CASEY SPOONER & ADAM DUGAS
CASEY SPOONER
Artist, performer
How did you two meet?
August, 2000 at Passerby, the bar at Gavin Brown’s. We did not speak the whole night and then suddenly he asked me to leave with him and his friends. We went to FUN, under the Manhattan Bridge; A.R.E. Weapons played behind this cloud of smoke. At the end of the night I did a wild mating dance and he invited me to his place.
What were you doing when you met, work-wise? Creatively?
I had been doing this trash-rock cabaret called “The Mike Show.” I was looking for fresh inspiration. I found it.
What drew you to this person?
He was fun to be with, smart, goofy—it was a mad romance that spiraled into a long-term relationship. I suppose I felt I could learn a lot be being with him.
How has your work changed over the course of your relationship?
Just sticking with it for years, pushing my own boundaries and limits, the work grows exponentially. Also, drawing on some of the talent pool that he knows has been a great influence.
In what ways have you been informed, creatively, by your relationship, and/or the other person?
I definitely learned a lot about fashion and making wardrobe. He also was more involved in the gallery art scene, whereas I have always been more theater and film oriented. I am inspired by his relentless positive energy and boundless creativity. We run things by each other and discuss things before making our own decisions.
Would you, or have you ever collaborate(d)?
It is hard for anyone not to get sucked into the Fischerspooner vortex! I have been dramaturge, back-up singer, tour manager on the first European tour in 2001, produced the “Get Confused” video; recently I helped polish the new show and directed two videos: “The Best Revenge” and “We Are Electric.” I also sing backup on Casey’s solo record and wrote a song for him. He has been in Chaos & Candy, my annual holiday show, and last year created the flier image and hand drew the title treatment for the show.
What do you see in your partner that he may not see in himself?
I knew he was a great producer when I met him. He runs his own business-—he is absolutely the architect and captain of that ship. He works so hard and totally commits. I feel like I have to remind him of how much he is doing and taking on.
Ever get jealous?
Of course! Flying on the Concorde, jetting around the world – there is plenty to be jealous of, but I worked through most of that.
Where is the intersection between romance and creation, for you? Can they be mutually exclusive?
I think we both understand that when things need to get done, that is the priority. We both like to be in the maelstrom of making something. We spend a lot of time apart already because of his travel schedule, which I think is healthy.
What do you do together that you didn’t do alone?
Have pets.
Any cool collections?
I suppose we’re assembling a cool collection of international menswear: wraps from Lao, formal dress robes from Kuwait, ponchos from Chile, Chinese opera outfits, all kinds of caftans and djellabas.
What don’t you share?
I’ve learned when to share my opinion when it is asked for.
Ten years from now, what’s going on?
Hopefully making more money doing work on a larger scale. And I’d like to have a place we can go to regularly out of the city, some kind of retreat. Creative and spiritual refreshment.
Dueling Harps, with Ann Magnuson, has its New York premiere at the Abrons Arts Center in October. Chaos & Candy 9 follows in December.
adamdugas.com
ADAM DUGAS
Writer, producer, singer, actor, director
How did you two meet?
Gavin Brown’s Passerby on a Monday night hosted by Steve Lafreniere.
What were you doing when you met, work-wise? Creatively?
Music/Performance/Theater and working as a Prop/Set Stylist for $$$.
What drew you to this person?
It was love at first sight. For real. I saw him the minute I walked into the bar and thought WHO IS THAT?! His swarthy Latin looks and then his dancing sealed the deal.
How has your work changed over the course of your relationship?
In many ways it is still the same basic thesis. Combining art and entertainment. But evolved in many different directions.
In what ways have you been informed, creatively, by your relationship, and/or the other person?
I love having his point of view and support. He is super smart and a great creative. I love his taste in cinema and literature and theater and music. He doesn’t really care for art and fashion. This can be refreshing.
But most importantly I have never had a more intense relationship with such depth and growth. I mean, other than with my parents!
This is a huge lesson and the thing that has given me the most knowledge. We have had tough times but we have dealt with things head-on and surpassed lots of obstacles. He has made me a better person.
Would you, or have you ever collaborate(d)?
He is a frequent contributor to the various projects I do, and I help out on his projects too. I am very proud of the photos and design work I did on his last show [see Casey’s portrait of Adam].
What do you see in your partner that he may not see in himself?
His infinite creative potential. I just want to see him do it all.
Ever get jealous?
NEVER. What we are and what we want are so different. I just wish I had his vocabulary. I suck at spelling.
Where is the intersection between romance and creation, for you? Can they be mutually exclusive?
We have worked together and had it NOT go well.
Just because you have a great personal relationship, it doesn’t mean it will easily translate to working together professionally.
It can be hard to detach and get the job done. Sometimes it becomes about things other than the task at hand. OR the stress from the job can sneak into your home life. It is challenging to pull off both. But when you do, it’s great.
What do you do together that you didn’t do alone?
Well, I no longer waste time looking for a partner in crime. I used to make lists of guys that had potential. I was constantly revising this list in my head.
It was boring and tedious.
Any cool collections?
Tons of books!
What don’t you share?
I am a very bad housekeeper. I hate to cook and clean. But I try to make up for it in other ways. I bring lots of exotic gifts from foreign lands.
Ten years from now, what’s going on?
MORE OF THE SAME BUT BETTER.
caseyspooner.com
fischerspooner.com
Partnerships:
+ Adina Fohlin & Andrew Wyatt
+ Jibz Cameron/Dynasty Handbag & Sophie Mörner
+ Christian LaChapelle & Sissel Kardel
+ Priscila Alexandre & Eric Spring
+ Casey Spooner & Adam Dugas