Since 2017, Outside The Zone (OTZ) has been redefining the boundaries of public art in Shoreditch. Founded by creative force Trix Mendez, the platform fuses street art, digital innovation, and subcultural energy into a living, breathing art movement. In this interview, Mendez shares how OTZ evolved from late-night drum & bass sessions to projection-mapped walls and NFT-connected murals—turning the streets into a space of constant reinvention.
Outside the Zone has been shaking up Shoreditch since 2017. What first sparked the idea to create a nomadic art platform?
OTZ was born from the need to showcase art whether street or contemporary in a non-traditional way to a wide audience that resonates beyond the street. Street art was seeping into the consciousness and the art world was latching on. Tapping into my past history with the Dragon bar and early gallery pop ups in Shoreditch and late nights at Metal headz and Herbal. The energy and overall ethos of the platform was born.
You’ve transformed pop-up spaces and street corners into vibrant art experiences. What’s the secret to spotting the perfect spot for a takeover?
Many of the spaces grew organically through my cultural partnership with SL Venues and knowing the landscape of Shoreditch, having lived here for a while. Street architecture is expressive and durable and creates opportunities in different ways. Giving a platform to a diverse array of artists, some well known and others not so much, that include Pure Evil, Oker, Mr Doodle, Hunto, Lowe H Seager, Abotz, Cope 2, Yorgus, Otto Scharde, Luap, 7th Goblin, Meryn Penrose, Tim Gateby, Inagaky, Shem, Perspiece, Paz Dean.
Managing some of Shoreditch’s key street art walls sounds like a dream—and a headache. How do you balance creativity with the chaos of the streets?
Cities evolve and resonate on their own frequency. Shoreditch just happens to radiate at a higher intensity. Where change is inevitable. The public art interventions create the opposite and slow down the process. Forming a dialogue with the observer. Our current art program includes Luap, FKULT, Jay Kaes, abotz, alex fakso, Shallow lagoon, luc Warring. Each of the artists’ work warrants some time to completely take in the work.
OTZ champions a lot of new voices. How do you select the artists you work with? Is it gut feeling, vision, or a mix of both?
I look at the curation as almost cinematic; exploring the area, leaving lasting memories. The artists selected are all actively building their practice and see the street as a huge canvas. With multiple sites across Shoreditch that include walls, billboards and guerrilla sites. My mission is to find a new way to speak through images and build an intimacy with the view. Exploring a multi-dispensary approach to the curation that pushes the boundaries of public art, encompassing street and contemporary art, performance film and sculpture and publishing. With an active program of in situ large scale works.
You describe OTZ’s style as ‘POP FUTURISM.’ Can you unpack that a bit for us? What does it look and feel like out there on the streets?
Pop futurism, embodies the spirit of pop art and the immediacy of life. Coupled with red chip art sensibilities. Moving at a high octane pace creating frictional stories around emerging narratives. Whether its technologies influence on art through A.I to the social impact issues to reform policies they create a feedback loop that is displayed through art, big, bold and with a touch of gloss. Sometimes mis- understood, but very much centre stage embedded with the new economy.
Shoreditch is always buzzing with new projects. How do you keep Outside the Zone feeling fresh and ahead of the curve?
We are moving into a new dawn of art, existence and worth. A new form of sensationalism is on the cusp whereby people will be consuming art in different ways. Through expansive projects OTZ has transformed to be a driving force with experimental, challenging and inspiring works through their consistent output of projects. One under looked area we are looking to champion is our publishing arm which shines a light on new writers like Charcles C Clarke. @fearrightnow
From Stella Dore to Underdog Gallery, you’ve collaborated with some legendary spaces. Any partnership stories that stand out as truly game-changing?
I like the idea of story telling and through collaborations you can build a more expansive narrative as we get to express different stories that contribute to one voice. We have recently started 3D projection mapping on disused spaces building a unison between art and advertising alongside our partner Kunstraum. Huge projected artworks coupled with brand advertising that have wide reaching effects that dissolve once the project finishes, but leave a last memory. I’m looking at brand collaborations in new areas beyond the usual activities.
You’ve curated over 50 public art pieces so far. Is there one project that still gives you goosebumps when you walk past it?
All the projects I’ve curated give me energy and feel just as relevant as the projects now. As they all embraced the future. Time has never been an aspect. It’s about the process and the artist expressing their sensibility through their work.
With the collision of art and technology speeding up, how is OTZ embracing or reimagining digital art for street and gallery spaces?
Embracing the idea of “pop futurism” we have partnered with Street mint, to create a new era of collectable art where street art and gallery walls meet the blockchain. People can now experience art in a new way through collecting and owning exclusive digital editions from some of the most iconic street and experimental artists in Shoreditch with just the tap of their phone on the unique NFC chips next to the artist walls. We are rapidly picking up traction and have some exciting project plans. After a successful edition release with Stolen space gallery, and some more art edition drops with a big hotel for SXSW exciting times are ahead for us.
https://linkin.bio/otzairdrops
Congratulations on being on the map for the first edition of foldthe.word how did all come together? What does foldthe.world mean to you ?
Eulan has always been on the edge of what’s happening, and when he approached me about the SXSW Shoreditch map it made sense to feature OTZ as the platform has been a stable entity in the area for many years. The map has a strong concept and speaks volumes in regards to authenticity providing a true representation of the creative landscape of the area. “Fold the map” is a dynamic project which we have provided a billboard for right in the heart of Shoreditch. Creating a centre point for people to download a free copy and collect a unique digital edition. The map is bridging the gap culturally in the area and connecting people in a geographical way.
What’s next for you and Outside the Zone? More walls, more cities, or a whole new future we can barely imagine?
OTZ is exploring new systems of work, illuminating spaces and consciously staying on the timeline.
Everywhere and now. OTZ
xxx
This interview is part of Foldthe.world series. Foldthe.world is a collectable art poster distributed around Shoreditch, combined with curated insiders map helping you to shorten distance and time made by TOANDPARTNERS productions and supported by Made in Shoreditch Magazine.
Follow @foldthe.world on Instagram for the latest updates, interviews, and new additions to the creative map of East London.
