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Portfolio of the Week: BooksIIII – “Don't Sleep, Always Dream” October 12, 2009

The man can cook up something fierce with a laser. Books Bischof a.k.a. BooksIIII is a Miami-based artist and designer whose company, Blackbooks, is always pushing the creative envelope using techniques like laser engraving to make stencils, installation pieces, and all manner of amazing custom designs. A mainstay of the Miami Art Community, BooksIIII is the founder and head curator of the internationally renowned Street Art installation "Primary Flight" for Art Basel Miami, taking place this year on December 2-6 in Miami's Wynwood Art District. Read on as we get some very special one-on-one time with this "totally uncool" (his words!) innovator and entrepreneur.

Q: When did you decide to start making art? Was there a particular experience or person that pushed you in a creative direction?

A: We always made. It was always in us to make something, at some point of the day, for some reason.

Never was there one person, more like groups of people, driving us in multiple directions for many different reasons, it just happens to be that we ended up where we are at, and we always find a way to push through our madness.

Q: Your company, Blackbooks, is called an "experimental design house". What does that mean, exactly?

A: It is a simple and vague way to describe what we do. At Blackbooks, we make so many different products, we design in so many different styles, we customize so many different printed materials, that over time, our clients end up coming to us for that "New New" or that dream idea. We are always experimenting, fabricating new laser-compatible materials, new ways to engrave, cut, and add more to what is possible when printing with an encased C02 Laser.

Q: Why BooksIIII? Are there advantages to having an artistic alias, besides that it sounds cooler?

A: I can't read so I thought the name was ironic. As for sounding "cooler," everyone who knows me knows I am an asshole and totally uncool.

Q: Well, your exhibition for Art Basel Miami, Primary Flight sounds really cool. What is your role in this event, and why is it special?

A: We founded the exhibition in 2007. We had already been painting walls during Basel, so we figured we would invite our fam to paint as well. We organize, curate, and participate in the exhibition each year, which comes with a ton of responsibility.

It is arguably the largest of its nature in the world and there is no mainstream sponsor for the exhibition. Artists who participate know its worth and come for one reason alone: to get loose on the streets of Miami. Primary Flight is the first street level museum and it came to be naturally.

Q: Looking ahead, what are some of the projects you have in the works, or lingering on the creative horizon?

A: Each day brings something new but for now we are preparing for Primary Flight and our first interior exhibition during Art Basel at Art Center SF called "Blue Print for Space".

We are also working on a jewelry project with the TM Sisters. The TM Sisters have become a staple to the Miami Arts Community. Their art is inspiring and we are super hyped to work with them. I am also looking forward to starting my reading classes.

Q: Can you sum up your creative style in a single sentence?

A: Don't Sleep, Always Dream.