made up of, American artists David Leavitt (Davey Detail) and David Torres (Rabi), born out of Los Angeles, California in 2010. Their artwork focuses on life, duality, and the human condition combined with the aesthetic consideration of form, typeface, color, and balance which is what creates their “signature” style.

Thinkspace Gallery in collaboration with Berlin’s Urban Nation, is pleased to present DUO, a group exhibition featuring works by internationally acclaimed contemporary art duos. The following is an exclusive Sour Harvest interview with CYRCLE.

CYRCLE face paint

How did you two first meet and decide to collaborate together?
We met in Los Angeles at a 4th of July rooftop party 2007 I think. There were literally fireworks, it was the gayest of times :). We spent years hanging out and developing the friendship. Painting and creating together had many ups and downs. It wasn’t until 2010 that we focused our experiences in life together into CYRCLE.


What inspires you or where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration comes in all shapes, sizes, sounds, and smells.  It’s interesting where an idea can come from. By nature from birth we are absorbing information and spewing shit back out, so it makes sense that it’s just a combination of what we have learned and know (or think we know) plus feel, plus want to say. Fuck man there’s no way to answer this question without sounding pretentious, lol, but its true. It’s deep. Sometimes we think we don’t have a choice in the matter at all. We can say most recently our interest is in science and religion. Faith and Fact. What is truth?


How do you two work through conflict when creating a cohesive vision?
Basically, Davey has a very passive way of saying no, it’s kinda like saying yes but not really. Where as when I see something I don’t like I’m like FUCK NO! Fire and ice.  We value each other’s opinions so it usually just takes a cigarette or two.


What is your process for collaborating, does one artist do xyz and the other abc? Please elaborate.
Our creative process is always evolving. We have uniquely different skills. Ideas are selected based on who has the superior or best-refined concept. This varies from project to project. Usually, we start with a word or defining statement which catalyzes the creative process. We tend to think thematically and tediously dissect a concept in depth which then informs the art, it’s medium, composition, and aesthetic. We treat our exhibitions as if a fashion collection, each story is like a new season, with a unique inspiration. We like to create cohesive body’s of work, that make sense when viewed in entirety or seen as a collection. With that said, we both inform each other of ideas that help explain the narrative. Davey’s strengths are in design and Rabi’s in painting and execution. We balance each other well, we have a symbiotic relationship. We are yin and yang.


Do you remember your first wall? Or have a good story to share from when you were doing a mural together…
We can Remember our first really big wall in LA. It was on Bedrock studios in Echo Park.  It took over a month and basically killed us. We would have nightmares about it getting buffed, or torn down by an earthquake. So funny. Now a days its another day at the office, a wall that size will take a week. We’ve come a long way, in what feels like a very short time.


If you could live in a movie for a day, what would it be? Would you be yourself or a specific character?
RABI- Bill Murray, Groundhogs Day.
Davey- Same.

Anything else you would like to share? Next big project?


View new work from CYRCLE during our opening reception for “DUO” Saturday, February 27th from 6 -9 pm. For additional information on the exhibit please visit Thinkspace Gallery’s website; if you’d like to receive a preview of the show make sure to sign up for the Thinkspace Gallery mailing list.

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