Ph7labs Blog

Interview with Friends with You

FWY_Portrait

1. How do you describe “FriendsWithYou”?
FriendsWithYou is an ever-evolving cultural idea that connects all people. We use modern practices and systems to proliferate our idea into the world. From consumerism, entertainment, and fine art, to advertising and more, FriendsWithYou is like a happy virus offering a doorway to magic, luck, and friendship. The idea is in the name in that our sole goal is to become FriendsWithYou.

2. How did FriendsWithYou begin?
It began as a means to spread our art concept to the world without it seaming elite or unattainable. So we made a series of toys called friends and began sharing them with the world one friend at a time. We wanted each one of the FriendsWithYou projects to be a fully immersive idea form our products to our large events and once in a lifetime experiences.

FWY_The_Buddy_Band

3. What is the philosophy behind FriendsWithYou?
It is simple. We offer a modern tool for spirituality that we find lacking in society today. It is not dogmatic or religious, but simple, in that we believe that all people have great power and if they can see through the roadblocks and alter their perception, they can make magic happen. We also view it as the great connection, that once humans are all on the same page we will make something great together.

FWY_Plasma_Eyes

4. What are your sources of inspiration?
We are inspired by so much, from simple life things to comics, art, friendship and a lot more. I feel we draw a lot of inspiration purely form how we look at the world and process it.

FWY_Plasma_Boy

5. What role does Miami play in your work / what makes Miami so special?
Miami is a very special place in its vibrations and its whimsical underbelly that often goes unnoticed. The people are warm, the beach is incredible, and there is some kind of magic to this place. It is a city that is very different form the rest of the US.

FWY_Pear_Of_Malfis
6. Describe the different Malfis (Smiling Malfi, Sad Malfi, Naked Malfi, Super Malfi)?
There is only one Malfi really, however he is an ancient spirit of the Earth who is able to change his appearance. Malfi is the Mickey Mouse of the FriendsWithYou world and he is the keeper to the entry way into our magical world.

FWY_Once_Upon_A_Time

7. Do all your characters have a story?
Each character has its role no matter how big or small inside the FWY universe. We have an unlimited supply of stories and adventures.

FWY_Malfi_Mountain

8. What makes FWY installations so special?
FriendsWithYou’s approach to fine art has always been to really give people an incredible experience that is completely immersive and caters to all senses. We feel art needs to really make a change in its audience and be very impactful. It needs to be awe inspiring and aspirational in every sense of the word. We want to impact your life and open the doors of your perception so that you can enter the unknown in a safe and accessible environment and you have the power to play and imagine even more from that moment forward.

FWY_Happy_Farmers

9. What is the significance of merging fine art and design?
Design is a tool that can tell an entire story with a simplified image. We use design as a way of connecting he people and creating iconic images that act as an entryway to our fine art. When you are trying to be as accessible as we are in this modern moment all these skills of design are very important to the branding of the project.

FWY_Friendship_Flag
10. What is FWYstudios?
FWYstudios is the dream boutique headed by Sam Borkson and Arturo “Tury” Sandoval, where we create all the magical properties and Intellectual properties for our own brands as well as the most popular brands in the world. FWYstudios is the breeding ground for everything from fine art and events, to directorial projects and commercial branding and strategizing.