Joshua Vides remains one of the busiest artists in the game. Fresh from unveiling his installation at Art Fair Tokyo 2019 and collaborations with Palms Casino Resort, NBA All-Star Weekend, and Google to name a few, it seems like the man always has something else up his sleeve. At the top of the year, Vides hinted at his next move mentioning that it would be about giving others the opportunity to create together. Fast forward 3 months later — SIDE PROJECT has now become a reality.
SIDE PROJECT acts as a brand, retail space, and a place to host workshops for people trying to create their own work using the amenities Vides has to offer. The SIDE PROJECT space comes full circle, and it resides in the same exact building the CLSC, Vides’ former clothing brand, flagship was at before. While the flagship prints their logos over new 1 of 1 merchandise every day, customers will have the chance to rent out workshop stations in the back and come up with their own creations with the help and consultation of the staff. The workshop comes equipped with screenprinting, heat press machines, embroidery, and vinyl cutting to allow people to make their ideas come to life. Rental pricing for the workshop area begins at $150, which comes with a half hour of designing, a full hour of producing, and a maximum of three apparel items to choose from.
On Friday night, I had the opportunity to attend the friends & family preview the day before the space officially grand opened to the public. At the event, Vides gave guests free rein to design their own SIDE PROJECT tote bags that were exclusively available that night only while also offering free drinks to those in attendance. Heat pressing, pens, markers, and other materials were readily available for people to customize their bags and make it unique to them. Of course, I had to represent the Nothing Mag team on my tote somehow with the heat-pressed lettering.
As of March 16th, SIDE PROJECT has officially been open for business. Vides calls this, “easily the most difficult project I’ve ever had to work on. After 5 months of rent, 3 broken machines, 400+ tested products, 23 parking tickets, 6 new hires, and countless hours of problem-solving we’re finally open to the public.” You can purchase exclusive merchandise at the retail space, or you can book a workshop rental area in the back to design your own clothing. SIDE PROJECT is currently accepting walk-ins for the workshop and will open their online store on March 22nd where you’ll get the chance to purchase goods and book appointments as well.
SIDE PROJECT
517 1/2 N Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
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