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Linear Lexicon: The Magic of Maggie Lochtenberg
At the young age of 21, Maggie Lochtenberg’s technique, conceptualism and style far supersede her age. She started making art and was recognized for it at a very young age. The popular clothin
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap]t the young age of 21, Maggie Lochtenberg’s technique, conceptualism and style far supersede her age. She started making art and was recognized for it at a very young age. The popular clothing line, Free People, interviewed her for her photography when she was 16-years-old and still in high school. Her aesthetic style and acute attention to detail in all her work has grown exponentially since then. To put it simply, she quite literally has the world at her fingertips. Lochtenberg paints, draws, takes unbelievably ethereal Polaroids, and recently decided to teach herself how to tattoo. She frequently practices on her own skin. She playfully tells us, “I tattooed seven white dots below my eyes sitting in a cabin, on the floor in my underwear and looking at a small hand mirror.” She was kind enough to sit down with CULTURE and answer a few of our questions about current projects, future projects and to pry into where she draws her inspiration.
What kind of artist do you call yourself?
An escape artist.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Lately, I have been particularly self-interested and self-reflective, so when my intellect has exhausted itself in analysis, I turn to art as a visual expression of whatever I am experiencing, as both an escape from my personality and a celebration of creative energy.
Can you share any thoughts you might have on the cannabis legalization movement?
Right now I think that as an entire culture, all of our fears about the flower and any hesitations we have about its legalization should be treated as a call to reverence for the plant and it’s virtually limitless potential.
What projects are you currently working on?
Currently I’m working with my friend, Taylor Ramirez on a fashion project called Vulture Vintage. It’s been a lot of fun so far. We silk screen our own designs on vintage tees and I also do a lot of hand-painted and embroidered garments. Also, I’m working on a personal series of drawings. The series explores themes of innocence and sexuality and the adulteration of a natural mysticism we inherit as humans. I’m saving those for release in the next issue of Slow Toast, an incredible, independent art magazine. I have also been experimenting with drawing while listening to my heartbeat with a stethoscope, mostly dots, abstract stuff. I shoot a lot of film, medium format, 35mm, Super 8, VHS, digital, whatever. And I’ve turned my car into an ongoing art project. It’s an old Cadillac converted into a moving shrine. The inside is covered in gold leaf and is full of silk, crystals, flowers, photographs and religious idols. It’s really fun to drive too, like sailing a boat.
Ideas for the future?
I’d like to keep working with the stethoscope, see where that takes me. I want to get into animation, more collage work as well and glasswork would be cool too. Photo painting is very pleasurable. I also want to write more and make more of my own clothes and furniture.
Where do you find peace?
I hardly ever find peace. But, when I stop looking, it finds me.
What are you trying to communicate with your work?
I don’t know, myself. Everything I make is a self-portrait, right now. They say it’s a phase, but what do they know?
