5 QUESTIONS WITH RICHARD PRINCE

Posted on | June 14, 2008 |

 

The controversial artist talks to Dejour about his most recent project, a collaboration with Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. By Gabrielle Swan.

How did Marc Jacobs approach you about doing the collaboration for his spring 2008 collection for Louis Vuitton, were you immediately interested, or did he have to do some convincing?
Marc and I met at lunch at the Carlyle Hotel. He asked me if I’d like to do some things for Louis Vuitton. I was flattered, intrigued, curious, and at the end of the lunch, excited. I liked the idea of having a job.

I read that your inspirations for the designs came from “Louis Vuitton After Dark”. What does that mean, and how did you come to that direction?
The idea of After Dark came from a series of paperback books I’d been collecting. There’s this whole series that highlight different cities in the world and talk about what you can do in those cities after dark… I would describe these books as “adult”.

I quite enjoy your collection of work entitled, “joke”. The handbags seem to take on similar characteristics. How did you come up with the text for the bags?
I’ve worked with about 100 jokes over the past 20 years. I still have some on silkscreens. What I had, I sent Marc. Most of the jokes have to do with women…

As an artist who is famous for turning ordinary items, into pieces of art, what do you think will come out of your jaunt into the world of fashion with Louis Vuitton?
I ended up seeing the handbag as architecture…something purposeful as well as decorative… I enjoy getting into areas/situations that I have no knowledge about. I would describe my experience in fashion as zero experience… starting at zero is a good place to start..

I read that you are an avid collector, and that your inspiration for your art is derived from the items you are collecting. What are you collecting right now, and what will be seeing from you in the near future?
I collect books, art, and furniture. Right now I’m concentrating on certain pieces of furniture that will function as a “pedestal” for my work. For example, I’ll be permanently attaching art work to say… a sideboard or cabinet or desk….

Richard’s work can be seen at www.richardprinceart.com.

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