Union Recap: Julian Klincewicz's Hey I Like You

We met up with artist Julian Klincewicz to talk about his latest fashion project "Hey, I Like You" down at the San Diego Art Institute. The Q&A was between Julian and Union Intern Tony Camaro (Photos of the line below) T: To start off, what are your thoughts on tonight? J: It went really well, way more people showed up than I thought, which was cool. We even had to turn some people away which is a bummer. I was thinking of it as an art piece but I think based on the audience people took it as a runway presentation which I thought was very flattering. T: You're working in all of these different mediums, is this a step into this design / fashion world or is it all just apart of your overall art in general? J: I mean I think the idea sort of came because a lot of my video work is based in fashion, which is kinda something that just happened you know? The body of work "Hey, I Like You" looks and relates to the relationship between humans and precious objects and how those objects create a sense of empathy and connection. I think, to me, I've put on a shirt and felt connected to somebody else so it all feels like a natural extension of that atmosphere. T: When did you start getting into art, when did you realize it was what you wanted to do? J: I think I've always been interested in art, before that it was only skating and then skating kinda turned into art for me and then I think when I was 19 I had sort of realized I wanted to be an artist but felt uncomfortable saying I was. I went to Tokyo and met with my friend Joanna, we were just having a talk and I realized that somebody else saw me as an artist, it wasn't just me being like, I like art. From that point on I felt more comfortable saying I'm an artist. T: That amazing. J: Thats the way I see the world, I'm not faking it. Its what I feel and what I see. T: What are your thoughts on youth culture? J: I don't know, I mean, I don't think I'm old enough to have an adult look on youth culture, I just like making stuff. In the casting we have a 16 year old and a 65 year old. I think its about people and what you feel and how you wanna live. T: I think thats a beautiful way to look at life. You looking at your craft as simply something you want to be doing is just a pure way of seeing things. J: At the end of the day we're all people, I've been thinking about this a lot right, the position of an artist. Theres so much dedication to your work that thats the only thing that matters. You as a person don't matter that much because you are a vessel to this bigger thing. I don't think thats quite good enough or works today, what I see is that people need to feel connected. You can do something great but I think human connection is more important. If you do something important but don't feel ok, I don't think thats the best. T: I think you're right. J: The artist that inspires me, I look at their work and they transport me into another world so like regardless of if your a celebrity designer and I got to shoot your video or if you're the high school kid that come to the show because its free, like its all just engaging with people, you know? T: I love that you think about it like that, its cool. J: Yeah dude. T: Do you have a goal for yourself? J: I'd like to just make artwork full time, which is what I'm able to do now so its all good. T: And how old are you? J: 21 T: Right on, I think what your doing is so important for culture and I appreciate that you see the beauty of bringing people together, the energy of seeing that connection tonight was really something special that I'm glad we were all apart of it. J: Damn, thank you, wanna go dance! Photos by Tony Camaro