I’m honored to present today’s interview with Canadian artist and maker Marisa S. of modulem, a shop where she sells some of the most whimsical paper creations I’ve laid eyes on. Many of Marisa’s creations have a Dr. Seuss-like quality about them that tickle my fancy.
Have a peek at a few of my favorites from Marisa’s shop and then read on to find out more about the talented gal:
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Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Quebec City and spent most of my adult life in Montreal (a jewel!). Add a few years in London (wow!), a few in NYC (hell!) and now in Ottawa (sleepy!).
I’m a self-taught artist and grew up in an environment where opinions about artists are not fit to be expressed in polite society. Still, I’ll credit my nerdy childhood where I spent hours playing Meccano and Lego as my art education. I also grew up an avid reader and a faithful keeper of lists; hence – a love of paper and the printed word.
I fell into the Art Paper World in 2002 by accident. I had been painting for more than 10 years – a friend was taking a bookbinding class with her boyfriend, they broke up, the class was already paid for – I went to keep her company. And that was that.
I started including miniature books into my paintings; I took a few more lessons with professional bookbinder Margaret Kasper – and eventually the books left the canvas, the paper left the binding and I started mounting the whole lot on wire.
Tell us a little bit about your shop.
I had been selling my art mostly through art galleries but I had been more and more attracted to the idea of small affordable art objects. I wanted to use upcycled and recycled materials.Modulem technically opened it in April 2011, but it was fully operational by November.
I chose “Modulem” as in “module” because I’m attracted to items with assembled components / modules – and the additional “M” at the end for my name (Marisa).
It sounds vaguely architectural and adds a Latin verb-ending to the shop (yes, geeky).
What’s one of your favorite paper creations of yours and why?
I’m quite found of “Bound“. The leather is upcycled from a old favourite school bag and the paper from an old copy of an Emile Zola novel that I must have read 100 times. The wire is tiny (28 GA) and its colours are both warm and austere. It also happens to be the title of one of my favourite films as well. I recycle everything, apparently.
Who are some artists you admire?
Canadian sculptor, textile and installation artist, and printmaker Betty Goodwin (Louise Nevelson and Louise Bourgeois wrapped into one person) has my heart. Anselm Kiefer has my soul and Martin Puryear, my undying devotion.
My favourite contemporaries are Cybèle Young, Suh Do-oh, Leonardo Drew, Fumi Yoshinaga, Regine Ramseier, Cai Guo-Qiang, Noriko Ambe (mega-art crush), RAQS Media Collective, and Susan Stockwell. I urge you to google them – life-altering stuff.
Where do you drawn inspiration from?
Nothing gets my knees weak like architecture: give me spheres and angles, minimalism and sharp edges or whimsical folly like Gaudi.
Never underestimate a curious mind: I love research and will spend an inordinate amount of time reading on obscure subjects.
My blog: modulem.tumblr.com pretty much encapsulates what inspires me: art, design, architecture, books, and librarian chic.
While I work I listen to BBC docs, ITV soaps, Korean, British, Canadian and Scandinavian pop/indie bands.
Tell us one fun factoid about yourself.
I hesitate between saying French is my first language or that I’m allergic to Brussels sprouts and religion.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully living full-time from Paper Art; living in London with my wife; watching the first ever female Doctor Who episodes.
A girl can dream, can’t she?
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A million and a half thanks to Marisa. Be sure to check out the rest of her shop to enjoy more amazing and fun paper creations.
All photos via modulem
