Runweb: How did it occur to you to create the Gouzou?
JACE: Chronologically, I started the paint spray in 1989.  I, often did the graffiti with the letterings, combined with the characters.  Very often, I copied to what others did.  But as I go along, I realised that the paintings which were published at the same time as mine, was a bit alike.  I, then feel the need to assert my identity.  I needed to find a character.  In these classical graffiti, the lettering is sumptuous.  Personally, I was more attracted by the characters combined with these typos.  So, I created the Gouzou.  I needed to find a graphics quickly to draw with regard to the street pressure and which is easily identifiable.  Gradually, in taking the ingredients from everywhere, I made my own recipe.                 

 Is the Gouzou born from a pencil line or paint spray in the street?
I, first sketch with either pencil or marker pen.  I still remember clearly the two sheets of sketch whereof I have tried to invent this small character, make him move a little because all the same, it is very concise.  It's not easy to make him move.  Originally, it is nonetheless, fairly static.  The triggering factor was to be distinct from the other graphics and to have a style that is easily identifiable.            

Do you still remember your first "public" Gouzou?
Yea, very well.  It was with a small teddy bear in a squat in Saint-Denis.    

Why Réunion Island?
Simply, because I live here.  It is actually found in the Havre, the town where I come from and in some areas where I visited: New-York, Budapest, Bangkok, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Prague, Bali, Hong-Kong, Tokyo and so on.       

How would you describe yourself? An urban artist?
I don't really like terms.  People can label me as they fancy.  I do my thing without really bothering what others may think or say.  "Graffiti artist" would best describe me.  By the way, I have already been labeled as an "urban artist".        

 And someone who does not know you?
I answer a "painter"

You are exhibiting up to 17th November at the IDM shop in Saint-Pierre.  Between the anonymity of the graffiti artist and the public exposure, there is somehow a contradiction...    
Indeed, there is.  But I'm no longer 15.  The time where I was sketching anonymously everywhere in town, only to say: I am rebellious, seems revolved.  I've grown up.  I am 34 and I'm the father of a 6 year old daughter.   I did other jobs before.  Now, I want to be able to live my passion.  This also goes through this type of event, to be able to sell as well.  I'll also be able to do some paintings which I won't necessarily do in the streets.  It's a complement.           

Is it also a way of progressing, of challenging oneself?
It's also a way of publicizing ones work, in other places.  The exhibition is not the sole aim.  It is a step of publicizing elsewhere.  One must evolve and this is another step in my work.  It's a way of gathering my latest piece of works together to show it to the public.     

You did a great deal of posters. Does their ephemeral aspect suit you?
There is also an ephemeral aspect in the "grafs."  One should know how to remain present and innovate to be able to last.  Designing posters enables me to enrich my universe which is somehow rather limited.  At least, there are fairly a few constraints.  To be able to work with the external factors, characters which already have an expression or an already laid setting, allows me to work on a large format such as the 4x3 which is rather quick because I only need to insert my small stuff.  I enlarge my work.  I also step into people's life.  The Gouzou is not simply an embedded image.  It steps into reality.                 

Does the complexity of the Gouzou rest on the simplicity of its implementation?  With a few pencil lines, it must express feelings, convey a message....
The creation goes through constraints.  This simplicity is indeed a constraint.  I try to convey emotions.  The difficulty also lies in the fact of wanting to innovate more often.  One must avoid proposing the same pictures to people.  One must try to surprise them with each new creation.  This is the toughest job.  One should challenge oneself every time.       

You are regularly being copied from.  Can you stand the fact that kids copy your paintings and draw false Gouzous with marker or spray or perhaps, are you happy, that the story with the Chinese whom you were forced to lodge a complaint?  
Exactly.  There are a few kids who have started to draw false Gouzous with the marker and spray.  In Paris, there is a stencil that is quite alike.  I appreciate this approach.  It is indeed flattering.  I also go through this to achieve what I am today.  I'm proud to find myself at the other side of the barrier and why not, become what is commonly known as a mentor.  But, to see a company making business whether on a large or even a small scale, without asking me the authorisation to do so, of course, it flips me out.             

What happened?
It began since almost three years.  The time needed to assemble the case.  Last year, a positive administrative verdict was given, compelling the company to cease this business.  But any damages were claimed.  Only 1000euros fine was allotted to the Chinese government and I'd to pay the legal fees.      This vice went further on because it's me who is compelled to pay for the cancellation fees of the registration of a trademark in China.  I know that some of my graffiti are still being copied.  Three months ago, I was in Bangkok and I saw one on a t-shirt.  Currently, I am involved in a lawsuit with a Mauritian brand, claiming that it is unaware of the Gouzou.  It's been a year since am involved in a lawsuit with them but I won't give up.             

The next adventure of Gouzou ?
A wider horizon.  I would like to animate it, enliven it through a video.  Then, also exports it, makes it travel and places it in different situations from those of Réunion Island.  I would like to place it in other settings.  

Can Jace  shelve the Gouzou and stop thinking of it ?
I don't know, you should ask him...These last months, I carried out other plans.  But, I put it aside.  I need to feel great, have a free spirit.  So, it happened that I spend some time without him.  There are the recession phases.  Perhaps, I'll grow tired of it one day.  It's been all the same, fifteen years that I'm living with it.  As I go along, it followed my journey.  I think it'll always be by my side.         

Interview conducted by Véronique Tournier
November 2007

http://www.gouzou.net/