“I find myself as my own muse. I see myself as a blank canvas that could be anything.”
Arslane Merabet interview
A look into HooplaEIO’s Instagram stream is like falling into the proverbial rabbit hole — through the lens of an artist, photographer, musician, filmmaker, chameleon and more. After gleaning through just a few images, it becomes increasingly clear, Arslane Merabet has a knack for capturing unique portraitures of everyday-people that populate common places. His own inner compass drives his work, especially so with self-portraits, which reveal a penchant for the absurd. Arslane often portrays a multitude of characters that he seemingly inhabits as effortlessly as trying on new clothes. One can never know for sure what to expect next, “people assume things, but I’m not into anything… I’m a creative compulsive,” Arslane admits.
With social media on the rise, it’s the perfect platform for Arslane to hoist his imagination — often to the point where his personal life transcends and becomes an extension of his art, blurring the line between documentary and fantasy. Arslane is an artist who has the ability to see the world as a both stage and canvas — unafraid to explore, experiment or take risks.
Although his talent lends itself to many mediums, he considers himself, “mainly a filmmaker, I’m an artist but I love film.” So, underneath all those guises: Who is Arslane Merabet? — no, I mean really? Here are excerpts from a conversation that took place at a coffee house in Palm Desert, CA on December 23, 2014.
ON GROWING UP
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Oran, Algeria in North Africa and moved to the Coachella Valley at the age 15.
Was it difficult adapting or making the transition?
No—I adapted pretty easy. It’s all about energy—friendship has no language. It’s cheesy but true. That’s what I find in art: cheesy is pure, and I want to be pure honesty, expressing what I am feeling in the moment. I’m learning to tap into purity—cheesiness.
I think the world is absurd, but it’s also beautiful. Having that notion makes me neutral, which helps me not judge my work.
Does art run in your family?
My brothers create art, but art is not in my family. They are talented but they don’t take it seriously. I’m the only one that takes it seriously. They were the first ones that picked up art and when I saw them, I decided I could do that too.
Who are some artists that inspire you?
The world and every artist inspire me — S. Dali, F. Fellini, and L. Buñuel [he writes the names on paper].
ON CHOOSING A CAREER
When did you realize you wanted to be a filmmaker?
When I found out I could make money doing it.
I wanted to be a lawyer at first but it was too boring.
I never did my homework.
Where your parents supportive?
My parents were not supportive at first, but now they feel I can make it. When you’re a kid, there are three choices that get brought up: doctor, lawyer and firefighter—that’s so sad. Kids are not taught enough to follow their passion. I think the world is learning to get in touch with themselves. People are following their passion now. Art helps me find myself—but anything can help someone find themselves.
What would be your dream project?
An art project that involves hundreds of people—an ensemble of hundreds. My dream is to bring a lot of people together. In normal life, I’m very boring—but art gives me an opportunity to try different things. I don’t like just sitting down and not doing anything.
MUSINGS ON THE COACHELLA VALLEY
I’m more focused on the world in general, but now I’m starting to see the world in the Coachella Valley—Coachella Valley has its own vibe. It’s an island surrounded by mountains—a resort town and everyone is on island-time because everyone is easygoing. I think it’s good. I wanted to leave, but now that I’m older, I’m happy to be here. I think that when you get older you start to get comfortable. When you’re younger, the desert offers you leisure and not enough adventure.
Things go in cycle. I love that whatever is happening now will last. These are good times in the Coachella Valley. In the 80’s and 90’s they had spring break here and old people killed it. How long before old people get annoyed and ask us to turn down the music? Let’s be hopeful. Old people don’t need the economy. Hopefully we will learn to live together.
ON MUSIC
In 2005, I picked up my first instrument when my brother started playing guitar. I like keyboards too, just because you can do everything with it. One thing I learned is to make art with anything around. I don’t have any favorite things.
How did you come up with the stage name: Alfa Cologne?
It’s a character name for a story I wrote in college about a perfumist. As Alfa Cologne, I just play whatever I feel like, but my main goal is to make cologne — my main goal in music is to sell cologne.
Do you wear a lot of cologne?
No — it’s pure business.
ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
I think the music industry is funny. I care more about having a project done than being a musician—the feeling of accomplishment. I just consider myself an artist. I probably have personality disorder—I don’t like being one thing. People assume things but I’m not into anything—everything in moderation.
I know I’m going to die at one point, so I want to take everything in before I die. I want to experience the world.
ON FILM
I definitely want to start my first feature film. I want to give birth to a feature film—I feel like my biological clock is ticking. I just feel now is the right time. I want to film something in the desert—there’s some form of energy here that inspires people to do things and make art, and it produces a lot of talented artists.
ON HOOPLA EIO
I started Hoopla when I started being more professional about film. I was working on commercials—Hoopla was the happiest sounding word. Hoopla is me. This is how I present myself. It’s just me right now, but in the future I want to hire other artists to work for Hoopla if there’s a commercial or photo shoot that comes up. I love collaboration. Hoopla is my studio. Hoopla is my factory.
ON INSTAGRAM:
It’s compulsive; it has to do with me having to do things.
I get an idea—if there’s no one there—I’ll take a picture of myself. I do it to stay stimulated—I don’t want to wait to make art. I just want to keep doing it. I find myself as my own muse. I see myself as a blank canvas that could be anything. I love people. I want to involve people into what is fun—art is fun. When I take picture or videos, I don’t like to get professional people; I like to get people who are normal.
IN CLOSING:
In the future, how do you want to be remembered?
To associate me with happiness.
ARTIST: ARSLANE MERABET
HOMETOWN: LA QUINTA, CA
WEB: HOOPLAEIO.COM