©HIMERAware

Looking for a new graphic tee this Spring? Artist and entrepreneur, Josh Levine, has expanded his work to the realm of clothing with cool animal hybrids on tanks and t-shirts in his new shop called ©HIMERAware.

302: As an artist, what do you think the main difference is between art in LA, NY or Miami?
JL: Truth be told, I do miss New York, but not the city, more the artist community that I was involved with there. I miss the fact that on any given evening you can go to Chelsea and hit 10-20 openings in one place. Maybe it’s because I am still really new to LA. Being out here for just over a year, I forgot how much work I put into creating my art community in NYC. In LA, everything is so spread out. I’ll probably look back at this in a few years and say I was so naive and just didn’t know how to avoid traffic yet. As for Miami, I have been involved with Miami’s art scene over the years, especially during Art Basel Miami Beach, however, I am really not involved in it during the other 355 days of the year. I moved away from Miami almost 10 years ago to head up to NY. I was very active with trying to foster what little art scene existed back then, but am merely a spectator to what is going on down there now. I do still appreciate the fact that I am still acknowledged as part of the Miami art world and am glad to see that it has matured into a growing force in the art world at-large, but I remember how it was pre-ABMB. It could easily go back to that state if ABMB leaves, since the newer crop of artists don’t have a reference point without it’s HUGE influence.

302: What inspires your work?
JL: The main influences in my artwork are science and technology and the principles behind them. I am a junkie for science television shows and gain most of my information through visuals. I am a huge believer in the phrase, “Better living through Science" and would say that I believe in that principle more than I do a religious one. I think that we, as humans, will evolve to our next state through science. I feel that science is inherently neutral, that is to say that it is neither good or bad. It's how we use this knowledge/principles that determines how it is perceived. I think the possibilities of what we will be able to do and achieve through genetic modification and manipulation are amazing, unfortunately not everyone's ethics are as noble as others.

302: I know that ©HIMERAware is an extension of your art. What made you decide to open shop?
JL: Over the years I have been making these animal hybrids and chimeras as computer collages that I would then redraw as either large or small works on paper. I have always struggled with the fact that as much as I love them, they are not always understood or loved by the art public as much as I’d like them to be. When I've had people over to the studio, they’ve given me comments on how they’d make great designs for t-shirts, so I had been digesting that idea for awhile. I finally decided that maybe these images would get better exposure from a more consumer based product than an art world based product. I’ve had a few merchandise shops on CafePress since 2003 selling merchandise with my ©1972 logo and A$$ (Art $uper $tar) logo, and it seemed to be the easiest way for me to approach an online merchandise venture. In February of this year, I finally bit the bullet and opened ©HIMERAware at CHIMERAwareOnline.com. Really, it’s all about trying to get the ideas behind my artwork out there through a more popular cultured medium, fashion.

302: Any collection highlights?
JL: The prankster in me really likes the thong underwear. Don’t want to give too much away about it, but I am waiting for the first person to post a picture of themselves wearing them on my ©HIMERAware Facebook page.

302: What's next for your art and ©HIMERAware?
JL: As for what’s next for ©HIMERAware, I add new images and merchandise on a sporadic bases. As I make new designs, they will slowly show up on the site. As for what’s happening with my artwork, I have a few shows coming up. I will be in a group show, RIPE, at d.e.n. contemporary art in Culver City at the end of April, DREAM(land) at Jail Gallery in Chinatown in May, FESTA BARROCA at the Pavilion for Contemporary Arts in Milan in July (museum show), and another group show curated by Martha Otero at Jail Gallery in September

302: Do you still have a leopard head?
JL: Since I still have hair, it’s still leopard. I’m just stalking prey out here in LA.

To contact Josh and view his artwork, visit copyright1972.com. To view his new ©HIMERAware shop, click here. He urges everyone to "now go buy some shit!"