EAST Interview: Morgan Coy of Monofonus Studios

To beg the obvious question, good sir: Why do you think collaboration across media is so important?

Collaboration is important because it happens whether we want to admit it or not, so I think it’s more fun and interesting to bring it out into the light and celebrate it, instead of creating an illusion that there are super people who can do everything by themselves.

Well on that note, please describe your printing press for us...where so much of the cross-collaborative magic happens.

I was going to say that I wish that we had a printing press, but the reality is that I am really glad that we don’t have that massive machinery to manage. We have a black and white Xerox machine that we bought from the Restore, and a silk screen press, but we work with local printers in town to put together our books and printed matter. So… our printing press looks like this… Ginny’s Printing, Wind River Press, and Sixth Street Printing. Between those three local places, we have gotten so much great work done. It makes us happy to live in a city where we have access to their skills and machines.

What excites you about the Austin art scene?

Austin’s art scene is exploding with people and work. The energy of it all is pretty overwhelming, but in a way that is also inspiring. Being on the producing and promoting side of art, it’s hard to find the time to go out and see everything that’s out there, but it could be worse, it could be a wasteland.

The other thing that I think is really great is that artists here tend to say "yes" to collaborating on projects. There’s a great spirit of involvement and contribution here. I don’t think that spirit exists everywhere.

Which other artists in E.A.S.T. are you looking forward to visiting?

I will be locked down over at Monofonus Studios for most of the tour, so I probably won’t get out to see too much. I will go over and see the group show that’s at Art Palace, the book show that’s at Okay Mountain, and the plethora of work and happenings that are going on right down the block from us at Co-Lab. I’ll do some exploring too, and ask people who come around what they’ve seen, maybe get some leads that way.

Since you'll be on lock down, what will people be able to see when they tour your studio?

This year at Monofonus Press, we are going installation and video heavy for E.A.S.T. in the warehouse space. The centerpiece of the space will be a blacklight Pinball arena that will be created by Drew Liverman, Max Juren, and Matt Rebholz. The Bride of Pinbot (one of the best pinball machines ever built) will become part of an interactive stage including a live video feed, glowing tape, and elevation. The game will be free to play, and whoever gets the highest score at the end of the weekend will win a prize.

Ed Davis, who is a supremely talented screen printer (especially when it comes to darkly psychedelic and occult images) said that he plans on making some blacklight posters to complement the pinball installation.

In addition to that, we are also really excited to exhibit an installation that has aged and fermented with time, by Andy Rihn. Last year, he created an installation that explored the relationship between fresh cocktail pickles and cigarette butts. We knew then that we were interested in seeing what happened to the installation as the pickle decomposed and passed through time. Too many installations aren’t allowed to naturally decay like we allowed this one to do, and I think the result was worth the wait. If you saw the installation last year, you should come back and see how it has grown and changed. Even if you missed it last year, you should swing by.

We will also have a video that Wiley Wiggins recently made, and there are some other video goodies that will be there to experience.

For all the folks walking, biking, and driving around who want to see inside artist studios, Jules Buck Jones’ studio will be open, with some of this new work displayed on the walls. He just completed his Artist in Residence in Everglades, Everglades National Park, and his new work represents the swamp and the animals that live there with beautiful intensity.

Matt Rebholz, whose work just appeared at the International Fine Print Dealer’s fair at the Armory in New York City, will also show several of his new works. His work is amazingly detailed and visionary.

Michelle Devereaux’s studio will be open as well. We recently put out a book of hers, which showcases her many skills, sense of humor, and vast creativity. She’s made a few pieces that will be down the street at Co-Lab, but she’ll be around Monofonus too.

Colleen Matzke’s studio will also be open for the tour. She has been deeply involved in creating custom designed terrariums for the past year, and they are very cool living capsules of art. She consistently makes beautiful art that’s off of the beaten path.

Red Start Paint Design also might be showing a thing or two. Their work is awe-inspiring, though sadly, we don’t have any of it on our walls yet. Here’s their website.

Thanks for chatting with us, Morgan!