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| Gawk >> Cardboard Robot |
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How do I write an intro for an interview with the heads of one of the neatest and yet hardest to put to words indie company I've had the pleasure of interviewing. I'm going to fall back on a snip from their own bio - really. 'What started as an 8mm film short about the excessive age of technology and the individual's increasing ability to segregate from the idea that we may all be a very integral part of nature, has developed into something more. The name Cardboard Robot, with production of tank barrettes, limited edition posters, architecturally inspired recyclable furniture and minimalist clothing. It's hard to put a finger on this unique brand. Over the years Cardboard Robot has produced an array of gallery shows that promote film, live music, and outside artists collaborating together for a common purpose. That purpose generally stems from a political and social awareness.' What was your inspiration for making the short film that started it all? Mason: Well, I was at the point where I was ready for something new. A new medium I guess. I was working with people collaborating on various things and was ready for it... I basically said that I was going to make a movie, and I did. It was kind of that simple. The premise of the film was to address the excessive age of technology and an individuals increasing ability to segregate from the idea that we may all be a very integral part of nature. We traveled to different cities to drive this point home, most people didn’t seem to notice a person wheat pasting in a robot suit in the larger cities, which made me realize that I wasn’t crazy and the point I was trying to get across was now more significant than ever. As a result I wanted to do more and more to drive my point home… So the whole project started as a short, how did this evolve into making clips and shirts and the like? Mason: Well I guess there was so much support around me and there really wasn't a lot of indie art brands so the timing was perfect. I had a lot of people backing me so I knew I was on to something. I needed to take it to the next level to keep it going. |
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Can you describe for me what it is that Cardboard Robot does? ROB: Cardboard Robot the brand offers people an idea that everyone has these certain freedoms that we forget about. CBR exploits these and brings them to your face. Whether it's a Deer Hunter hooded sweatshirt or the Kill Yourself Tee, I want to make my freedom of speech well understood to my customer. And hopefully I give them what they want and not something that was forced down their throats. We also want to make people think, not give them our opinion so much but thru art make them ponder what is going on in the world. Tell me about the furniture! (Unless you mentioned it in another question) Who pieces these chairs and such together? MASON: The furniture came naturally. I was able to get the materials pretty easily. I was making anything I could out of cardboard. I made them all by hand. People really appreciate hand made things in this new age of technology. |
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How big is the project now, how many people do have working with you now? MASON / ROB: We have a great team now. About 10 people and various friends working with us on and off. Its not too big though. Gotta keep it grass roots. Although we are recruiting an army of street teamers to get our message out please refer to our mission statement and you can print that. Do you make/design merch for other people (band/whatever shirts, for example)? ROB: If we are into the band we will try to put something together for them. I am always open to new ideas, and new ways to market the brand. Our art has a heavy musical influence and if we can cross promote with bands and musicians that we feel embody the ideas of the brand we will. |
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