Dylan Culhane has worked as editor for two of what I feel are South Africa’s most edgy, controversial, off-the-wall and inspirational mags – VICE (current role) and previously at One Small Seed magazine. Here is an interview with Dylan. He’s a guy with a permanent exhibition in his lounge, and I will say it again…take note of him, he’s already probably taken note of you. This is a report that comes with the intent to make your visions into a reality. And this is a guy who can help you realize it is possible. Enjoy.


So Dylan, who are you?

Dylan Culhane

What are you all about?

My day job is editor of VICE Magazine, South Africa, but I’d describe myself as a photographer/artist/filmmaker/journalist. I know ‘slash’ job descriptions are hella pretentious and don’t roll off the tongue too well, but I still haven’t decided what I want to be when I grow up. Oh, and I also lecture in Photojournalism at UCT. They’ll hire anyone these days.

Always been a Cape Town boy ?

“Nooit bru”. I was born in Green Point, but I grew up in Jozi. That’s why I’m so tough

What inspires you?

Pre-1985 photography books, when ‘digital’ wasn’t a word yet and people used mind power instead of computers.

Who do you aspire to?

Damien Hirst ‘cos he’s proper rich. Creatively, my biggest influences are Ernst Haas, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Hiro, Man Ray, MC Escher and Pablo Picasso.

What was the biggest challenge you faced/still face as an artist in SA?

SA has priorities other than the arts. Aside from limited funding, there’s not enough critical mass behind contemporary art in the general population. Also, finding your market in a country as culturally diverse as SA is quite tricky.

Lack of education is the root of all the kak in our country – violence, gangsterism, misogyny, racism, AIDS and of course the limited appreciation of fine art.

Personally, being able to call myself ‘an artist’ without sounding like a doos is an ongoing challenge for me. In the minds of most (including my own) it equates to ‘lazy, parasitic hippie’

Where do you go from here?

I’m very eager to exhibit overseas. Most of the sales I’ve made in previous exhibitions have been to people from over the seas.

What does art mean to you?

Art to me is a secret world of supreme logic that transcends the ages. As opposed to being indicative of our evolving mental capacity, I think it puts us in touch with our cavemen selves; Neanderthals marvelling at the berry smear in the shape of an Eland on the rock, and the inexplicable emotions this evokes.

What’s your style? What medium do you prefer working in? Why?

I guess I’m best known for my abstract multiple-exposure photography. I work on film – to me each frame of celluloid is like a tiny little canvas I like to splatter with reflected light. Why film? There’s a perpetual debate behind that question, but I’m saving my breath for an underwater retirement. I used to love proselytising the virtues of film over digital, but now I couldn’t care less… Each to his own, ey?

What’s your opinion of “Art” in CT? Or the “artists” in CT? – Firstly in relation to South Africa and then to international trends. In relation to Where CT art is going?

I don’t think my jeans are skinny enough for me to offer any worthwhile opinions on the ‘State of Art in Cape Town’. You’re better off asking a Michaelis graduate. They know tons of stuff about art.

The diversity of Africa is, in many instances, informed by traditions, common themes, and of course our history. Does that diversity lend itself to a specific South African style of Art, or are we using imported styles?

South Africa’s history and geographical location make it what it is – the funnel end of the world. We’re virtually equidistant from Europe, Asia, America and Australia, meaning we absorb all these influences to a relatively equal degree. This is our biggest asset – particularly in the English-speaking world, since we’re au fait with Australasian, American and European trends, language, culture, humour and so on. Our f*#ked-up history is a bonus too because it’s a veritable treasure trove of issues to explore. South Africa, and Cape Town in particular, is a model for the ultimate 21st century civilisation. I truly believe this.

What is local? Is local not actually global? Esp. in CT

Too difficult to answer. Brain Spasm.

Colour – what does it mean to you?

It’s the decisive differentiating factor between human vision and dog vision.

Any particular artists in CT you want to mention? Why?

Asha Zero, Senyol, Dale Yudelman, Andrzej Nowicki, Pete Eastman Athi-Patra Ruga … they’re all really good, and I like their stuff.

What the most insane piece of art you have ever seen?

An exhibition by video artist Bill Viola at the (gallery) in Tokyo. Giant framed plasma screens with ultra slow-motion scenes unfolding like haunted photographs. Google that sh*t, ‘cos words can’t  adequately describe it.

Is there any message you are trying to communicate through your work? Is this pre-planned or does it evolve along with the piece?

I think my work is more optical than cerebral, both in terms of my artistic process and the viewing experience. Any meaning that emerges is less about the specific subject matter, but rather the neuro-optical processes that pre-empt any conscious rationale. I have a frighteningly archaic approach to Art – harness the elements that exist around us all the time and re-appropriate them into an aesthetically evocative composition. Basically I like to make pretty pictures that you can hang on your wall and enjoy looking at for perpetuity.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

A while back, I smoked Anti-retrovirals for a story I was writing for VICE magazine. I don’t recommend that. At all.

What’s the first thing you do after completing something?

Smoke a joint.

So…adding in some cheese…what’s your biggest vice?

Marijuana, and taking on more work than I can handle. I know, how paradoxical!

Why do you love Cape Town? (If you do…)

It’s so pretty it hurts sometimes, and yet the city has really emerged as a global capital in the last few years. CT is the perfect blend between urban and country living – from the CBD you can get to the beach or the mountains in under 10 minutes. There’s nowhere else on earth with this balance. It’s good for the soul.

What’s lacking in CT? Aside from funds…

Skytrains, morals and about a dozen more galleries and museums.

Where would we find you on a Friday evening?

Well, I’m clinically sociophobic, so my couch is a good place to start looking. If I’m not there, perhaps I’m stuck between the seat cushions. So look harder. When I’m able to overcome these crippling fears I generally hang out Assembly, Neighbourhood, The Shack … regular ol’ places like that.

Are you messy?

yEsjsv.

What’s one thing you would like to tell all those ambitious young artists out there?

Get a job you no-good bums!

Any pieces you wish you had not done? Why?

I don’t regret some of the fashion stuff I’ve done, but I’d be very reluctant to show anybody these days. The more I see fashion photography the more I hate it.

When you were a little kid, did you want to be an artist? Or a fireman?

As the son of a banker and a baker, the idea of a career as an artist was something that never entered into my mind until after I’d finished high school, even though I was one of those kids who just drew stuff all the time. Still today the notion of earning money from something that you couldn’t stop doing even if it wasn’t for money puzzles me.

What’s your dream project?

I’m a simple guy. Give me a museum in New York, Berlin or the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, a solo exhibition and some gigantic hand-prints in Scandinavian box frames and I’ll be content. I’d also love to collaborate on a global scale in the near future, but I’ve yet to find a kindred spirit.

What’s next for Dylan?

Just keep hustling until somebody with a ton of money and some good taste takes notice and bankrolls my life.

Thanks Dylan.
Adios Amigos. Till next week.







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