PAPERWORK NYC creates limited edition magazines such as Bitch Magnet, Rozes are Red, and Babes: A Collection of Naughty Girls. The publishing house is run by Mike Krim, a Southern Californian living and working in Brooklyn, New York. His photos and zines have captivated us for the past few years and after a long hunt we tracked him down to conduct this email on subjects like Los Angeles, Rachel Roze, fishing, and more...
What's your favorite taco spot?
Roze's Taqueria they have these really amazing plump tacos haha. But if I'm dining out, Cactus on Vine has some great Al Pastor.
When did you start taking photographs? When did you know it was something you had to do?
I started taking photos of my friends and associates graffiti at the age of 13. Around 18 I got more into contemporary art photography due to everyone starting to dabble in drugs and other crazy shit. As soon as that happened it's only a matter of time before all the clothes fall off, the ladies start doing back bends and handstands, the homies start flashing weapons and doing stupid stuff and then the magic goes down haha. I always have a camera and lucky for me I've managed to be in the right place at the right moment most of the time.
Tell us about Paperwork NYC. How did it start, what is it, what do you want it to be?
Ken Marcelina and I started PAPERWORK NYC in 2012. I made a few zines and got a good response. Kenny has a great eye for rare stuff artwork, antiques etc, so we kinda just tossed it all together. These days I'd call it a publication company and small artist collaborative. That's not to say I'm not down to create other projects and business ventures. I'll never be one to pigeon hole myself to one thing so who knows I kind of just take it day by day. Basically I try to put together cool projects that I like and think others will enjoy. Currently you can find PAPERWORK NYC in all of NYC's top selling bookstores. So at the moment its right where it needs to be..."Limited"
Where are you from? Where do you live now, and why?
I am from AGOURA HILLS the town of your favorite Writers, D-list celebrities, Street wear head honchos and future Porn stars haha. All jokes aside though, that little town has a lot lot of history to it and if you're in-the-know then you're already ahead of the game. I am currently a resident of NYC. All thanks to the lovely LAPD riding my ass so tough. I was continuously getting hassled and always fighting some wack case. So basically the day the judge cut me loose I got on plane and never looked back.
Do you think LA influences what's happening in NY right now?
I must not have been informed on what's happening in NY? Honestly LA has no real Influence on NYC whatsoever and it never will. They are very much two different worlds with two different very LARGE egos.
Who/what inspires you?
My friends and my Mother inspire me. They are all very creative people with a variety of artistic skills and social behaviors. Most of the time I'll just walk around getting lost in the city to get inspired. I'll talk with the homeless, hangout with hookers and just get into some wild behavior. Then with that, I'll take it back to the studio and create something.
Do you have a lucky number?
No But I got a lucky 5 dollar bill that I never spend.
Who are your favorite authors? Favorite book?
Philip Carlo "THE BUTCHER" Anatomy of a Mafia Psychopath is my favorite book the dude was totally cooked. Some recent books I acquired this week though are LARRY CLARK STUFF, DASH SNOW " I LOVE YOU, STUPID!" and MARFA JOURNAL.
If you could live anywhere, where would you be?
I would stay In NYC but maybe when I get tired of it I'll move upstate to the woods and just relax, fly fish and smoke weed. I've been fortunate enough to have traveled all over the US. Nothing brings me more joy then driving back into the city and seeing all the lights just knowing all the action is about to begin.
Rachel roze has done some great stuff for PAPERWORK, what's she like to work with and what's next for her and you?
Rachel is just a bundle of joy to work with, it is like opening a big door of sunlight and getting a big whiff of mozzarella and marinara hahah. We been working so long together that it just goes hand 2 hand. We both play a big part in all our creative projects so a lot of
going on. We have two projects coming out: ROZES ARE RED VOL 2 will be coming out soon and a collaborative zine called INBOX which is all screenshots of emails and photos of cocks and dumb stuff people send Rachel. Haha that one is going to have some peoples panties in a twist.
What kind of music do you like?
Classic rock and ignorant drug dealing rap music
This is the golden age of _________.
Internet friends
What do bad 'zines have in common? Good ones?
No such thing as a bad zine in my eyes, Zines are fun and provide a small intimate look into peoples lives or whatever they choose to express.
The only breakdown is the quality in how you choose to print it.
What is the worst trend in art right now?
Street Art hands down is the worst trend, some new idiot every week out here with his Wheat paste and mean streak writing like Cum Fart doing some gallery with Found trash with paint drips to show how raw he can bring the street indoors.... All that stuff is wack..
I'd rather be...
Fishing in some remote area with a flip phone
Buy stuff at PAPERWORK NYC
Photos of Mike Krim by Lorenzo Fariello
