MEGALOPEDIA x Vogue Italia

Megalopedia is created by Samoan/German artist Vincenzi - a covid-lockdown picture-scribbler (who is also a Media Artist/Creative Director from Melbourne Australia). For the last few years he’s been working on Climate Change projects in the South Pacific. However once going into lockdown last year he devised Megalopedia as a fun drawing project that would connect his love of words with his interest in obscure deep dives." Here's our Q&A with the artist.

How did your interest in illustration get started?
I used to collect comics as a kid, and then started making my own. It’s a great introduction to visual storytelling. Eventually I learnt about Robert Crumb and other underground cartoonists and discovered the different subversive possibilities of illustration. Drawing is something I’ve always enjoyed coming back to.

What about your background?
My background is more in film and new media. I was initially studying creative media but for any pursuit I’ve always gained the most from real life experience and diving into the deep end. A baptism by fire. I guess I have more experimental interests which is why I’ve been working in the VR/AR realm. I’m currently focussing on Climate Change projects in the South Pacific, being half Polynesian. I also have a background in music which resulted in a few years of circling the globe, performing at various festivals from Coachella to Glastonbury. I think that state of travel inspired my prevalence for roving pursuits. Regarding Fashion, we were living in Paris at the time so we connected with much of that scene. I do remember some fashion weeks happenings. Did some Louis Vuitton job, and some Balenciaga soundtrack and ate raw horse. It’s all very French over there. Now I just spend my days drawing in my lockdown pyjamas on a bean bag. 

Can you walk us through your creative process?
For me it’s often about connecting two disparate concepts that appeal to me. On one hand I’m into exploring big ideas and doing extensive deep dives to learn as much as I can about particular subjects. I’ve always been a hyper-obsessive Redditor which is a fun starting point for many topics. And on the other hand I’m also into experimenting with high concept visuals, as a focussed way to view the world from new perspectives. If I can connect these two ideas then I feel I’m heading in the right direction.  

Did you conceive the Megalopedia project especially for social media?
I did. My other media productions are often long term commitments with complex trajectories. I liked that Megalopedia would be an outlet to explore an idea and post, as quickly as it takes to draw. It’s the independence and immediacy of it all. It also stemmed from Covid lockdown. We had our first lockdown where we weren’t allowed to leave our homes for a few months so I picked up drawing again. I’ve made some largish meme accounts in the past, but I was basically just reposting things from reddit or doing cheesy photoshops so I never felt I was achieving much creatively. In the end I just wanted to start on something which I felt more fulfilling. I love etymology, and I like to draw, so it made sense to create my own visual dictionary. 

And does social media influence in any way your creative work?
I guess so, though I probably feel a little bit out of step with the world. Most people in these fields are more active in networking or publicising their wares, but I’ve always been more private. Most of my friends don’t know I’ve started this page. I guess I’m also still developing the tone. Initially when I started it was anonymous and more acerbic. In lockdown the world was going pear shaped and I used it to enter lots of difficult conversations with strangers over various sensitive topics. I also had acquaintances posting Q-anon and MLM and vaccination conspiracies. It was a strange time. But after a while I realised I wasn’t going to help by throwing spit-balls from the back of class. Since then I’ve actually made lots of interesting friends and discussions through this, with strangers with different values from different corners of the globe. The power of social media I suppose. One time Ottolenghi reposted a pic so then I was followed by lots of foodies. Then some brutalist design page reposted a pic so then I was followed by lots of architects. This project is still in its infancy but with each new post and picture purge it develops closer to where I want it to be. 

How does the link between words and images work for you?
We live in a visual culture so the images are imperative to bring these concepts to life. 

What are you looking for in an illustration?
I’ll often try to simplify my drawings, hopefully without hindering their ability to encapsulate the concept effectively. In the past I’d normally just photoshop everything, which would be a lot easier. However something about hand drawn pictures definitely makes a topic more human and accessible. That’s probably important for when we dive down more treacherous rabbit holes. 

What kind of impact would you like to have with your Megalopedia project?
Ultimately I just want to find obscure or abstract moments or feelings or concepts, and elevate them with a new word. In a way that connects with people. I’d love it if any of these words burst free from the page and entered public use. In the end, language is a living entity and once people decide to use it then it becomes legitimised as a “real” word. So if anyone sees a word here that connects then please use it. 

Do you think words shape the world we inhabit?
Yes, words have immense power in how we engage with the world and its issues. Language is alive and evolving. That’s how it keeps pace with the world. And it’s why etymology is so fascinating. It provides insightful clues as to how society has progressed. So many words become little signposts of history. In regards to race and sex and gender, language is pivotal to how we enter that discourse. We’re used to seeing people arguing with one another on a single topic, but with seperate definitions of key words. I guess you saw the news last year when the Merriam-Webster dictionary changed their definition of the word “racism” to incorporate the aspect of systemic oppression. Those changes make a big difference. I guess it’s always been a verbal minefield out there. I’m not surprised that the most prominent linguists such as Noam Chomsky, Steven Pinker and John McWhorter are all highly political, and controversial in their own respects. 

What are the underlying influences and inspiration in your art?
For me, it’s an opportunity to explore new topics and to do deep dives regarding perspectives I hadn’t previously considered. For instance for this Vogue project I initially said I’d send through 10 words and pictures related to the culture of fashion. But once I started and explored these new perspectives I ended coming up with over 150. Whenever I have time or am inspired I’m always drawing these up. The fact that I haven’t posted most likely reveals that I just appreciate that opportunity to learn. Some may just be funny memes, but others stem from issues which I hadn’t always engaged with seriously. I’ll maybe post everything up eventually. 

Do social and political issues influence your work?
They do influence my work, and I’ll often reflect social themes which I think are important, such as algorithmic bias or exploitation. But I still want the page to be welcoming and funny, without being too severe or antagonistic. I’ve had earlier projects, and even at the start of this one, comprising more confronting material which would end up causing arguments and division. But for now I prefer more fun and relatable concepts which connect people. I can occasionally slide in something more provocative, but it will likely be couched beside a picture about feeding seagulls. 

You are also involved in a project on the impact of Climate Change. Can you talk to us about it?
I guess it’s tied to my Polynesian background but I’ve been working on a few projects in the South Pacific islands the last few years. One is a Virtual Reality experience exploring the impacts of Climate Change on a Samoan village. It was selected as part of a program to be staged at La Biennale di Venezia, so we were planning on visiting Italy until Covid made travel impossible. I’ll post a few of these projects up on my website soon https://sensory.systems Aside from this I’m partnering up with this great recycling group in Samoa and we’re developing some experimental design, fashion and art projects utilising repurposed materials. Exploring some interesting cultural experiments. There’s lots of really talented people over there so I think it will develop into something unique and interesting. Considering the state of the world you have to be inventive to make interesting things happen.