Art of Killer Acid on Three New 35mm Cameras from Retrospekt
Retrospekt, a product design and development studio dedicated to creating unique experiences through new and refurbished retro tech products, is releasing three new versions of their FC-11 35mm film camera, each featuring uniquely tripped-out artwork from beloved Santa Cruz brand Killer Acid.
These new film cameras are a collaborative effort between Retrospekt and Killer Acid creator and artist, Rob Corradetti. Using Retrospekt’s FC-11 35mm film camera as the foundation, Corradetti developed unique graphical themes for each of the three cameras in the collection — “Mental Exploration Co.” “Official Party Camera” and “Art Department.” Killer Acid is known for their whimsical character based artwork and unique psychedelic illustration style, which are blended seamlessly onto the FC-11’s refined form and streamlined 35mm functionality. “Here’s the truth of the matter: Everything looks good in 35 mm,” says Corradetti. “Chemical cameras don’t lie.”
Widely known for instant film projects like their Polaroid collaborations with Mattel’s Barbie and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, as well as their robust retrotech refurbishment programs, Retrospekt’s development around the FC-11 35mm camera is a direct result of the increasing demand for approachable, easy-to-use film photography products. “There are a lot of younger people who are interested in film photography, but didn’t grow up with it. Getting into it now can seem pretty intimidating,” says Retrospekt co-founder Adam Fuerst. “The FC-11 is our way of reducing this whole big process to its simplest components to help people get into the groove without having to learn a lot about settings and specific techniques.” With a fixed-focus lens and optional flash, using the FC-11 is as simple as lining up the shot and pressing the shutter button.
To complement the design of each camera, Retrospekt worked with Corradetti to develop three unique 35mm camera bags, each adorned with Killer Acid artwork, patches and vibrantly-colored shoulder straps. The bags will be available independently from the cameras and are flexible enough to accommodate many different types of point-and-shoot cameras and/or other small goodies.
This is the second collaboration between Retrospekt and Killer Acid. In early 2020, they came together to create the Polaroid 600 Killer Acid instant film camera. A perennial best-seller since its launch, the pair are preparing an instant camera bag — featuring artwork from the original Polaroid camera — for release later in 2023.
All three cameras and bags will be available from Killer Acid and Retrospekt.com starting September 21,2023. Each Killer Acid FC-11 film camera can use color or black & white 35mm film, available separately from Retrospekt or wherever 35mm roll film is sold.
About Retrospekt
Retrospekt is a highly-specialized workshop and product design studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin committed to the exploration, restoration and curation of retro technology. They started their foray into the world of retro tech by supplying Polaroid with refurbished and restored vintage instant cameras and now offer a full line of vintage camera models in addition to developing official Polaroid camera collaborations with both national and international brands, such as Mattel, Sanrio and FENDI.
Since 2008, they have pursued vintage electronics and the delight of analog technology, breathing new life into cameras, portable cassette players, classic gaming consoles and other retro tech oddities. Over the last decade, their team has saved over 300,000 devices with a comprehensive refurbishment process that faithfully restores each item to perform like it did the day it was originally manufactured.
In an increasingly fast-paced world, it can be easy for digital convenience to become digital overload. Retrospekt hopes the items they offer will provide people an opportunity to slow down, step back and enjoy a more tactile and intentional experience. Visit Retrospekt.com for more information on Retrospekt and its offerings.
About Killer Acid
Killer Acid is a pop psychedelia brand by artist Rob Corradetti, who has been actively making art and creating products for over 25 years. Located in Santa Cruz, CA, the brand specializes in screen prints, T-shirts, and a myriad of mysterious, humorous, and highly-detailed psychedelic ephemera. Originally launched in 2010, the style is a blend of head shop and punk rock, hearkening back to his tumultuous and technicolor coming-of-age in New York City.
Corradetti’s cartoon psychedelia drips with his signature tongue-in-cheek humor. Random, bright, and bizarre, the work draws the viewer in. Upon closer inspection, though, one finds the landscapes and headscapes are interwoven with personal meanings and artifacts of memories.
Killer Acid has done many recent collaborations, including work for Santa Cruz Skateboards, High Times, Polaroid, Adult Swim, Zumiez, Liquid Death, and Meow Wolf to name a few. The artwork has been featured in Chelsea art galleries to malls across America.
