Seizer One

Back in early 2010, there were rumors that a documentary film was going to be released about street art superstar, Banksy. As we all know, Exit Through The Gift Shop is essentially a 90 minute running joke about the art world.

However, the film did highlight some amazing street art, and one artist we got a glimpse of was Seizer One.

Seizer One is a prolific poster, who has been around the LA street art scene since 2003. His signature imagery is a simplified face that he replicates on some of the most obtuse, but highly visible, urban areas. In many ways, it is the genius of Seizer's placements, that boost this artist to a new level.

The icon is also rather agnostic, allowing the user to take an abstract expressionism approach to interpreting it. There's no message, no agenda, and no identity. In many ways, the Seizer icon represents all of us.

Beyond this iconic image, he has recently moved into the realm of prints and clothing due to demand. We got a chance to ask this mysterious artist a few questions:

First, I have to ask, is that your face?

Well, yes and no. The icon that is most well-known is based off of a self portrait.

However, it has been changed dramatically.
I first created an 8.5" X 11" poster using a sharpie and a white-out pen. I used the photograph for reference but I was most interested in the general shapes of the highlights.

As time went on I needed to create larger versions, I also wanted the dimensions of the shapes to be synonymous throughout, whether in stencil form, sticker, or poster. I created a highly stylized vector version sometime in 2003.

My intention was to create an image of a face that is ambiguous. I encourage the user to observe, create, and develop their own idea of who or what the icon is.

At the root of it all, it is a pretty simple desire to put an image out in the world and see what happens.

I think it's also been a test of what is possible for me, for an individual, and for an artist.

Most people try to find some celebrity, Charles Manson, Eminem, Chris Martin, one of the Beastie Boys, and even Mick Jones of the Clash.

I've had a few people upon meeting me in real life tell me they thought I was Black.

Would you call it a logo, or does it serve a higher purpose?

I call it an icon but I have also adapted it and embrace it as my logo for my art and design work.

I would say it definitely serves a higher purpose than just a logo. That has been a blessing and a challenge for me.

When it's in the street it's alive and available for the taking. When it's on my business card it says, hey, I am dedicated, and consistent. Sometimes I do think it's all just an advertisement. Especially now that I am starting to sell prints, and clothing with the icon on it.

I try to choose unique placements to differentiate the icon from an advertising logo but I could see how one could see it as the same thing. One of the biggest challenges has been that people end up wanting the icon as art.

I don't sit around and draw this mysterious face over and over. My art is more illustration, collage, and mixed media. Balancing this has been difficult for me.

Are you addicted to street art?

I hope not, but isn't denial the first sign of addiction? I really don't like the term street artist, but I've succumb to hash-tags and identifying myself as one. When I think of street art, I think of Blu or Banksy, or even Space invader.

Someone who does something really original.

I think what I've done is just poster art, and/or just vandalism. I do have an obsession with Graffiti, but the fines for putting up posters is far
less than those of graffiti, so I chose an alternate medium.

I also think that posters and stickers are more accessible to a larger audience.

Your known for choosing 'high-profile' places to paste your icon. Do you think the best street artists are the boldest?

I think the best street artist is the most known street artist.

So yes, the most visible, and the most talked about is the most rewarding to me.

The ones that last are cool too and generally the higher you go, the less chance someone's going to climb up there to buff it.

Have you ever fallen or gotten injured on the job?

Yea for sure. Aside from the many cuts and bruises and just being sore the next morning I've sustained a couple good ones. One of the most remarkable was in 2007. Buff and I were out doing our thing. I had scouted this billboard that was right next to a building. The billboard had an advertisement on it but there was a large area of wall just beneath it.

I climbed up on top of the roof, down the back of the billboard and started doing my thing. I had finished up tiling about 6 smaller posters, and as I walked across the catwalk made of 2" X 6"s and steel, the wood just disintegrated out from under me. As I feel through my natural reaction was to put my arms out and I found myself suspended by just the two small pieces of steel that made the frame of the catwalk.

I had dropped all my supplies but probably saved myself from a 30 ft fall to broken legs or ankles. Thankfully, far more close calls than actual injuries.

Do you see yourself as a fine artist?

No, but I'm working on it. I hold a pretty high definition of fine artist, and it starts with painting and or making art everyday which I don't. I declared to make a living from my creativity years ago, and I've been really successful so far.

Now I just need to declare to make a living from my art. I think it's only a matter of time.

I don't just make work. I wait until someone wants a piece, then we talk, and then I make art. I am the happiest when I am in the process, but I haven't figured how to "just make art".

That's really ironic, I just remembered one commissioned piece I did that literally said "Make Art" in the center of it. Sometimes you can't read what's right in front of your face.

Do you want to be embraced into the gallery scene?

I do want to be embraced by the gallery scene. I think that will fulfill that dream of making a living from my art. I think I just need to make more art. I've sold nearly everything I've ever made which I think is pretty remarkable.

But then when people hit me up and want to peruse my studio, there is nothing in there but saw dust and paint stains. And I am horrible at documenting my work.

All I have left of my most remarkable pieces are crappy cell phone pics.

Did your clip in 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' lead to anything?

Yes of course. First off, it's incredible that out of the thousands of artists that Thierry documented, I was featured.

I'd love to know who made that decision. I'd also like to have all the footage that he shot of me, so if anyone reading this knows how to obtain it, let me know.

I think the most obvious thing gained from the film is recognition. Art wise, Seth Rogen commissioned a piece from me soon after, that was pretty awesome.

He said he couldn't believe that I was in an Oscar nominated film before him.

Who would be a dream collaboration for you to work with?

Tough question. I'd like to go on art tour with FAILE, BUFF MONSTER, LAMOUR SUPREME, TRUSTCO, and Mr MIKE GIANT. We're going to need a pretty big bus. A flying bus.

There are so many artists that I admire but I think I could learn a lot from FAILE regarding their process and technique. I only have a few of my limited edition prints left, edition of 100 signed and numbered on eggshell.

This print is taken from the top layer of the collage piece that I did for Seth Rogen. Click on the "shop" link on my website.