Portrait #8: Maze, labyrinthine walk in Marseille 💦

By Florent IsidoreApril 21, 2024

Portrait #8 : Maze, promenade labyrinthique dans Marseille 💦 - Tilipix

Hello Maze, can you tell us more about the choice of your pseudonym?

I create labyrinth mosaics. "Maze" simply means labyrinth in English.

What was your first contact with urban art? What made you want to get involved in it?

My first encounter with urban art was through the various works I saw while walking around, whether it was Invader's mosaics or Monsieur Chat's graffiti, for example. I also really like Pappas Pärlor's street art, which uses fuse beads instead of mosaics. I find the idea of reclaiming public space to express one's creativity and allow it to speak to others incredible.

I've been painting for several years, and I started by putting up stickers of my artwork in the streets. That was my first contact with the street and my first time revealing myself.

Several years passed before I took up mosaics.

If you had to define your style in 3 words, what would they be?

Colored
Symbolic
Infinity

Can you tell us more about your creative process?

I start by quickly sketching the patterns of a maze, and after outlining the main features, I pixelate them. Once the pattern is finished, the manufacturing process is fairly standard.

What are your main sources of inspiration?

It's difficult to answer you, I haven't really thought about it. Obviously, most mosaic street artists inspire me, but it's mainly through their methods.

To create my labyrinths, I don't think about anything in particular, I'm not inspired by any particular feeling or current event. I simply let my mind wander and my creativity express itself.

What do you consider the ideal spot to display your artwork?

I'm a beginner in mosaics; so far I've only pasted my pieces in relatively accessible places. I put up my mosaics when I'm out walking. I haven't yet taken the plunge and tried putting them up high, in the middle of the night, but I'm thinking about it.

The ideal spot would be a place that is busy, visible, and inaccessible at the same time.

Can you tell us about your first mosaic (from the idea to its installation)?

Initially, I wanted to do street art by reproducing video game characters. Before mosaics, I started with fuse beads, which were easier and more practical to handle. But I realized that this already existed; there wasn't really any creative spirit involved, just simple reproduction.
Then, I considered taking a video game character and adapting it. I immediately thought of Toad and modifying his mushroom, but again, that concept already existed. The idea of adapting a video game character also existed (In The Woup does it superbly).

So, I thought about what message I wanted to convey. Perhaps it wasn't the character that mattered, but the symbol itself. A symbol that would speak to everyone, that everyone could interpret, and that could be endlessly replicated. The idea of the labyrinth came to me as the obvious choice after several weeks of reflection. The labyrinth has a strong symbolic value.

I laid my first mosaic while walking near my home.

What cities and countries have you invaded?

So far, I've only installed them in my city, Marseille.

Do you have any idea how many mosaics you've laid?

A dozen.
I have several in stock but I haven't installed them yet.

What is your favorite mosaic?

I don't really have a favorite. Since I'm a beginner, some mosaics are more symmetrical and better executed than others. If I had to choose, these would be my favorites.

Do you have a bad experience to tell us about?

In terms of mosaics, none.

As I was saying, I started with fuse beads, recreating video game characters. I stuck some of them around my house, but they were all stolen… I was saddened by that, but in the end I think that if some people stole my work, it's perhaps because they liked it.

What are your artistic projects and aspirations for this year?

First of all, to continue on my current path. I want to create lots of mosaics of different sizes and colors, and place them in the streets of Marseille.

What's your wildest dream?

I would like people to recognize me as an artist by observing my mosaics and for my mosaics to be identified as my "trademark".

When I started the mosaic, I wondered whether or not I should identify myself. I chose not to. It's true that it can limit my ability to be recognized as an artist, but for me, the artwork comes before the artist. If I chose to do street art, it's primarily to deliver a message.

What is this message you're talking about?

The labyrinth is rich in symbolism and can be interpreted in many ways. It can represent the paths of life that are open to us, the paths we take, the walls we may find ourselves facing at some point in our lives, etc.

Everyone is free to interpret this symbol as they wish, and that is what gives it its power.

And finally, which artist would you like me to interview for the next portrait?

As In The Woup suggested, I really like MifaMosa's mosaics, it would be great to have an interview with him.

Alternatively, you could also interview Zigom Art, Mr Djoul or OPLO NTINO.