Carri Munden describes her ‘CassettePlaya’ label as “techno, primal, positive, tribal”. Her influences include science fiction, 90’s rave, African prints and skater fashion. She has produced work for the likes of Nike, MIA, Klaxons and Dizzee Rascal, amongst others.
Her more recent work has seen her using augmented reality to superimpose three dimentional graphics onto the wearer of her specially coded apparel.
Today I talk to her about her tribal influences and the idea of the three dimentional graphics she uses being a form of temporary tattoo.
In what way does the ‘tribal’ inspiration influence your work? Is it just the aesthetic or are there other characteristics of the concept of a ‘tribe you are honing in on?
TRIBAL IS ABOUT BELIEVING IN A SHARED SET OF BELIEFS AND VALUES, FOR ME ITS ABOUT BEING AN INDIVIDUAL BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF SHARED IDENTITY + UNITY.
The idea that your designs “make male wearers more ‘masculinated'”, I guess this could be part if the tribal/primal influence?
What do you think about the idea of what you are doing is creating a tribe, with you being the queen?!
LOL I’M NOT THE QUEEN , EVERYONE IS THEIR OWN LEADER
What do you think about the role of the tribe today?
THE INTERNET ALLOWS THE POSSIBILITY OF A GLOBAL TRIBES / STYLE TRIBES.
What do you think about the role of fashion in tribes today?
FASHION/ STYLE IS WAY OF COMMUNICATING TO OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS
You’re recent work with augmented reality uses images superimposed onto clothing and bodies. How do you see this idea developing (both within your quest to ‘make the real world more like a computer game’ and other applications of this idea) and what are you currently doing that explores this?
WE ARE DEVELOPING THIS INTO A PRODUCT THAT ALLOWS THE USER TO EXPERIENCE THIS ON THEIR OWN COMPUTER
The connection between tribal, tattoos and the use of superimposed images, is this just a coincidence I’ve dreamt up or do you think that they are related, deliberate or not?
[THEY ARE] ALL FORMS OF EXTENDED IDENTITY
The recent trend in temporary tattoos has captured the interest of a market that wouldn’t normally be interested in tattoos, do you think your use of Augmented reality could do something similar?
I HOPE SO
Is the technology for the consumer currently capable of doing what you want it to do?
YES 😉 AND IF NOT WE WILL BUILD IT!
Do you have any tattoos yourself? Why?
YES A GIANT ROSE + BARBED WIRE ON MY THIGH, I LIKE ROSES + WEST COAST / LOW RIDER STYLE TATTOOS.
