The Standard

The Box at The Standard, Hollywood is an ever changing gallery for some of the art world’s best and brightest. Up to bat this month is German artist Mario Wagner and they just don’t come better or brighter than him. Mario’s concept for The Box is layered, intricate, ephemeral, and just plain fun to look at. We sat Mario down to discuss his inspiration:

Mario Wagner’s installation, Illusion Gateway, for The Box at The Standard, Hollywood.

The Standard: Talk about your inspiration for your piece in The Box.

Mario Wagner: I did some plexi glass pieces (that are also shown in the lobby) for Art Basel and The Box at The Standard, Hollywood is basically just a large version of it. So i thought it would be awesome to include the model as one of my characters in putting her in a ski mask and creating a world around her.

The Standard: How do you feel about your art sharing space with a live model?

Mario Wagner: I have for a long time wanted to create an installation including real people, basically creating a Mario Wagner world and let people walk through. So this was an awesome test and it turned out great.

The Standard: What’s your favorite collaboration you’ve worked on so far?

Mario Wagner: I’m currently working on a piece for VOGUE Casa in Italy and its really stretching some creative muscles which should produce some exciting results.

The Standard: You collage using old magazines. Do you have any magazines that are a constant source of inspiration?

Mario Wagner: Nothing specific, its more about the era the magazines are from. I prefer the 50s and the 60s. I love the way they saw the world and how man was so naive in comparison to the 21st century.

The Standard: What’s the best adventure you’ve ever had in your career as an artist?

Mario Wagner: I think the ABSOLUT VODKA ad shooting in Lisbon was the best (so far), meeting great artists, being involved in the huge production of an TV ad shooting, working with Floria Sigismondi and in the end being all over the media and getting awesome exposure.

Fun video of Mario (he’s in the black framed glasses) and other artists working on their Absolut Vodka bottle designs.

The Standard: What’s up next for you?

Mario Wagner: I worked for ABSOLUT VODKA on a special project which will launch at the end of March in several countries. So I will fly out to Munich and celebrate a bit, visiting friends, having fun.

Mario Wagner’s piece for The Box at The Standard, Hollywood will be on display through mid-March.