Aryn Crowley is something of an enigma wrapped in a riddle and then delicately wrapped in procuitto. A man of controversial talents and expertises, Aryn has journied across the North Americas finding the little ironies in real life. But past critical response has been varied at best. Lambasted for his misunderstood social art experiments in the heroic community, he was labeled a recluse and a failure of villain-esque proportions. When confronted publicly, he frankly spoke of indifference to the media’s perceptions stating “no one will ever trully know me.” I had the opportunity to sit down with Aryn last night to discuss his body of work, his creative process and even a few past indiscretions.
Mike: So Aryn, tell me. Any new projects on the horizon you want to plug?
Aryn: Yeah, I always have a few things on the burner: a new album, solo tour, group collaboration, massive multiplayer art project, and my own line of cooking salts.
Sounds exciting. Would you say your process of creativity is easier or harder when you have the following discomforts:
hunger?
harder.
sleepiness?
easier
having to poop?
easier
cold?
harder
hot?
harder
thirsty?
easier
itchy?
easier
Interesting…I find the more uncomfortable I am, the rawer the art is.
Very true Mike.
Can’t be too cushy.
That’s why in the winter I keep my heater up at 95 degrees so that my basement can stay nice and steamy. I have small hotplates that I use to get that rain foresty feel by boiling water constantly. Sometimes in the summers I like to import HUGE blocks of ice and chill down my artistic elements. Just to mix things up.
We all like our artistic elements nice and chilled in those summer months. Favourite book?
Repeat: The classic story of Pete and Repete, adapted from the re-run of the made for TV Movie based on the Cinematic version that was loosely based on the Graphic Novel adapted from the novella which was loosly based upon a sketch that Pete made for Repete.
Ooh excellent choice…though its so sad that Pete is forced to relive the last 10 years of his life on auto pilot without getting to change anything. That timequake almost killed his will to live. That is if he had free will. Favourite super power and why?
Favourite super power and why? There was this old super hero who used bathtubs to generate enormous amount of bubbles to fight against the evil bug man who would end up eating the bubbles and dying from diarrhea overdose
Ah yes, The Bathtub Bubbleman. Classic golden age hero.
I love those classic superheros, they have really influenced the next generation’s supers like Astronaut Man, and Cosmonaut Girl.
Do you find that the world is in need of superheroes in these hardened war ravaged suburban days? Or are they just trying to steal our gold?
The Superheroes? Stealing our gold?
Do you or do you not intend on running for SuperPresident in 2008 under the pending Anti-Superhero Act in Congress?
I have though about it. But I have two problems.
Just answer the question.
First, I am not 35. Second, I do not, nor do I intend to have multi-millions of gold dubloons to pay for my campaign.
Are you or were you ever part of the supervillain community?
I have never a part of the supervillian community. Only a spectator, so maybe I have been a small part.
Look, all you have to do is name some names and you will not be prosecuted. Refuse to do so will mean you are guilty. Then, agreeing to do so means you are guilty too.
Um, I am not sure I understand the accusation.
Then you are guilty.
Fair enough.
Come on Mr. Crowley, all you have to do is admit you are a villain intent on running on a smear campaign of space weapon technology platform. You wouldnt lie to the Latin American constituancey who don’t have a fighting chance would you?
Maybe. Check back with me on 2 April 2007.
Okay last question, favourite ice cream flavour?
Ooh. I love Sardine Oreo Cookie Krunch with sweet pickle sauce.
Excellent choice. Well thank you for your time.
Thanks, I enjoyed it.
I am a tough interviewer, no?
Tomorrow, Aryn turns the tables on the equally enigmatic and manic semi-genius, Mike.