The Youth Explosion: Call to the Moon

There is this girl named Shelby Di Marco, and she’s stupefying. From creating her own unique collages, to taking a bounty of marvelous photos, she has made a name for herself; and she’s only 18. This girl wonder has found herself at Space 15 Twenty, a one of a kind store stationed in Los Angeles that presents the collaborations of Urban Outfitters and new and inspiring designers. This store sells unmatched designs, provides space and opportunities for local vendors who bring the funk, and encourages native artists to display their talents in countless musical performances. Shelby has her own blog titled Banshee Beat, where she displays her collages and other interesting tidbits that inspire her. She also has a flickr and yet another blog titled Dear wwwolf where readers can send Shelby a photo and the story that goes along with it. I never realized how equally important the story behind a photo is to the photo itself until I happened upon this site. I was lucky enough to ask Shelby a few questions, and here is what transpired . . .

How did you start Banshee Beat?
-I started Banshee Beat to use it as a sort of Gallery for my photography and things that inspired my work and personal style. As the months went by I started to get into collaging, really as a way to enliven my blog. Eventually the display of my work progressed to my lovely job, so I’m very happy with where I am at.

Describe to us Space 15 Twenty.
-Space 15 Twenty is Urban Outfitters experiment retail setting, which gives UO an opportunity to collaborate with creative and amazing artists/designers. Space holds UO, Free People, Shoes+Shoes+Shoes+Bags, What Goes Around Comes Around(Vintage Stores based in NY) Umami Burger, Hennessey+Ingalls(The Best Bookstore) and Gallery Space. We also hold events like Monthly Flea Market, or Bike Day LA to name a few. Its a really amazing place, you are bound to be inspired.

Film or digital?
-Film Forever

How has photography, and making your own collages made you who you are today?
-Its shaped me in so many ways. Its opened up so many wonderful opportunities.

Describe your perfect day.
-Coffee Shop, Taking Photos, Going to a yummy vegetarian restaurant, a hike, getting my photos developed at the end of the day. I also love full work days.

What is the one purchase you could not live without?
-Hm, probably my Yashica

Do you have a favorite place to shop?
-Good Will

What is your favorite food?
-Anything Vegetarian, Anything Italian

Favorite movie?
-Tough one, but Royal Tenenbaums

Favorite book?
-Art Forms in Nature. I’m not a big reader, but I love visuals.

Favorite band or singer?
-Another tough one, at the moment Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions

What website do you always find yourself on?
-Tumblr

Who is your most admired person?
-Too many to name

Where do you see yourself next year?
-Continuing my job at Space 15 Twenty

Dream place to live?
-Santa Monica/ Florence/ San Francisco Maybe.

Where do you get the inspiration for your incredible collages?
-Well, thank you. It can be anything really. The simplest things, it all comes together like a magnet. My mind doesn’t stop making collages, I sometimes find myself dozing off to sleep while my mind is still putting things together.

What is your photo blog Wwwolf?
-Dear Wwwolf was an experiment, that I believed has died. It was the story behind the photo, there could be so many interpretations.

What is one trend that you adored as a pre-teen, but now ask yourself why you ever thought it was cool?
-The one that tops the list is decking out in a certain color, like red. Head to Toe red.

Many say that it is our environment that molds us, how has your environment molded or inspired your work?
-That’s the cool thing about LA, you get both nature and city, and both combined can create something really lovely.

And finally, do you like cats? The Youth Explosion has a thing for felines.
-I love cats. I love my little Jax to bits and pieces...I love animals more than humans.

Here are some of Shelby's transcendent collages. A true artisan.

Check out Shelby's Do It Yourself that she hosted at Space 15 Twenty a few weeks ago. As you can tell, Space 15 Twenty is a place where inspiration can be found inside and out.