“Don’t Worry Everything Is Going To Be Amazing”

As we are fast approaching the start of a new year and new magazine issues – AnOther Magazine issue 22 and Another Man issue 14 will be out in February and March – we are all feeling optimistic for what 2012 will bring. It therefore seems appropriate that this “Don’t Worry Everything Is Going To Be Amazing” light signage chosen by writer Zac Bayly is our Most Loved post of the week on AnOther Loves.

Whilst numerous artists have illuminated their confessionals (Tracey Emin), commentary (Jenny Holzer), words (Martin Creed), and prose (Rob Montgomery) at the moment we feel that this vintage piece by an unknown artist directly encompasses our current mood. Earlier this year accomplished wordsmith and conceptual artist John Baldessari premiered his literal work entitled: Your Name in Lights. Reflecting the changing cult of the celebrity in modern society and recalling Andy Warhol’s prediction that in the future everyone will have their 15-minutes of fame, Baldessari invited members of the public to register their name and watch it appear in lights on the Australian Museum’s William Street façade during Sydney Festival 2011. Here we give Bayly his 15-minutes (well, two really) of fame as we ask him what mottos he lives by and who his favourite text artists are.

Why did you choose to Love this “Don’t Worry Everything Is Going To Be Amazing” sign?
I’ve always had a thing for neon signs, so as soon as I saw this piece I was in love with it.

Where's it from?
I actually found this on ILOVEFAKE fashion director Jordy Huinder’s Facebook page, so he should probably get the credit for finding it! Apparently it’s a vintage piece that he found and used in an as yet unpublished shoot.

If you owned it where would you put it and why?
There’s a really nice space in my bedroom opposite my bed that I think would be perfect. It’d be nice to wake up and go to sleep with something positive to read, especially since I tend to get stressed about deadlines and whether whatever piece I’m working on will be up to scratch. Maybe I’d put it in the lounge room, because it’d be nice for when we have friends around.

Numerous artists use text in their work — do you have any favourites and why?
I love Barbara Kruger, and was really bummed when I tried to arrange an interview with her earlier this year and wasn’t able to. I also like Martin Creed’s neon signs. Anything with text basically — I really like watching movies and shows with subtitles, because I feel like I understand what’s happening more than if I have to focus on their voices.

What mottos do you live by?
I’m not sure, but I really love this quote from Cat’s Cradle that I read this morning: “Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.”

What's the wisest thing someone has said to you or a notable person has been quoted as saying?
“Yeah, but they’re better than you at it", – the creative director at a magazine I used to work with was talking about my approach to an article I’d written, and I’d told him that I wanted it to be in the style of a particular magazine. He was right. I usually find criticism more useful than advice as such. Also, Alec Baldwin telling Liz Lemon, “Money can’t buy happiness — it is happiness,” in 30 Rock.

What was the last thing you bought?
A blue Marc by Marc Jacobs coat — I didn’t realise it was from the S/S12 collection, so it doesn’t really keep me warm!

What's your favourite online shop?
The Book Depository. Although, I keep embarrassing myself by calling it "The Book Suppository" when I tell people about it!

Text by Lucia Davies