M: Your work tickles me, it’s just so blitzed out and goopy. Is it meant to be so fun?
 
KM: It is indeed meant to be fun! I’m into philosophical, spiritual and scientific imponderables.  My goal is to make psychoactive objects of contemplation that inspire a transcendent, entertaining experience of awe and mystery. For me anyway, humor and fun are a big part of that.  

M: Beyond it’s insta-psychedelia, it’s also apparent that this is the work of a visual effects master. How did you break into 3D animation originally?

KM:  Thank you. I was kind of born into it. My Father was a background painter and writer for Walt Disney from the late ’30s to the ’50s and went on to be a producer and director. My mother was also a Disney artist and the character model for Tinkerbell. Yes, it’s true. I am the son of Tinkerbell.  I started out while I was still in school doing various jobs for my Dad. Everything from storyboards and painting backgrounds to set decoration and prop making.  I also did 60 abstract paintings for a condo complex that my mom was the decorator on.  After college I got a job at Coast Special Effects.  My first task was to paint their giant stage black.  They told me it would build my character.   Later I got to do stop motion animation, miniatures, scenic painting, etc for a number of VFX companies.  I’d been experimenting with computers for making my fine art since the mid ’80s so when computer graphics took over VFX in the early ’90s I was in the right place at the right time, since I had both traditional VFX experience and computer graphics experience. I got totally swept up in the digital revolution during the pioneering years.

M: In 98’ you won an Oscar for your digital effects work on “What Dreams May Come”…if you don’t mind me asking, did it blow your mind at all?

KM:  Yes. It totally blew my mind. When I accepted the award in front of hundreds of movie stars and a billion TV viewers, it was like an out of body experience. I think that with that many eyes on you, you become a kind of collective conscious entity. It was utterly surreal and great fun!  

M:  What about working in the film industry still has the ability to inspire you? Do remakes bum you out too?

KM:  Cool projects and working with cool people inspire me. Remakes aren’t the only source of bad movie ideas floating around out there.  So many movies are cornball, cliche and unoriginal.   I’ve been lucky to have worked on some really cool projects. The fact is that it’s really hard to tell which projects will turn out great and which ones will stink.  

M: Is God in the computer?

KM: Yes. God is in the computer. God is everywhere. In fact you’re soaking in it. I’m big on the idea that God is the infinite and thus there is nothing which is not God. (See non-dualism) If God were separate from anything, then God would not be infinite. A finite, limited God, doesn’t seem like much of a God to me. I like the non-dualistic notion of God because it reconciles theism with atheism in a way. It allows for a deeply spiritual relationship to the universe without having to join or subscribe to the beliefs of any religious group.  

M: I’m a big fan of both your work and your Mrs., Snow Mack. You have an upcoming duo exhibit “Mack & Mack” opening May 20th at The Barbara Mendes Gallery in LA-was it a party collaborating together or was it like pulling teeth?

KM: It’s a bit of work for sure, but it’s been really fun getting work ready. Snow and I did three collaborative paintings for the show. Our first together in about 30 years. It was really fun and amazing how we just started painting and both got right into a non-verbal/intuitive zone.  We’ve always gotten along well.  See the thing is, we’re totally in love and that’s a real powerful thing if you’re into it.  And we’re WAY into it. I think the abstract paintings we made together reflect that.

Snow Mack, “Cheater” 12×9, Oil on Canvas

M: Can you guys adopt me?

KM:  It was my understanding that we had all already adopted each other. I don’t know how to tell you this man, but you’re part of, and one with an ever expanding, joyful, harmonious, infinite universe. I think that’s what Dennis Hopper said in “The Trip”. I’ve always loved that.  

M: Any plans to produce a mega awesome epic Mack movie at any point? It feels slightly imminent, no?

KM: Yes! I have determined that my movie is indeed necessary. It has been gestating and forming my entire life. I am ready to begin.

The Barbara Mendes Gallery Presents: “Mack & Mack” The Works of Kevin and Snow Mack
2701 S. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90034. May 20 – June 25, 2012

Opening Reception: Sunday May 20th, 3pm – 7pm

Tags: 3d artist, banzai, eric schmalenberger, kevin mack, mack & mack, muffinhead, snow mack