FIRST GEAR: BLOCKBOY ‘N FRIEND$ X EB MOTORS

In our 3rd FIRST GEAR feature, @ceethekreator of @blockboynfriends walks us through the process of collaboration by integrating the worlds of art, fashion, and automotive culture alongside @ebmotors_za. Together with their collaborative partners, a universe that celebrated and inspired the exploration of these worlds through one experience was formed. Cee elaborates on how it all came together in our
conversation.

INTERVIEW:

What inspired the collaboration between the BlockBoy and the EB Motors premium company?

Growing up, I became a young car enthusiast through how much car content I consumed back then. Through various forms; from some of my favourite gaming experiences-need for speed, Midnight Club,  and shows like Top Gear and constantly just flipping through AutoTrader magazines. I  had this growing passion for cars and this carried through into my adulthood and is something that I’m still quite passionate about right now. So the opportunity to work with EB Motors on this project, I didn’t hesitate.

How does the art created on the cars reflect the aesthetics or values of the BlockBoy brand?

The art on both the Mclaren & Porsche represents the brand through my use of iconography and special design motifs that can be identified from different characters in the BBNF universe. For example, the prominent use of teeth on the Mclaren is a reference to Big Blu, one of Blockboy’s closest companions. Phrases used like w’s only & dream big kid reflect our mission to inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams and to trust their ideas.

Can you walk us through the process of creating art on the cars? Please take us through the techniques and materials used?

What I had to work on first, was the camo design for the Porsche that was a digital process. I made the design on my computer using software like Photoshop,  Illustrator, and After Effects. This was done in collaboration with M-Town Customs. I put together the design and sent it through to them and they did their magic in a pretty short window of time. So, a big shout out to M-Town. Once I saw the McLaren for the first time, I basically got to work immediately, because I mean I didn’t have much time, so the car was already wrapped white on most of the body panels, white being the areas that I could paint on. Everything else, I had to protect before I could start painting, so that meant I had to mask the car using masking tape and drop sheets. The masking process was very long because, I mean, a  McLaren is not a regular car. It’s a beautifully sculpted, complex design so just trying to figure out all the types of ways I had to mask the supercar took a while, about 36 hours of work, just protecting it. I started painting immediately after the masking process and that was another two days of work so all in all you could say working on the McLaren took four days, up to the last hour. The design on the McLaren was something I had fun with, in the moment and turned out pretty great. I’m very proud of how things came out.

What message or statement do you hope to convey through the art on the cars and this collaboration?

I hope to inspire the kids to pursue their wildest dreams, even if things feel far-fetched at first. Their aspirations are worth taking seriously, and this can serve as an example of how far things can go if you constantly apply yourself to achieve your goals. Also i want to highlight that amazing things can come out of collaborations, i hope it can encourage more brands to invest more in the creative space in South Africa.

How do you see this collaboration impacting the automotive and fashion industries?

I think this project could encourage more brands and dealerships to collaborate on projects. Leading to more fun and experiential events incorporating the different strengths of South African artists’ visual styles

Tell us about the fashion show that accompanied this collaboration. How were the cars integrated into the show?

The fashion show was done in collaboration with local brand @boyde__official by @samkeloboyde. Blockboy ‘n Friend$ is a brand that strongly believes in the power of collaboration, the ‘friends’ part of our brand name represents this pillar. Working with Boyde was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity for Samkelo to showcase his luxurious tastes before representing us in Paris at Fashion Week.

What was the reaction from the audience at the fashion show and what was being showcased?

The crowd loved the work @samkeloboyde’s has done with his brand @boyde__official. Boyde is a distinguished contemporary African luxury brand. By putting emphasis on sustainability and longevity Samkelo is redefining fashion. On the night the Afromodernism collection was showcased.

How do you envision the future of collaborations between fashion and automotive industries?

I envision a colour future with these industries more willing to take risks to create beautiful displays of art and spectacle

What challenges did you face during this collaboration, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was painting the McLaren. Including all the masking work it was a seriously tough challenge to get through. Fortunately, I had friends assist me through the process big shoutout to my homies @unproclaimed_dk, @samurai_farai, & @jaybe_gumede

What advice would you give to other brands looking to collaborate across different industries?

I advise them to reach out to creatives they see in the space. The potential for creating an unforgettable experience is huge.