Artist Andy Kassier’s tongue-in-cheek, affluent alter ego is so precisely crafted that it’s often difficult to tell where one persona ends and the other begins. Through his work, he calls into question our own virtual alter egos: who exactly are we when we turn our camera on ourselves, add a filter, and write a profound image caption?
In one photo he is at the beach sitting shirtless astride a white horse. In another, he’s in a hotel dressing gown, holding a bottle of champagne. In the next he sits naked on the peak of a snow-capped mountain, a fur coat around his shoulders. Tennis whites, supercars, a winning smile – to scroll through his social media channels is to scroll through a perfectly-manufactured image of success.
Who was the last famous person you met? Rafael Horzon.
What was the last thing someone said about your work that made you laugh? That’s never happened.
When was the last time someone took you too seriously? Every day on Instagram.
When was the last time you laughed at yourself? Who is this pretty guy in the mirror?
I am always scared when it gets cold, because I really can’t live somewhere where it’s less than 20°.
When was the last time you did something for the first time? Every day, recently. Today I drove a Fiat Panda.
When was the last time you used public transport? Is flying on an airplane public transport? If so, like two days ago.
Where did you go on your last trip? My whole life is a trip, I am in Italy right now, then New York and LA, after that maybe China, and South Africa at the beginning of 2018.
When was the last time you laughed at the wrong moment? Every day I laugh about my own jokes, even when they’re not funny.
What was the last piece of great advice you gave to someone? I always give great advice to others!
What was the last thing you repaired? Some random people with my advice.
When was the last time you doubted yourself? Life is always ups and downs. It’s like the stock market.
What was the last great book you read? Rafael Horzon – Das Weisse Buch.
What was the last thing you Googled? How to give an interview.
When was the last time you were scared? I am always scared when it gets cold, because I really can’t live somewhere where it’s less than 20°.
When was the last time you danced? I don’t dance, I always sit in the middle and people dance around me.
Who was the last person to truly surprise you? Myself.
What was the last good joke you heard? I am more into memes than jokes.
What was the last compliment you received? People liked my work, and I gave a talk about my work, and they liked the talk about my work, which they liked.
What was the last compliment you gave to someone else? I think everyone should get compliments all the time.
If you could choose your last words, what would they be? Success was just a smile away.
See more of Andy at his website, and follow his travels on Instagram.
