Thursday, February 12, 2015

Rich Cali


A black shape..vaguely resembling a skull, but also maybe a chewed piece of bubblegum..caught my eye. It spoke my language, yet held me at a distance. It felt direct, yet mysterious. "That's a powerful thing," I thought.
Much of Rich Cali's work makes me feel like that, which doesn't happen everyday. As I pulled up to Common House, the gallery/studio space he shares with his wife and two other artists, I was excited to learn more about his process.

Interview + photos after the jump:

















EC: Where are you from, first of all?

RC: I'm originally from New Jersey and we moved here in 2005.

EC: What were you doing in NJ?

RC: I had a..I owned a  coffee shop for the last 5 years we were there.

ECYou owned it?

RC: Mhmm. Once we sold our lease back to our landlord, that was the same year my wife     worked for the military, and they were doing layoffs because of the war...
    They fired 19 people one day, and she was one of them. So I was out of a career       and she was out of a career all within the same week. When it's the end of a
    chapter, I always just move.

EC: Makes sense.
    Did you go to school or anything in NJ?

RC: Went to Rutgers, and some community college. Didn't graduate.
    After Rutgers I moved to Erie Pennsylvania to play in a band, and when the band       was done I moved back home..opened the coffee shop..then that was done..and now  
    I'm here.

EC: Your work has a specific sensibility..in terms of color ..or uh, lack of color..     and line..where do you think that comes from? It strikes me as sort of an Asian 
    influence, but I don't know if that's..accurate.



RC: Mmm...definitely line work. Initially I wanted to do layout and typography. So       I've always been drawn to specific lines. Tattoos have always been an   
    inspiration. I draw a lot from that as far as line work goes.

EC: Do you know that person "Slower Black"?

RC: Uh huh. My wife got tattooed by her.

EC: I love her.

RC: She is a perfect example of 'less is more'.

EC: Exactly.

RC: And that's what I like.

EC: I was going to ask you about that. I'm really drawn to the 'less is more'    
    aesthetic. People who can..in anything..music, art, whatever...who can convey a  
    powerful image or idea but with the least amount of information.
    In your case, this tree for example..there's no color, it's very simple and   
    stripped down. A simple way of saying something.

RC: I agree, and I also ..I feel like the lack of color is obviously..it's gonna have     a timelessness to it. Same with black and white photographs. You can't   
    necessarily tell without looking at clothing styles and whatnot. It's timeless, I     think.

EC: There's less information. To peg it down.

RC: Even color photos... I just saw photos of my grandparents from the 40s in Jersey     City, and you can tell just by the color..it's sepia..obviously you know what 
    time it's from . But if that was just a black and white photo, it could have been     from the 20s for all I know.

EC: And you use this recycled paper..I think it's old..it looks old.

RC: That's from 1888 [pointing to a big old book]. 



EC: Yeah, so why do like to do that?

RC: Put white paper in front of me and I can't ..I'll just stare at it.
    But that definitely has the character already, y'know..it's naturally there.
    That helps with when I'm painting.

EC: Where'd you get that book?

RC: I found that one in New Orleans. Day after Christmas this year. I go to Goodwill     all the time. It has about 6 or 8 pieces of paper in there that are useable.

EC: Oh, the rest is printed on.

RC: Yeah.

EC: And would you not use the printed on pieces?

RC: I normally don't. I had this conversation last night with somebody. They were  
    telling me I should try to paint on them. I typically don't like that idea, but I     guess it can't hurt to try. 

EC: I had professors who would've told me that using this old paper is ridiculous and     not archival..and..

RC: Right. I get that. I mean if I frame it  I try to get it framed archivally. But       beyond that..

EC: You just don't care.

RC: Not really. I mean, if someone wants to preserve it, they can.



EC: I want to know about the religious themes..what's up with that?

RC: Catholic guilt. [laughs]

EC: Really?

RC: Yeah, totally.

    I went to Catholic school til' 6th grade, and even after that my mom was still       taking us to Church. Not that it was like a heavy thing...my father was always       like "Ok, let's go to church. Your mother wants to go."
    And then I started questioning the bible. I remember her being like.." Well, I'm     not going to tell you what to think.."
    From then on, I thought.. well if she's gonna be a little receptive..
    Sure enough, now that my folks split, now my mom believes more in the lunar
    cycles than..

EC: Really?

RC: Yeah, I mean she definitely still believes in Catholicism and all that  but..

EC: Yeah. She's more open, now.

RC: She's like "Do you know that there are inconsistencies in the Bible?"
    And I'm like "I told you that..." 
    But yeah, I was always around Christian-Catholic italians. 

EC: So you're thinking about that sometimes.

RC: Yeah, totally. always. There's always guilt in it for some reason.



EC: I just had a friend in town ..she's a Buddhist..and she kept saying this phrase,    'Theres no guilt in Buddhism.' I would ask her questions about chanting and           stuff..and she would say something like, "Yeah, maybe I'll chant today for an         hour, or..but if I don't feel like it, I don't have to..there's no guilt in           Buddhism" 
    I was struck by that, because I just never thought about it I guess. There's no       guilt associated.
    I didn't grow up religious, but I know that's how they hold you a lot of times       ..it's the guilt and the fear.

RC: Right, exactly. 

EC: You're going to hell if you don't do this. You better do it if you wanna go to       heaven.

RC: It's weird to me. I mean, I understand it because I was taught it.. But still         it's a weird concept. 

EC: Religion is such a wellspring of good imagery.

RC: Oh, yeah. I remember being in church when I was younger. They had the windows         ..stained glass..six on each side. I would just stare at those as opposed to..

EC: Mmm. So you were just at the Sistine Chapel?

RC: Yeah. That was awesome. You go up and up this huge building for like..it could be     a few miles. Til' you hit the end. Every time you hit a corner you think, 'this       is gonna be it, this is gonna be it.' It just keeps going. Long hallways with         huge tapestries and textiles, and then finally you get to this room. It's jam-       packed with people and no one is talking. You could just sit there for days. It       was definitely one of the heaviest things I've seen.

EC: Wow.

RC: I think my neck hurt the whole next day. 

EC: Did you..after you were in there, did you feel like going and making something?

RC: Yeah, I totally did. I went back to the hotel that night and started painting.
    No, maybe it was the next day. But we definitely hit an art store - it was my         wife's idea. She's like , "Lets go get you some supplies , that way when we're in     the hotel in our down time you can paint." So I started painting.

EC: Wives always know best.

RC: She's always right. [laughs]
    But yeah, I started painting right there in the hotel the next night.

EC: Do you have anything you made in the hotel here?

RC: It's all in a show in NJ.

EC: Aw.

RC: Yeah I don't think I do..I think it's all in a show in NJ.



EC: You just bought..what do you use, is that gouache, or..?

RC: It's this FW liquid acrylic. It's super opaque but still pretty watery. I love       it. I was using Sumi ink for a while, but then if you put the white on top of it,     it reactivates and ..

EC: Yeah. I gotta get some of this.

    Is there anything you wanna share about your work?
    I could keep asking questions, but..

RC: I don't really have anything to share.
    I do try to work as much as possible.

EC: It's important to you to have a practice?

RC: Yeah. I mean I would love to be at the Greenbelt today..and yesterday...hah.

EC: I think that's important, though..to treat it as another job.

RC: Right, that's what I'm trying to do.

EC: You make it a priority. 

RC: It's validating.
    I notice a mood change if I haven't painted in days. So I just try to keep           moving. This was all- for the most part, on the plane.. [ showing me a 90% full       sketchbook ]

EC: On a plane?

RC: Yeah. Within the first 2 1/2 hours, I think I filled up half of that book.

Installation shot at Lower Left.


EC: That's awesome. Just doodlin'.

RC: Mhmm. 


EC: I love this, because when people have sketchbooks they're so timid about using a     page. They don't want to just go through it. Because they BOUGHT a sketchbook,       and you're supposed to use it slowly or something. So I love that you                 just..you're just doing it 

RC: I had to get over that. 

    I totally go back and find stuff for reference in there.
    That I didn't even realize I did.

EC: Straight up from your subconscious.
    You go back to your little drawings a lot?

RC: I'll definitely sit on the couch and go through it without thinking about it. 

EC: You said those ones [pointing at drawings of pots] were inspired by the pottery in Rome..?



RC: Yeah, I've been doing a lot of pottery over the past year. 
    Let's see ..it's February..what's today's date? 8th...9th..10th. It's the     
    10th..oh shit! It's my mother's birthday.

EC: Gotta call mom!

RC: We left for Rome last year on February 8th. So I've basically been doing pottery     all year long. It's gotten a lot more patterny.

EC: Is ambiguity something that appeals to you? 

RC: Yeah, and just simplicity. 

EC: Reduction.

RC: Right, yeah.

EC: I personally like when I don't know exactly what's going on.

RC: I think I like that, too.


Check out Rich's work in person at Lower Left- closing reception February 14, 2015 12-4 PM. 1706 S 3rd St.

Also coming up: EVERPRESENT- Webb Gallery, printed at Bearded Lady.



21 comments:

  1. He heals and solve most of the problems & sickness which are failed to be healed by other doctors/healers. He solve bad luck, pregnancy problems, lost lover, sexual weakness, early ejaculation, witch-crafts, broken marriage, poverty, debts trouble, divorce, court cases, domestic problems, gambling losses, Lost jobs, promotions at work, Do you need penis enlargement? Do you want to be Rich? Do you need many children? Are you tired of jealousy people, Evil dreams, all long illnesses, blood pressure, HIV & aids, skin infections? etc. He use strong herbs & magic spells as well as powerful ancestors. Get healed today by this greatest miracle doctor who has healed many people through his experienced ancestors. Join the rest of the world to cerebrate his miracle healings. he can even read and tell you your problems before you say anything to him. He can connect you to talk to the spirit of a deceased of your family member or friend. he can also tell you your future through reading palm, play card, a mirror/water. He uses many ways of healing just to make sure that he certify his clients all over the world. he is the only traditional healer who does fully corresponds with all religious beliefs. contact him on his email address at fiokporspiritualtemple@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment, Cecilia! I'm definitely going to contact this witch doctor person.

      Delete
  2. AN Amazing Testimony On A Spell Caster Who help me to get pregnant, So me and my partner have been trying for a baby for the last 5 years now and we have had no luck. I don't have a regular cycle so it is hard for me to tell when I'm ovulating or not, but we always have sex at least 2 times a week, sometimes more. I know it can take up to a year to conceive but everyone i know who have had a baby have conceived within 2-3months of trying and it is really getting to me. my partner had a fertility test about a year ago and his sperm were fine. I'm thinking it could be a problem with me but I've never had any symptoms of any problems. My partner does smoke and have the occasional Priest ink, and i used to smoke and also have the occasional Priest ink. i know i'm slightly overweight but that shouldn't affect our chances too much,one faithful day my friend told me to contact a spell caster that help her aunty, then i contact the man on this email: babaka.wolf@gmail.com , after three months the doctor confirm that i am pregnant thank you Priest Babaka for helping me get a baby, I am thankful for all he has done. contact him via email: babaka.wolf@gmail.com if you are trying to get a baby or want your lover back. he has powers to do it, he has done mine

    ReplyDelete

  3. Hi,i wonder why people still don't believe that roots and herbs are very essential and fruitful in different aspect,especially when you can't conceive and bear children. I am a living witness because i tried all i could to be pregnant but all to no avail,until i contacted DR BOSUN,who gave me some roots and herbs syrup and told me when to have sex with my man.I missed my menstrual flow within a short period of taking it,and the doctor confirmed that i am pregnant.
    I am very glad to tell the world that i am a mother of a bouncing baby boy,contact him for your own testimony on: bosunherbalcenter@outlook.com or http://bosunherbalcenter.wix.com/herbs Tel: +2348035394535

    ReplyDelete
    Replies



    1. Hi,i wonder why people still don't believe that roots and herbs are very essential and fruitful in different aspect,especially when you can't conceive and bear children. I am a living witness because i tried all i could to be pregnant but all to no avail,until i contacted Dr Natasha ,who gave me some roots and herbs and told me how to use it. I missed my menstrual flow within a short period of taking it,and the doctor confirmed that i am pregnant. I am very glad to tell the world that i am a mother of a bouncing baby boy,contact her now dont say because she is a lady she canthelp you no she can really help you contact her now for your own testimony Via : pregnancyherbs@gmail.com pregnancyherbs@gmail.com

      Delete
  4. I GIVE THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS FOR GIVING ME LIFE.
    He helped me with a fast cure to fibroid,and the size of it was .7cm, Then I started taking the medication for only one month, and now am completely cured from it. I was able to make it without any surgery, now I can live like every normal human and I can eat any food of my choice If you need such help, contact him via mail on drwilliams098765@gmail.com for advice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I will only advice every other woman TRYING TO GET PREGNANT or have Fallopian tube issues, pcos and other infertility problem too do their research and don’t base your option only on anyone’s advise, I did and it resulted in waste of money and time. contact Dr climent on email: drclimentscott@gmail.com because I have discover Dr climent. long time ago and I would have been pregnant earlier if I follow my heart and buy the herbal herbs but I disregard it because of my doctor’s advice and I am annoyed at myself but at the same time I am happy that I made the wise decision by going back to Dr climent, for his herbal herbs. Now I am a strong believer of this herbal herbs natural medicine. Thank You.contact Dr climent for bringing this joy into my home am so happy at last am now a mother of twins am the happiest woman on earth thank god i came back for your herbal herbs i no so many marriages out there finding it difficult to conceive i will surely encourage them to have fate and contact you on your email or number for help contact Dr climent now via drclimentscott@gmail.com drclimentscott@gmail.com Or his whatsapp number. +2347036879479 drclimentscott@gmail.com
      +2347036879479 +2347036879479

      Delete
  5. I felt like ending it i lost my husband to another woman 2 weeks ago after 27 years of marriage. We had a lovely marriage but he started a relationship with a co worker who chased after him. He is living away near his work, and he refuses to talk to me or to come home . I am devastated and am finding it hard to cope i was emotionally down . I wish I did not love him and that I could move on but I can't . I don't know how to stop feeling like this I wish I could and its eating me away and I'm starting to feel ill. I have degraded myself begging him to come home all to no avail. I became very worried and needed help. As I was browsing through the internet one day, I came across a website that suggested that Dr Ogudugu can help solve marital problems, restore broken relationships and I also came across several testimonies about this particular man so on. So, I felt I should give him a try. I contacted him and he did a spell for me. 24 hours later, my husband came to me and apologized for the wrongs he did and promise never to do it again. Ever since then, everything has returned back to normal. I and my family are living together happily again.. All thanks to Dr Ogudugu . If you need a spell caster that can cast a spell that truly works, I suggest you contact him. He will not disappoint you. if you have any problem contact him, I give you 100% guarantee that he will help you, This is his details, E-mail: GREATOGUDUGU@GMAIL.COM. Thank you all for reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Shout it louder, Or go out and reach others who have not heard of it .it is real Dr climent HERBAL Center is really doing a great works within and outside just try it and you will testify just as i am testifying now, i have this infection that lead to womb blockage and there was no hope at all the hospital i went said nothing but that there on hope for 4 years that i have waited no child then i came across Dr climent HERBAL Center now and he is a wonderful native herbalist who told me he can do it but i was scared because i have not take anything drugs natural before but since i had no child i have to comply with the rules and regulation and now am carrying my child just try it and see your time to celebrate has come . you can reach Dr climent HERBAL Center via email : drclimentscott@gmail.com +2347036879479 +2347036879479 drclimentscott@gmail.com +2347036879479 +2347036879479

      Delete


  6. Hey! I can’t believe this. A great testimony that i must share to all cancer patient in the world i never believed that their could be any complete cure for lung cancer or any cancer,i saw people’s testimony on blog sites of how DR ODUMA cannabis oil brought them back to life again. i had to try it too and you can,t believe that in just few weeks i started using it all my pains stop gradually and i had to leave without the drugs the doctor gave to me. Right now i can tell you that few months now i have not had any pain, and i have just went for text last week and the doctor confirmed that there is no trace of any cancer system. Glory be to God for leading me to this genuine to DR ODUMA. I am so happy as i am sharing this testimony. My advice to you all who thinks that their is no cure for cancer that is Not true ,just contact him and get cannabis oil from DR ODUMA to your cancer and you will be free and free for ever, Try it and you will not regret it because it truly works. One thing i have come to realize is that you never know how true it is until you try. There is no harm in trying. Remember, delay in treatment leads to death. Here is his email: odumaspelltemple0@gmail.com Contact him and be free from cancer!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ALL THANKS TO DR ODIA WITH HIS HERBAL ROOT AND HERBS AM COMPLETELY CURED FROM FIBROID
    I can’t believe this. A great testimony that i must share to all fibroid patient in the world. i never believed that their could be any complete cure for fibroid with out going for surgery ,i saw people’s testimony on internet on how Dr ODIA prepare herbal root and herbs that shrink there fibroid naturally. i had to try it too i contacted him on: odiaherbalcenter@yahoo.com. and him told me how to get his herbal medicine, and you can,t believe that in just few weeks i started using it all my pains stop gradually . Right now i want to tell you all that i just give birth to a baby boy last month,and on till now' i have not had any pain, and i just went for text last week and the doctor confirmed that there is no trace of any fibroid in my system. after 8 year of suffering from fibroid am now free, Glory be to God for leading me to this great Dr ODIA I am so happy as i am sharing this testimony. My advice to you all who thinks that their is no herbal cure for fibroid that is Not true ,just contact him and get cure his email odiaherbalcenter@yahoo.com and you will be free and free forever, Try it and you will not regret it because it truly works. i hope to see your testimony soon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Do you need Personal Loan?
    Business Cash Loan?
    Unsecured Loan
    Fast and Simple Loan?
    Quick Application Process?
    Approvals within 24-72 Hours?
    No Hidden Fees Loan?
    Funding in less than 1 Week?
    Get unsecured working capital?
    Email us:urgentloan22@gmail.com
    Application Form:
    =================
    Full Name:................
    Loan Amount Needed:.
    Purpose of loan:.......
    Loan Duration:..
    Gender:.............
    Marital status:....
    Location:..........
    Home Address:..
    City:............
    Country:......
    Phone:..........
    Mobile / Cell:....
    Occupation:......
    Monthly Income:....
    Email us (urgentloan22@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  9. hello everyone,i have been married to my husband for 6years with no issue. after many medical treatment and there is no way. i took it as i was born barren and i accepted every challenge that comes my way
    on this faithful day, i decided to check the net for updates on healthy living and i came across a story of a man who Dr EDIONWE helped his wife to conceive a baby. i decided to put a try because this has been my greatest problem in life. today i am a proud mom. words will not be enough to explain what this man did for me. he casted a pregnancy spell on me and i noticed i was pregnant on the 7th day after the spell. i am a happy mother, the pride of my family, a miracle in my town. i know there is someone in same condition and you feel there is no way. i urge you to contact him via email edionwesolutiontemple@gmail.com. This is the solution to every single mother around the globe.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I want to use this means to let the world know that all hope is not lost Getting pregnant after having tubes clamped and burned, I know IVF and Reversal could help but it way too cost, i couldn't afford it either and i so desire to add another baby to my family been trying for 5 years, not until i came across Priest Babaka, who cast a pregnancy/Fertility spell for me and i got pregnant.l hope that women out there who are going through the same fears and worries l went through in GETTING PREGNANT , will find your contact as i drop it here on this site, and solution will come to them as they contact you. Thank you and God bless you to reach him email via: babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priestly.babaka

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want to use this means to let the world know that all hope is not lost Getting pregnant after having tubes clamped and burned, I know IVF and Reversal could help but it way too cost, i couldn't afford it either and i so desire to add another baby to my family been trying for 5 years, not until i came across Priest Babaka, who cast a pregnancy/Fertility spell for me and i got pregnant.l hope that women out there who are going through the same fears and worries l went through in GETTING PREGNANT , will find your contact as i drop it here on this site, and solution will come to them as they contact you. Thank you and God bless you to reach him email via: babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priestly.babaka

    ReplyDelete
  12. i never believed that their could be any complete cure for fibroid with out going for surgery ,i saw people’s testimony on blog sites and Facebook page of how Dr Omohan prepare herbal cure for different king of disease,and with the help of his herb they where able to shrink there fibroid naturally. i had to try it too and you can,t believe that in just few weeks i started using it all my pains stop gradually . Right now i want to tell you all that i just give birth to a baby boy last month,and on thin now i have not had any pain, and i have just went for text last week and the doctor confirmed that there is no trace of any fibroid in my system . Glory be to God for leading me to this great Dr omohan I am so happy as i am sharing this testimony. My advice to you all who thinks that their is no herbal cure for fibroid that is Not true ,just contact him and get cure throughhis email: dromohanherbalmedicine@gmail.com or whatsapp +2348164816038

    ReplyDelete
  13. I never thought I'd be writing this message but after 4.5 years of and nearly lost my marriage due to not be able to have a child, severe endometriosis and scanning, I was told that IVF was the only option. This was something we could not afford and had almost given up hope of becoming parents. A friend of mine recommended Priest Babaka to me and persuaded me to contact him, he did a spiritual breakthrough for me to make me get pregnant, within 3 weeks I was pregnant (naturally!!!) and gave birth to our son in april. I am writing this message for those women who are at the stage I was at.depressed with no light at the end of the tunnel. give Priest Babaka a try to help you solve your problem, and hopefully you'll have the same success that I have had. Here is his email address: babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka . wish you all happiness in your marriage

    ReplyDelete
  14. I never thought that there will be a miracle on the internet until i came in contact with Priest Babaka, finally i made it with his help, with his spiritual power which was recommended by a lady in baby center he help before, i never believe it was real until i confirm it now because i have tried so many things to make sure i get pregnant but no luck, immediately i contact him. he did some spiritual prayers and send me a medicine which i took, i got pregnant three weeks after, and i now have a son to show. thank you so much priest and i recommend Priest Babaka for everyone out there that is willing to have a child of her own out there. contact him for help too he is real and powerful, i have confirmed it, contact him on email: babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi everyone,i just want to tell you about this wonderful woman,who help me in bringing back my lost love after so many years.I had a little quarrel with him on a faithful day,and he left me for another,i seek all help but all to no avail until a friend told me about this wonderful woman(Mama Kalaki),who cast a spell that brought him back to me after 4years.
    I couldn't give birth also because the doctor said that my tubes were tied,but she also cast a pregnancy spell that made me conceive in less than two week and i am now a proud mother of twins.
    You too can shear your beautiful testimonies too if you can just contact her on: mama.kalakisolutiontemple@gmail.com or contact her on whats-app on: +1(424)644-3433

    ReplyDelete
  16. my partner and I have been trying for a baby for over two years now, We were going to a fertility clinic for about 5 months before somebody at baby center told us to contact this spell caster who is so powerful, We contacted him at this email; babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka , for him to help us, then we told him our problem, he told us that we will conceive once we follow his instructions ,but after two years of trying we were at a point where we were willing to try anything. And I'm glad we came to Priest Babaka, Because his pregnancy spell cast and herbal remedy help us, and I honestly believe him, and his gods really helped us as well, I am thankful for all he has done. contact him via email: babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka if you are trying to have a baby or want your lover back. he has powers to do it, he has done mine

    ReplyDelete
  17. The doctors said Herpes virus do not have medical cure because the virus is capable of hiding within the human cells, it remains protected from your immune system. Herpes isn’t a special virus – your immune system has the tools to fight it back. But because it is able to lay dormant in protected cells, your immune system is unable to remove it from your body,But with strong reactive herbal medication is capable of getting rid of the virus gradually and totally from your body without damaging any of your cells,natural herbs kills the virus totally not just reducing the out break. Get natural herbs cure Email DR. VOODOO at voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com Add Dr voodoo on whatsApp +2348140120719

    ReplyDelete