FRED RINNE, ARTIST
“As an American I feel that I have grown up bathed in pop schlock against my will. It was always the background noise of my culture… Instead of a real culture where songs actually mean something, we have this junk culture of entertainment working on the principle of planned obsolescence. We don’t have to eat the same hamburgers, listen to the same music, or see the same images. I struggle for a world where every man can be his own Manilow.”
San Francisco visual and performance artist Fred Rinne has exhibited solo and collaborative works since 1984. Fred is co-founder of sound performance groups National Disgrace and the Bringdownzz. Painting and sculpture by Fred Rinne has shown internationally.
Did you feel “different” as a kid?
Yeah- I was a total nerd. I was really into fossils…my partner and I discovered a few fossilized fish. I was into oldies music and used to listen to Wolfman Jack and Art LeBoe late at night. Whenever me and the other kids would play Army, I’d always pick the enemy and play some sort of Viet Cong or Soviet Bloc troop. My folks were pretty much Beatniks and we found it hard to relate to any of the adults on the street.
Who was your childhood role model?
There were lots of them. I always liked the Indians – there were many in Crescent City where we lived until we moved to Canoga Park in So CA. Famous historical figures like Geronimo of the Apaches, or Captain Jack of the Modocs… also the guy who built the Watts Towers, Simon Rodia. He said, “I just wanted to do something nice for people.” And just did it. They’re still there today.
How do you find your art and inspiration?
Like the fossils I sought as a kid, I am attracted to the detritus of our culture – there’s so much of it! Old movie ads, expired videos, used records all speak to a bogus thrown-out reality. The “news” is equally bad theater as is most politics. By blending or smashing them together, a new truth can emerge.
Is there a theme maintained throughout your work?
I wrote in a story one character saying, “Goddamn Future’s a FLOP!” which could be one unifying theme. I’m actually glad for the Failure of Order and the Triumph of Funk. Disobedient, unorganizable rabble are the hope of humanity not the problem. Like many Americans, I had long chafed under the tyranny of the commercial Pop world of music and television that had warped our brains beyond recognition. Through art I believe I can heal the wounds inflicted upon us all by Pop.
What is your most notable adventure?
Probably when I moved to San Francisco. I got there by hitchhiking from Anchorage Alaska to Berkeley California. I rode for days on end, saw the Aurora, saw the sweep of this huge continent we live on. One morning I woke up surrounded by horses. They’d stood there all night. All that occurred and the people I met gave me a sense of faith in the world.
Is there an accomplishment you’d like to share?
I had a band called “The Bringdownzz” and we put out a record “Listen To Our Minds” which was rated the Worst Record Of The Year by New Music Express Magazine.
What makes you the most happy?
I like growing my own food. I like cooking up something brilliant to share. (I’m focusing on Catalan cooking these days) Something that involves a back and forth conversation. Thanks to Booklyn.org many of my artists’ books are in college libraries an are available to the students. The front yard where I live is solid California Poppies. Moms pushing strollers like to stop and hang out for a while so the babies have something to look at. That could be the best thing I’ve ever done.
