logo

The Excavation of Mushroom Island

18 August 2010

Written and Interviewed by: Ryan Paul Thompson

Logan Zawacki, the gamer who made the excavation of Mushroom Island possible speaks.

Logan Zawacki is one of the most talented gamers I've ever met. I've seen this Jacksonville, Fl native radical (because there were ninja turtles) 8-bit throwback skateboards collection, his various amazing photography on action figures/models. and his wonderful illustration work. Not mention he's a great designer.

With that, I'm deeply honored that Logan has broken away from his busy schedule (where he's pursuing his masters at SCAD, working on his next project, as well as putting together his NEXT great book (he was actually in the middle of writing a paper", and STILL did this for us).

So enough fluff, hit the title/read more to see the interview...

 

How long have you been a gamer?

Logan - Oh lord, I've been a gamer ever since I can remember.  One of my first memories is mastering the Big Bird egg catch on the  Sesame Street ATARI game. lol

Wow, you're as old as I am. (j/k!)How long have you been doing photography?

Logan - I got into photography in college while I was pursuing my degree in  Graphic Design. It was a required class, but once I started taking  pictures I immediately fell in love with the medium and have been trying  to find as many projects as possible to combine my photography,  illustration, and graphic design abilities ever since.

Who do you think this book is made for?

Logan - This book is honestly made for my generation of gamers, the people who  grew up playing the first Super Mario Bros games. The book covers Super  Mario Bros 1 through Super Mario World. The more knowledge you have  about those games, the more you'll get out of the book, but its also a  very technical book that uses actual scientific terminology to explain  how these characters existed in our world.

That's awesome. What inspired you to create Mushroom Island as your first gaming book?

Logan - The book initially started off as an exploration of the photographic  printing process known as 'salt printing.' I created five skeletons of  Super Mario characters because (a) I really wanted to combine my passion  of video games with my artwork, and (b) the process produces very  earthy brown tones that resembled old photographs I'd seen from actual  archaeological excavations. From those first five prints evolved a  series of 20 prints, the thought of turning it into a far more complex  book complete with maps and archaeological information, and the eventual  76-page book that features over 30 Super Mario Bros characters like  you've never seen or read about them before.

That sounds like a lot of work. About how long did it take you to make it?

Logan - From start to finish, it took exactly one year to complete the book.  Half of the time went to creating and printing all the salt prints found  in the book, and the other half spent researching the video games and  creating all the scientific "facts" about each character. Not to mention  there are a ton of little easter eggs scattered throughout the text in  the book that only true Mario fans will catch.

Did you face any legal issues making this book?

Logan - I was worried about the legal ramifications of using Nintendo's Mario  franchise, but I had a patent lawyer look over my book and he made it  very clear that I'm not breaking any copyright laws. I'm providing fans  with a hypothetical origin of the Super Mario mythology, something that  Nintendo has never offered their fans, and all of the artwork, maps, and  text are my original creations.

If you could go back, what would you change or redo about the book?

Logan - I personally wouldn't change a thing about the book. I couldn't be  happier with the way it came out. Sure I'd like to maybe add some more  characters, but I had a deadline set for myself and I honestly think it  is the perfect amount of characters and references.

Wow, good answer. What advice do you have to give other artists trying to create their first book?

Logan -  Do it! Stay focused, set deadlines for yourself, and do everything  you  can to make your book a reality. It also helps to have friends and   peers holding you to your deadlines, because we all know how personal   projects get pushed the to bottom of life's priority list.

Where can people go to get your book, and do you do signatures?

Logan - To purchase the softcover version of The Excavation of Mushroom  Island  simply go to my Blurb account page and you can purchase it  directly  through them. I also sell a *limited edition* hardcover version  that is  larger, printed with higher quality paper, and comes signed and   numbered by me. It is limited to 100 copies and sells for $100 +   shipping, and that can be purchased directly through my email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Why should people vote for you for the BLURB Photography Book Contest, and where can they go to vote?

Logan - People show vote for my book because its far more than just a   "photography book" of pretty pictures. Its a book that contains video   games, fantasy, science, fine art, pop culture, creativity, and   nostalgia!!! An overwhelming sense of nostalgia is the #1 response I've   gotten from the owners of my book.

And lastly, do you think that Mario and Princess Peach are waiting til after marriage to take their relationship to the next level?

Logan -I kind of envision their whole relationship as a screwed up love triangle, sort of like the one in 'Legends of the Fall' where one girl pretty much seduces a whole family. lol There you have it. So creatives, get inspired! Logan is living breathing proof that you can make your dream come true. So vote for him here and make the world a better place for gamers!


P.S.

If you're a gamer, show Logan some love and vote for his book at . He'd love you even more if your bought his book too, but lets take it one step at a time.

Here's some specials going on with Blurb right now if you really want the book, and want to get free shipping. These are good until August 31, 2010, we're offering free flat-rate shipping on your Blurb books.* Go ahead, order extra copies of your existing books, or make new ones. Choose Ground or Economy shipping, type in the appropriate promo code below at checkout, click apply, and you're set:


* USD $ coupon code: SHIPPINGFREE
* GBP £ coupon code: SHIPPINGFREE1
* EUR € coupon code: SHIPPINGFREE2
* AUD $ coupon code: SHIPPINGFREE3
* CAD $ coupon code: SHIPPINGFREE4