Artist Profile: Molly “Porkshanks” Friedrich

Down the Iron Gated Alleys

Artist: Molly Friedrich
Business name: Dangerous Detritus
Location: Underbridge Manor, Seattle

Website & Blog:
Porkshanks
Flickr album

Upcoming Show:
Anachrotechnofetishism, Sept 12 through October 3, 2008

The Essence Combi-matrix

Molly, how do you describe your life and your work?
Well, I was born and raised on a parallel Earth. I grew up in a time period you would consider the future, roughly equivalent to your early 2300s. Our society developed quite a bit differently than this
world and our Science Artists had created things like the Reality Engine which was a machine that allowed one to access and tweak the very laws of matter and energy itself.

I was born and raised as a Chordist, which are a sect of Science Artists that use a technology called chording to alter human perception. I hated chording, and I felt like it was dangerously manipulative, so I focused myself on the physical arts; the old science of building things with your hands was very alluring to me.

I have traveled with many wonderful people and been to hundreds of parallel worlds. Along the way I pick up little trinkets from one world and I sell them in another. I do have to eat occasionally, of course and trading goods makes the most sense since money looks and works different from one world to the next. Unfortunately importing goods between realities is considered dangerous by self appointed authorities like The Chrono-Corp and they have targeted me as a Tempus Fugitive. There is also a group of Chordists that is trying to capture me because I have left the order without having my mind wiped, and they consider that a bit of a no-no.

Nathan’s Amberic Array Violin

What is your creative process like?
I love music, I need a messy workspace. I usually pile a bunch of tools and parts on the coffee table and have at it for hours. I have a workspace, but its so filled with parts I can’t really use it. I can’t really stand tv, and we only keep it around because we have been Netflixing a lot of old Doctor Who episodes lately so my fiance can catch up on the show.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I went to college for art, but I was already fairly accomplished, and I was hoping they would teach me the business side of things, how to work with galleries, how to price work; that sort of nuts and bolts stuff. But they never touched the subject so when I realized it wasn’t going to happen after talking to people about it, I left.

Aside from that, I got my start in sculpture doing paper constructions and playing with Lego constantly as a kid. I didn’t have much, so I had to learn to do a lot with what I had. I challenged myself to build things I didn’t think I could actually build.

I also grew up in a family of welders, my Grandfather owned a welding shop and I spent a lot of time there discovering metals, tool, and hardware.

Clockwork Fetus In Chamber

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Brass? hahaha… I’m sort of a brass addict. I also like copper and nickel. I still use my first pair of pliers I got when I was about 9 or 10, so they are a sentimental tool for me.

What inspires you to create?
I like the attention to be honest. I also like inspiring other people, because I love seeing others grow and become more amazing people. I think a lot of people are too satiated by the world we are being handed by the older generations. Its a pretty screwed up place and I won’t accept it without a hearty fight!

Phase Frequency Adjuster

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
My wonderful partners have been very supportive, and I am finding more and more people who inspire me in the world. I just do what I do because nothing else has ever felt right before this. I am proud of
my way of life, even though many do not understand it. I try my best to have no environmental footprint, and while I still use some resources, I use far less than most. I do not own a car, we don’t heat our apartment, we recycle bathwater for flushing, and I am a vegetarian, that sort of stuff…

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Look at lots and lots of art and try to figure out what you like about other people’s work. Do not copy them, but try to apply what they have learned to your own vision, no one works in a vacuum. Always
seek to communicate your voice in your art. Compete with yourself, competing with others will only depress you, as there is always someone better out there at what you do.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
I am polyamourous, so I have two boyfriends who I enjoy spending my time with. They are both very different gentlemen that I appreciate for totally different reasons, so its not threatening to either of
them.

Antihex Mysterium

What’s your favorite comfort food?
I like lukewarm V8, always have. I love ice cream, but I barely ever eat it because I don’t exercise enough.