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MYMO is a young artist eager to travel the world but calls Berlin her home. Travels have a direct relationship with her artistic practice, whereby she created and curated exhibitions, workshops, and lectures. She is one of the most influential female urban artists of her generation. Known by her street name MYMO she has been around the so-called street art block for quite some time now, gaining lots of followers of her artistic practice. She likes to combine abstract forms with pyramid shapes, triangular patterns, and vivid colours. These patterns trace back to her North African roots. Her style can be described as a combination of mystical, cosmic, tribal-funk psychedelia. With a multimedia attitude she doesn’t restrict herself to any particular medium. She constantly develops new possibilities of aesthetic expression (from street and canvas painting to collage, from animation to installations). She interacts and communicates within the urban context of the everyday, promoting positive change in our world. We had the chance to meet up with  “MYMO” the Illusionist, the Gatekeeper to other Dimensions for a quick chat...

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When did you decide to join the art circus and how did you get hooked?
It kind of happened naturally. I've been creating stuff since I was a baby. The first things I made were collages and drawings with highlighters, staplers, and hole punchers in my mom's office when she would take me with her. I remember a punk I made who was pierced everywhere. Hahahahahaha. Oh, and I painted my tree house. Life itself is infinite, a spirit, living thing, and to hear, see, and speak that, you have to have the art of listening, the art of seeing, and the art of speaking, these are miracles. Mankind has lost touch with these gifts. MYMO sees, and is capable of translating messages between realms. I see things and then I draw them.

Your works are very colourful and mystical in a way, where do you draw inspiration from?
I've always been fascinated by Egypt. I LOVE EGYPT. I've always been into all the star gates and pyramid portals there. Akashic Records. Akasha is Sanskrit for sky, space, or either! :) Inside there are the elements earth, water, fire and air. In Hindu mysticism, akasha is the primary element of nature. You can also call it cosmic unconsciousness that I access through meditation. Personal akashic records thoughts, feelings, and emotions are stored in your DNA. Planet Earth records all the events. Crystals absorb the information. Grand library universe's history is stored there from the crystals absorbing the information. And music remembers who we are and activates the akashic wisdom. I access all this information through meditation and when I go within myself. I'm here to raise the frequency of the planet.

How do you choose your medium of expression? Do you have a particular method in working with brushes, cans, or paper and scissors?
The most fun for me is to try out different kinds of mediums. I always experiment and I really like to use them all together to create something new. But painting is one of my favourites. To experiment with different types of textures and pigments and see the chemical reactions on the canvas. It's kind of like the same energy creation of crystals and rock formations. I dig that at the moment.

Collage has been very popular among artists for a few years now - what is a good collage to you - since you are also working with that?
I've always loved making collages ever since I was young. Taking found things and making something new with them. I call it "up-recycling art." I like to find things, so to me, a great collage is when there are great found things. When they come together, all the DNA forms something new. Just like when we're created. And I, as the creator of the collage, have a special history with the collages. Even three dimensional objects, like the costumes for the Rainbow Warriors. They are all found pieces, put together and formed to make something new.

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Would you call your work psychedelic in a way - are you drawn to any psychedelic practice? If so, what should be the artistic outcome?
Totally psychedelic. One of my friends even called it PsychTribal. I like that.  I'm drawn to DMT and ayahuasca. Anything to tune into the cosmic unconsciousness. Sometimes I'll sleep for several days at a time and get completely lost in the dream world. I think the outcome of psychedelics is always up to the person.

You had some artist residencies in South Africa - what did you take from it? Did it strengthen your output?  (State of mind, visually, art-wise?)
I took a lot from it for sure. Super Mama Afrika. It's our roots. The sun is different. The nature there is the best with the mountains, rivers, hikes, beaches, waterfalls, fresh water. I took one residency there, but I've returned to it three times. It's become a second home to me. It did strengthen my output. I went through a lot of great life lessons there that strengthened me personally. It's a very inspiring spot. Somewhere I feel very grounded. More than anywhere else. The whole continent is home to me. The music scene there is the best. I like all the grimy township parties with African House and Tribal House music. It's a real party and it keeps bringing me back. Even the kids there, 8 years old, can rap! They're the most amazing.

A recent project was a collaboration with a crew of dancers, could you tell us about it?  (How did you get along with the breakdancers - is it reminiscent of the ZULU nation?)
Yeah! They're called Funky Reflex. They're a breakdance crew. The project originated from the Ubuntu Tribe. Ubuntu means "human consciousness", or being one. With this whole mask thing, no one is themselves, but we create the vibe of the project together. We call it Ubuntu, because it's a union with the South African word Zulu. It means "I am because you are." We did a performance where you come through a portal. That leads to a monster who leads you to a feather aura cleansing. That leads you into a rainbow shower, where more monsters are waiting to clean you with rainbow energy. Then after all that, you're ready to be welcomed by the crystal healer. After your healing, you come to the book master, where you leave a drawing. He gives you a key and you're brought through a tunnel, into the magic teepee. Inside, there is a golden box where the key fits. It's guarded by the teepee monster. Inside the box is a mirror. After that, you finally get a stamp and become Ubuntu. I'd like to travel with this project more and bring it to public places. Bring more oneness throughout and awaken both big kids and small kids alike.

What you are up to at the moment?
I am in LA working on some new projects. That's all I'm going to say for now. Keep your eyez to the skyz.

WORDS: MRK
www.mimomali.com

 

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