5 Questions: JD Samson
Five questions to SFMOMA artists, staff, or guests. JD Samson of Le Tigre and The New England Roses is also the cofounder of the performance group Dykes Can Dance. Her current project, MEN, performs TONIGHT in the museum’s atrium as part of Now Playing.
Do you collect anything?
I collect small-scale RVs and camper vans. I have about 25 now. Some are antiques and some are models I have picked up at gas stations or toy stores all over the world.
There’s the generic interview question that goes, “If you could invite anyone to dinner who would it be?” What I want to know is, what would you serve?
I would probably invite a group of people because I’m kind of shy one-on-one. Probably some sort of configuration of people who have inspired me that I don’t know very well, like Joan Armatrading, Sean Paul, David Byrne, and then also friends that inspire me, like Peaches, Beth Ditto, and Jim Drain. I would cook my famous garlic-stuffed brisket.
Other than your phone, wallet, or keys, what do you always carry with you?
That’s hard because the only other thing I always have is some cash, but historically the cash usually goes in the wallet. I always take my heart.
What’s your favorite tool?
I love my T square. My mom used to decorate parties when I was a kid, and my parents kind of collaborated a lot on that. My dad has a wood sculpting background. So he would always help my mom to understand dimensions and perspective. I love my T square because it reminds me about how it’s so easy to get perspective and get measuring perfection.
What should I ask you?
You should ask me why I like pickles so much.
jd