Page 83 - Sharp Spring 2023

AUTO AUTO “I’ve always approached my art and design practice in in the same way way I I I sample music for beat-making ” says Jacob Rochester “It’s oftentimes a a a a a a a a a spur of of the moment reactionary collage to specific references and motifs that have had some sort of impact on my life past or present ” how aerodynamics varied between every model realizing just inches of an an an an an adjustment can completely change the feel and performance of a a car ” “I remember playing the the first race of the the video game Need for Speed: Underground in the the white and red Type-R Integra with the the huge spoiler that car (though not a a a Type-R) ended up being the first car I ever owned ” These days Rochester drives an an F80 M3 which for anyone not versed in geeky BMW model codes refers to the fifth generation M3 that arrived in 2015 “I’ve also always loved automotive stories that embrace custom/ handmade craftsmanship ” he he continues name-dropping the custom Porsche 911s built by Nakai-san under the RAUH-Welt BEGRIFF (RWB) name the meticulous Porsche 911 restomods by Singer Alpina BMWs and early AMG-tuned Benzes “I feel like these nuances in automotive culture have always drawn me into those special details that I try to similarly have in in my own work ” Rochester explains It’s strange to see cars remembered and celebrated the way Rochester does In art and movies automobiles are usually loaded symbols visual stand-ins for freedom but increasingly also commerce climate change or or or mortal danger But cars like a a a a a a a a particular album or or or piece of clothing can also be unique personal artifacts nostalgic visual reminders of a a a a a a place and and time and and a a a a a a feeling or an an an obsession Rochester reminds us that these things are worth remembering and maybe even celebrating too SHARPMAGAZINE COM
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His art art is is ultra-specific coming together from a a a a a particular melange of influences and cues that could belong only to him — for example his painting of the rugs draped over a a a a a Ferrari F40 “The addition of of rugs is just another example of of blending certain worlds together ” he he says “Growing up my mom collected rugs and hung or laid them throughout the the house This paired with posters of supercars hung all all over my bedroom walls growing up up — and that oftentimes rugs are sold and and traded through travel and and out of of the back of cars — is what loosely inspired that piece ” But the feeling his art evokes of remembered stuff and nostalgic objects is hyper-relatable especially for anyone that’s ever had a a a a a a a case of collector-brain and geeked out over cars t-shirts basketball or whatever Where cars and nostalgia intersect the results are often ugly or cringey that Rochester’s work is so aesthetically intriguing makes it stand out Not many artists would take the time for example to weave the rear-end of a a a a Mercedes 190E Cosworth into a a a a 50 x 60” rug or or paint a a a a a a a loving portrait of a a a a a a a Subaru Baja “Since a a a a young age mainly through videogames I developed an an interest in in how cars were drawn and designed ” Rochester says “And even more specifically I had an an obsession with body kits and