Exploration. Expression. Duality. CYRCLE.
David Leavitt and David Torres, aka Davey Detail and Rabi, are the Los Angeles-based creative duo known as CYRCLE.
Forming in 2010 in California, CYRCLE. represents the balance of duality – Davey a futurist, and Rabi a traditionalist – and as they explained, their partnership and their work, creates the present.
Their work has explored a plethora of themes from looking into existence and the human condition, to creation, magic, and race. In 2011, they held their first solo exhibition and presented their manifesto for that show, which has become their go-to point of artistic reference:
We left our families, We abandoned our homes, We worked for nothing, We slept on floors, We partied hard, We lost our minds, We danced with the devil, We faced our fears, We swallowed our pride, We gave our hearts, We tried and failed, We followed our dreams, We are CYRCLE, We never die!
They are relentless in exploring the possibilities that different mediums, as well as thematic exploration, has to offer and have exhibited worldwide, from Vienna to Puerto Rico. The exploration and richness is evident in their work. Capture the Flag: The Domestication of All Things, a nod to the duality of human conflict, and is a striking piece of street art. Magic is Real is a 12,0002 ft. mural in LA, where ‘Magic is Real!’ towers over spectators. Their recent work, Nothing Exists! was an interrogative exercise for existentialism: is nothing something? It explored science, religion as well as duality, where these concepts were visually expressed through space related iconography and typography on glow in the dark pieces, installations and sculptures. Exhibited this June in Montreal, Canada’s Station16 Gallery, Nothing Exists! was another addition to their unique, thought provoking and philosophically aligned work.
We spoke to Davey and Rabi about their exploration and expression of duality, their message, why we should rethink power and why magic can be real.
fluoro. How did you both come together to form CYRCLE?
Davey & Rabi. We met on a rooftop at a party in Echo Park a neighborhood of Los Angeles. We instantly clicked and were keen on working together artistically. We started an art collective called The Fear in 2008 to no avail, but it allowed for change and growth and eventually brought us back together to form CYRCLE in 2010 with then Devin Liston. Devin parted ways in 2012 and we (Davey and Rabi) have continued as a duo.
f. How has your style evolved since you first came together?
D&R. Our style has in some ways stayed true to its original ingredients, yet ever so more refined. We have learned to simplify, which allows for more effective communication of meaning, concept and composition.
f. What do you think makes you such a strong team, a true yin and yang?
D&R. Davey is a futurist and Rabi is a traditionalist. Together we create the present, the moment(s).
f. How does your practice merge the best of both worlds (design and conceptual art)?
D&R. We do agree they are the best of both visual worlds. Design is the composition and conceptual art is the message. Together they equate to visual education. We conceptualise first and design second, testing both with mutual respect.
f. Tell us about ‘order and chaos’ and its importance in your work.
D&R. Ahh chaos and order, the great dualities, the perfect paring of polarities. One can’t exist without the other. They are the ingredients for a harmonious existence, the main ingredients for life. Without order nothing can exist, but without chaos nothing can evolve.
f. Why do you feel it’s important to represent the vulnerable in some of your pieces?
D&R. At our core, we are best when vulnerable. We become teachable which allows for growth. This, we believe is the primary purpose of life. Ultimately it is one’s evolution throughout the duration of life that matters. The overcoming of obstacles, the growing pains, the failures and the triumphs – these are what make life magical. When we are vulnerable we have the opportunity to grow, to change, to evolve. We are always growing and must be constantly reminded to stay humble so that we can carry the message through our work … Each one teaches another.
f. What process do you follow to be able to translate a message visually?
D&R. We start with a conversation that leads to a concept, and a statement that then informs the aesthetics of what we create. We then decide how to best translate the concept and the message to the visual realm.
f. What music do you listen to when you’re creating?
D. I prefer silence. For me creation is a meditation.
R. Music is crucial when painting, especially murals. From classical to hip-hop: Odesza, Kendrick, Simon & Garfunkel, Mozart’s Piano concerto No. 21 in C major, Sigur Rós, James Blake, RZA, and many, many more.
f. How do you keep the CYRCLE. message coming through consistently across the diverse range of mediums you work with?
D&R. Text! Typography is a key ingredient in our work when appropriate. It helps communicate our message in an effective manner especially when the visuals just aren’t enough. Language can ease the viewer into understanding the depth of the concept. Otherwise, it’s through timeless imagery and simple yet bold and powerful visuals.
f. Why is it important to create art for yourself?
D. Art is a service. I create selfishly and show it selflessly. I must create, for some unknown inward urgency, I must create. I inhale life and exhale creation. My art is my opinion and my observation of the world. It is how I communicate.
R. Art is also my service, although, I create selflessly and show selfishly.
f. Why are some of your pieces represented upside-down?
D&R. To take the power out of it. We have a name for upside down works, they are called OVERTHRONE. We focus on images of power which we flip to suggest powerlessness and to reexamine our own ideas of idolisation and why we allow humanity to dictate what is powerful and why.
f. How do you know magic is real?
D. It’s a choice, a perspective. You just have to know what to feel – it’s magnetic appeal. Miracles can only exist when you stop playing God. Magic is real when you believe in it.
R. We don’t know shit about the universe or where we come from and why, and what little we do know and have discovered over time has just showed us how little we know. Sooooo ya, I think it’s pretty obvious that everything is possible. When man first saw fire, that was magic. It was then slowly understood over time to be a combination of elements leading to combustion. But it’s still magic dammit! It’s all magic. Our very creation and ability to create is magic. Feeling is key. Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there. I listen to my heart. That’s how I know [he smiles]. And I’m finding it harder and harder to trust people who think they know everything. Accept Christians, LOL!
f. Is there a city/space you’d like to work in and a person/brand you’d like to work with in the future?
D. I could always work in Tokyo for any reason.
R. Brazil and Vans, get at us!!
f. What projects are you working on in 2016?
D&R. There is always a lot on the plate to be grateful for. We are launching our design/product division called BLACKCYRCLE, traveling the world painting murals, and hopefully producing our next show.
We Never Die! is the running tagline originating from CYRCLE.’s manifesto. Whether producing an installation, large-scale street piece, or smaller exhibition, you can rely on their work to be a hybrid of visuals and thoughts – the two are somewhat inextricable in their work.
CYRCLE. represent the dualities omnipresent in all facets of life and beyond, yet there is no duality in regards to the genius of their work.
They are CYRCLE. and they never die.
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