We are very excited to bring you an interview with Jovis Burk, better known to most as the iconic ‘Mr. Pink’!
Yves: First of all, I want to express my gratitude for doing this interview with me. I truly appreciate it!
Mr. Pink: Thank you, it is my pleasure.
Yves: Before we discuss your favorite color, would you mind telling us a bit about the person behind Mr. Pink?
Mr. Pink: Well I would describe myself as a traveler/explorer/seeker. I’m also a musician/producer and that keeps me busy as well.
Yves: How did ‘Mr. Pink’ come into existence? It doesn’t really strike me as a random act to strip naked and paint yourself pink. Is it true that you experimented with different colors and styles at first?
Mr. Pink: It all started at the Burning Man Festival in the mid 90’s. I went to my first one and I liked the feeling of true expression that I saw. I had witnessed people naked and painted in various colors. They weren’t really performing, rather were in costume. So I decided that the next year I would do the same. I did various colors throughout the years, such as red, green, blue, gold, and bronze. I settled on Pink in 2011. I did it naked until 2008 when I had a bit of a traumatic experience at a festival. I won’t name which festival it was as it doesn’t really represent the energy of the event, rather it reflects on the security firm who were totally unprofessional.
“I did various colors throughout the years, such as red, green, blue, gold, and bronze. I settled on Pink in 2011.”
Yves: I am sorry to hear that. Do you remember your first appearance in public as Mr. Pink? What was that experience like? Were you nervous for rejection?
Mr. Pink: The first time I did a painted performance I was naked and purple. I had bought a bunch of different colors for Burning Man and my friends all said they were into doing it as well. The day came and no one wanted to do it. So I just bit the bullet and got naked and painted myself. It was strange when I was around my friends as it was like “Jovis naked painted purple” rather than a performance piece. I was nervous and very self-aware of my situation. It became too much to handle so I left my friends and started walking amongst strangers. Then I started to act like some creature, and then I had an amazing time.
Yves: Haha, amazing! I can imagine that, throughout the years, you must have had many great experiences or encounters. Can you, perhaps, share with us one of those memorable encounters?
Mr. Pink: To be honest when I am in the mode of being Mr. Pink I’m more like a witness. I’m really feeling the other persons energy to the point that I am them. Pure reflection. So the memories are hazy, like I’m hovering above the action and I’m just watching myself be a channel for this energy. There have been so many different encounters, that it is really hard to pick one as representative.
“To be honest when I am in the mode of being Mr. Pink I’m more like a witness. I’m really feeling the other person’s energy to the point that I am them. Pure reflection. So the memories are hazy like I’m hovering above the action and I’m just watching myself be a channel for this energy.”
Yves: I’ve read that, in the past, you tried to spend 6 months in Goa each year. Is this something you are still doing and what is the thought process behind this?
Mr. Pink: Yes for the last 25+ years I’ve spent 4 to 6 months in Goa. I have missed a year or two in that time, but it’s been my winter home for half of my life. When I first started going I was a didgeridoo seller/teacher. That evolved into spending most of my time there playing music. In bands, as well as my projects. For me, that is where I recharge my spiritual batteries.
The last couple of years I’ve been feeling the need for a change. So this season I will be there for 2 months maximum. I’ll be in Australia all of February so my pattern will have a reset.
“Yes for the last 25+ years I’ve spent 4 to 6 months in Goa. I have missed a year or two in that time, but it’s been my winter home for half of my life.”
Yves: Some might not know, but your roots in the Psytrance scene extend further than performance art. Would you mind telling us a little bit more about that?
Mr. Pink: I had the good fortune of randomly ending up in Goa for the 1993/94 season. I had never heard any electronic dance music at that point. I was into Nirvana and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and slam dancing! My first party was behind the Primrose in Vagator and it really transformed me. I met some fellow Americans that season and we all met up in San Francisco determined to bring Psytrance to America. We started a warehouse called the C.C.C. (the Consortium of Collective Consciousness) and brought various artists to play there. We were TranceMissionaries!
I kept going to Goa every season and also I began to play the didgeridoo and teach it as well. I was an Ambient and Chillout DJ in those days. I was lucky, always ending up at some truly epic parties, like the Hampi Party, the Beleswar Eclipse Party, the Solipse Festival, Voov Festival, Samothraki, etc.. I always seemed to be guided to events that later on would be described as legendary.
When Psytrance found me way back when it really was the most transformative event of my life, and it has been an amazing journey which seems to get better every year.
Yves: It really does sound like it has been an amazing journey for you! Again, thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me. I will look for you at my next festival!
Mr. Pink: You are very welcome! See you on the Trancefloor!
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Feature photo courtesy of @sauriel_samfairy (Instagram) www.saurielcreative.com (Web)