Artist Profile: M.O.D. Media
M.O.D. Media’s business model is centered upon artistic collaboration. Utilizing independent creatives worldwide to put together innovative media campaigns and brand identities for mid to large size businesses. Having started as photographers and musicians, owners Allison Lenz and Carlos Guzman ditched competition mindsets to build a company fiercely committed to fostering partnerships with other artists.
1) What are challenges you've encountered to generating a viable income as artists? Art and creative professional services have been historically viewed as a commodity. If you are an artist or creativepreneur, you know this is old news. Yet now, during the most uncertain financial times we've seen in decades, a lot of these common challenges have been exacerbated. This is an overtly difficult time for many individuals and businesses. Consumer confidence is at an all-time low, leaving many of our clients apprehensive to invest in our services—even when this may be the time they need it most. Our current biggest obstacles are justifying creative investments; accepting constant change in our society and environment; plus learning how to adapt to each client respectively and safely while staying true to our craft. Finances aside, it has also been challenging to stay inspired with limited contact with friends, family—and perhaps, most importantly—our colleagues and fellow artists. It has been striking to find that a lot of our inspiration comes from being with others, observing & participating in the flow of social interaction. Whether it be performing live music; attending a show; working together on various projects; or simply supporting each other's craft, the current state of affairs has taken a toll on face-to-face collaboration—for which there is hardly an equal substitute.
2) Share 2-3 tips for artists on promoting their craft.
A) While zoom and virtual meetings can feel fake, forced, and (at times) too structured, it is necessary to find “the next step” in communication—no matter the platform. Use open-source technology to further advance your audience reach. Participate in virtual networking events, and don't stop picking up the phone. Now more than ever, communication can be misinterpreted (especially in text). So placing a direct phone call can solve misunderstandings and open doors you may have not known were there. Personally, we find it uplifting to speak with individuals via phone as it creates a more genuine connection.
B) Co-promotion also has always been an effective way to share the successes of our creative process, especially since most of it can be done digitally. Sharing locations; other creatives involved; and institutions that support the arts are fantastic in regard to tapping into an audience that may not otherwise see your work.
C) For any creatives, there is no such thing as a bad idea. Never hesitate to pursue what might seem like a wild concept. We've been surprised over and over again by simply asking what is possible. The artist communities we reference below are also excellent resources for staying connected and engaged in large art commissions.
3) How do you personally continue to grow as artists?
Researching other artists in our field (as well as those outside of it), in addition to keeping tabs on what formats, tools and platforms are trending, helps boost our inspiration significantly. Engaging in lively, open conversations with other artists is also really helpful, as are good books and movies that invoke new ways of thinking and looking at life. Never stop growing and learning! Specifically, we recommend taking a look at the creative communities behind HitRecord, Indaba Music, CODAworx, plus checking out the documentary series “Abstract” on Netflix.
4) Name a few of the local "artistic collaborations" you’ve worked on.
Community is everything to us. Our mission statement includes "exposing what deserves to be exposed," which means celebrating and publishing projects that have an impact on our community—no matter the cost. We have continually supported the Madison Public Library, Goodman Community Center, Dane Buy Local and Sustain Dane to help expand creative education in the youth of our community, plus further the initiatives of ecological sustainability and small businesses. One project we are currently collaborating on is Bury the Hatchet. The brainchild of the Associate Dean of the Art Department at UW-Madison John Hitchcock, Bury The Hatchet is at the cross-section of Native American strife and living as a Comanche and Kiowa descendant in the 21st century. This fully immersive, multi-media exhibition includes the screen printing and paintings by John Hitchcock; full size artifacts from his history (buffalo heads, guitars, various paper and beadwork colors); projection mapping; neon lights; and a full LP record written by Nate Meng and the Stolen Sea which includes soundscapes combining with recordings of John's elders. This project has been exhibited in the Missoula Art Museum in Montana; Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA); St. John's University Art Gallery in Minnesota; Chazen Museum of Art, and is currently at the Portland Museum of Art.