Zoey Taylor and David Connelly, aka Dosshaus, create inventive sculptures and installations with cardboard, elevating this humble material to art. This Los Angeles-based duo collaborates, sculpts, and paints, creating another world.
Here’s a snippet of their conversation with Cloth Paper Scissors and a taste of their unique art. See lots more in the Fall 2018 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.
Cloth Paper Scissors: In terms of materials, what did you experiment with before you decided cardboard was the best medium, and why didn’t the other materials work for you?
Dosshaus: We worked in a variety of mediums before settling on cardboard, but cardboard was the only medium that allowed us to do everything we wanted to artistically.
Cloth Paper Scissors: What is the greatest obstacle you have ever encountered since starting this collaboration?
Dosshaus: That’s a hard question to answer. It may seem absurd, but we have never had an argument. But this again comes back to treating each other with respect, as equals. When you start on the same foot it’s easy to walk in the same direction.
Cloth Paper Scissors: When you were growing up, did either of you create a similar kind of fantasy world with whatever materials you had on hand?
Dosshaus: Not surprisingly, we both spent a lot of time in our own imaginations as children. It’s one of the things that makes our collaboration so strong. Neither of us bats a lash at spending hours, days, and weeks creating our own fantasy world.
Cloth Paper Scissors: Who has been an influence on your work, and do you find yourselves now becoming an inspiration for other artists?
Dosshaus: Our influences are abundant and diverse, far too many to mention in one go. But you can find references to many of our influences within the art we create.
Cloth Paper Scissors: What type of feedback do you get from people after they see your work, especially after viewing it for the first time?
Dosshaus: It’s been heartening that the response to our work has been mostly very positive. The sense of fun and spontaneity translates for many people. It’s interesting for us to see the initial shock as they enter into the fabricated cardboard world. And it’s even more rewarding to see that surprise gradually wear off and be replaced by the focus on our smallest details.
Enjoy this sampling of their artwork: