Christopher Bettig is for Everyone

February 22, 2011

Los Angeles based artist and designer, Christopher Bettig (of The Mountain Label), is known for his bold colorful graphics and playing with a variety of mediums. He’s always down for a good collaboration and has worked with Puma, Converse, Carhartt, and Urban Outfitters, to name a few. Just to add a cherry on top, he’s one of the sweetest dudes around.

We’ve talked him into designing The Box this month at The Standard, Hollywood and the end result is downright amazing.

Christopher took a few moments to chat with us about his inspiration, gentleman’s clubs, and some other projects he’s got cooking in the pipeline.

(Christopher Bettig: The Box February 2011)

The Standard: Tells us about your inspiration for your piece in The Box.

Christopher Bettig: It’s all about color & light and making simple common objects pretty.

The glass vitrine was conceived as homage to the neighborhood, a tongue and cheek reference to the formerly seedy Sunset Strip and its gentleman’s clubs. We like to label it “Performance Art”. How do you feel about your work sharing space with a live model?

I’ve done so much work involving art in public spaces that it flows pretty naturally… I spent my 20’s developing interiors and displays for Urban Outfitters, I’ve done art installations in Puma stores, and permanent installations in smaller boutiques like Candystore in SF, as well as solo art exhibitions… so people have been a part of the things I make since the beginning.

(Christopher Bettig: The Box February 2011: Detail)

You are really prolific. How many projects do you usually have going at one time? And how do you keep it all straight?

Well, I have a rep, McDermott Management, which definitely helps. But it’s never enough projects… I’m a workaholic.

Which of your collaborations are you most proud of?

I’ve worked with a lot of really great companies over the years, and I’m proud of everything I’ve done, but I think the solo exhibition I did in Edinburgh at Analogue Books in 2010 is my favorite.

Your online shop is really great. How important do you think it is to keep your work accessible to the public?

I grew up as an indie rock kid going to shows in the early 90’s in NYC and was really into making zines, posters and T shirts… all that sort of stuff was a huge part of that world. It’s part of my aesthetic and always will be. I never want someone to come up to me and tell me they love my work and wish they could afford something.. art is for everyone.

(Posters by Christopher Bettig are for sale here)

What’s up next for you?

I’ve got a bunch of new T’s coming out throughout the year with Blood Is The New Black and 2K by Gingham, as well as iPad / Kindle cases coming out soon with M-Edge, I’ve got a bunch of illustrations in a new iPhone app called Dabball, two new editions with Tiny Showcase, some projects I’ve done for clients like Puma are being featured in a new book being released by Artpower in the next few months, and a scarf I designed for the Japan based Link Collective will also be available soon.