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Off the Books Livingroom Johnston, author, artist and self-described lizard wants you to go to his “paintshow” opening. A master of transformations -- Zoo York skater, dreadlocked spoken-word poet and fedora-wearing veteran are some of his incarnations -- Livingroom Johnston's latest metamorphosis has been into a one-man art industry. Whether peddling self-published novels narrated by Harlem Farfromsquare from a briefcase, appearing on “10 Years” alongside The Propellerheads off 2003’s Wall of Sound compilation or opening his first “paintshow” at Halcyon this weekend, all such endeavors sprout from the same Bronx-bred terra firma: his remarkably unique personality. It’s not just the haberdashery of alligator-skin shoes, blazers, headwear and his customary Brooklyn Lagers and Marlboro Reds – Livingroom is a dude who blends creativity with acute observation, skewed analysis and a pinch of paranoia. If we had more time, we’d talk about sitting on a Fort Greene stoop at 6 AM while he disassembled 5% numerology and recounted stories about rolling with the cadre of Washington Square Park skaters in the early 90’s. Anyway, this interview was conducted in a hurry via email to make sure it got online before his show. Yeah, we’re sort of cheating you. We’ll knock out a real one sometime soon, we promise. Anyway, go to the art show and cop his book, “I Don’t Want To Think About It Right Now” on Magic Propaganda Mill. Larry Clark tapped directly into your circle of friends when he cast The 1995 film "Kids". How accurately did he portray the lifestyle of that community in the movie? Harmony actually wrote it. From what I saw, everyone in the flick acted as themselves, except for the story line, plot, etc. I had quit skating and changed my style completely, one of the reasons my part was only a few seconds. Through skateboarding. We were like a family. Many from broken homes. Many from stable homes. Do you think the spirit of that community still exists in New York? How did the deaths of both Justin Pierce and Harold Hunter affect the "alumni" of that scene? That is a question I will not answer because it is related to a lot of people with their own opinions. It would be dangerous for me to answer. So...I’ll leave that alone. What inspired the transition from skater to novelist? I always wanted to write. Even when I skated. I knew I wouldn’t be skating for the rest of my life. The next step after skating is the business end, if one has what it takes to survive in that world. I wasn’t interested, which led to the transition. When were you convinced that you were good enough write for a living? When I got sick of working shit jobs and had to come up with money for the bills. I went for it without thinking about it. How important was your experience as a spoken word poet? Very. I will admit I changed a lot of people’s lives. Some wouldn’t be doing what they do if we were not at the same places at the same times. You've been known to crank out books in a matter of days. How intense is that process? It’s actually a lot of fun. One does not have to talk to anyone. You can create your own world. Ha, ha, ha! Livingroom Johnson is frequently a character in your novels – how autobiographical is your work? It is "self fiction". Which means that nothing actually happened in my life that is in the books. It’s what could have happened in similar settings. Have you ever run into issues where other people recognize themselves in your books? Yeah...when the character had nothing to do with them. People can be selfish and really into themselves. To a point where they would actually think I would waste my time writing about them. As someone who publishes his own work and peddles it from a briefcase, you clearly value self-reliance. Was that by choice or necessity? Necessity. In order to get shit done it’s best to do it your damn self. Shit. Do you recommend self-publishing for other aspiring writers? From selling your own books to hustling artwork, you've never been shy about mixing art and commerce. Have you made any compromises as a result? Yeah. Underselling. But I know I can make more shit to sell. It’s not always about the money. It’s about the love of the process of making art, books, etc. You've collaborated with artists such as Murs and the Propellerheads -- is there any criteria you're looking for in such artistic relationships? No, I like good music. If someone is good and they want to work together I am interested. Especially if they are profession and get shit done on time. That is what I like about Murs and the Prop’s. With a gators, a suit, a fedora and an affinity for the phrase "right on!", I'm guess you're occasionally mistaken for a pimp. Any good stories you'd like to share? Tell these motherfuckers why they should check out your art show. It’s on Saturday July 8th at Halycon in Dumbo, Brooklyn. 57 Pearl Street. At the corner of Water and Earl Streets. F train to York Street. Walk down the hill and make a left at the construction site. There will be some shit in there man has never seen before. A side of Livingroom Johnston that will make people not want to leave ever! Free drinks too. So come on down with a lot of love. A bit of cash too. Kidding again. It’s going to be fun though. Read more articles in Arts » |
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