LITHIUM PICNIC studio

Philip Warner: You recently moved from the East Coast to LA how are you finding it there and has it destroyed your soul yet?

MOSH: It's probably improved it. The east coast was a little depressing at times with the weather and lack of anything new or interesting happening in town. Get back to me on the destroying your soul deal in a year or two, hah.

PW: You wear a lot of latex, who are some your favorite latex designers?

MOSH: BlackLickorish Latex, Vaunt Designs, Ego Assassins, Hedonsfair,   HMS, Atsuko Kudo, Fraulein Ehrhardt. Actually some of my favorite pieces come from designers who aren't even established yet, such as Lush Latex and CollectiveChaos Design. They come out with some very unique pieces.

PW: What do you think about latex mixed with other materials?  I love some of the horse/synthetic hair mixes and the fringe Tressa was doing for a while...  I'm still surprised when I see latex in mainstream fashion or music videos, what's your take on all of these shenanigans?

MOSH: As much as I love the feel of an all-latex garment, the idea of mixing latex with other materials is intriguing. I liked some of the pieces Jane Doe Latex created, she used a latex base (like a dress), then added leather trim on top of it and accentuated it with feathers or something like that. I really liked the combination. I'm very into steampunk recently, I'm working on a design that involves latex and some other materials to develop the look for that idea. I thinkTressa used wefts of human hair on her pieces?

PW: I think you're right.

MOSH: I'm not at all surprised to see latex in the more mainstream culture, mainstream fashion and music videos do a very good job at taking something amazing and crapping all over it, just kidding (kind of). Mainstream culture nowadays is all about trends and whats the next big thing. Things like latex that were primarily part of an underground or alternative culture are just marvelous things where people have a true appreciation for it. I'm not saying that somebody in the mainstream can't have the same appreciation for latex as much as a latex-fetishist, but most people in the mainstream will just hook themselves onto it because its "in" right now, then toss them aside as soon as the mainstream crowd moved itself into pony play and bondage Just kidding (but probably not in the near future). I can't think like the mainstream culture, I have interests and I stick with them whether they're in or out. People who follow the mainstream...  I just don't understand how they can think about trends and only trends, its like they're robots or something. It's not at all surprising to me that mainstream culture has started to pull more into fetish roots for the public to be in awe at for a few days or a month.

Latex on the runway has always been eye-catching to me, and sometimes I think its done very well. For example, this is a killed trend but the latex stockings worn with lovely dresses or draped jackets just always looked pleasing to me. I've seen latex gone wrong on the runway but I believe designers really find an appreciation for all materials, latex included. I'm also a fan of the idea of somebody taking something that has existed, and molding it into something different, which is why I feel high fashion and conceptual design work well with latex while mainstream culture tends to just craps all over it. Kind of...


PW: I've noticed you've been exploring retro and vintage themes and looks. Why do you think these styles have become so popular again?

MOSH: I think they just never left, and there's a good reason for it. Styles that were established from the 20s-60s are timeless. I always  preferred cuts that were considered vintage or retro, and its simply because they show off the woman's form the best, or so I think. There was also something very different about America in those times. I don't know, the music, the culture, the styles? Maybe a combination of all three, I believe it was one of the best times in America. People have a nostalgic attitude towards it, and therefore vintage themes/looks will be coming back again and again. Personally I'm not a purist when it comes to vintage themes. I love the looks but I certainly wouldn't want to become a full time pin-up model. I have started to pull those looks into my content sets and portfolios, but I have my own idea of vintage and retro.

PW:  Tell me about your upcoming website (The Moshroom ).

MOSH:  It will be epic.

PW: "Epic" like King Kong epic or "Epic" like Led Zeppelin touring out of a party plane epic?

MOSH: Epic like King Kong and Led Zeppelin partying on the party plane together during their tour.

PW:  Sweet.  How far do you think you could throw a stiletto shoe at a lover  if you were really really pissed off?  And do you think you would have any accuracy with the shot?

MOSH: I'd probably miss, and also probably by 10 feet. I'm right-handed and I injured my right elbow years ago. It forced me to have terrible aim after it healed. Maybe if I tried really hard...would you like to be my practice target?

PW: I'm not exactly sure what you're suggesting, but if it means you have to be pissed off at me in the process I think I'll pass.  I've seen that Russian temper of your's first hand.

PW: So aside from my uncommonly good looks, what else is it about  working with me that makes me your most favorite photographer (ever)?

MOSH: Well the uncommonly good looks are amongst the top reasons of course but what I think is more important is that no matter what the situation or location, I know the images will come out exquisite every time. Every shoot is exciting because I know the final product will always be good. That puts me into a mode where I work even harder on all the details, from wardrobe to poses to make sure nothing is flawed on my part. Not to mention its always an adventure shooting with the Picnic.

PW: Thank you for answering that exactly as we rehearsed.  Check your paypal account.

MOSH: *laughs*

PW: Have you ever copped a feel in a crowded place or while someone was asleep?

MOSH: On a lady's boob?  Sure, but only when they knew me. Nothing would probably piss a girl off more than having some stranger poking at their breasts. I know I wouldn't be pleased.

PW:  Creep.

PW: Are you really connected to the KGB?

MOSH: I am not authorized to release that information.

PW: Fair enough. What was the last album you listened to in its entirety?

MOSH: I lost a lot of CDs due to theft a while back so I started to purchase back my collection. The last album was The Cramps, Bad Music For Bad People. After Lux died, it hit me how much good music was left in the world, and forced me to start re-listening to CDs I've had for a while.

PW:  Are you really old enough to really know what "an album" is or did I date myself?

MOSH: In Mother Russia we still use albums.

PW: Marsupials or vegetables

MOSH: Marsupials probably don't taste very good, but then again neither do vegetables. Although I do like cabbage. I guess vegetables.

PW:  *bzzzzzz* WRONG. Marsupials is the correct answer.  What are your thoughts on meditation?

MOSH: Its a good idea. Someone very close to me actually has suffered from a lot of stress in their life, and they've tried many things to  keep it under control. The first thing that has actually started an  improvement was through meditation.

PW: Are you going to eat the rest of that sandwich?

MOSH: Yes

PW: What's really in those Starbucks cups Philip is always carrying around?

MOSH: I've been sworn to secrecy.

PW:  Do you find it odd that I talk about myself in third person or do you find it a calm comfortable place like being in front of the camera?

MOSH: I'm used to it.

Comment smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment