Manon Macasaet’s Story of My Fucking Life

Published in Issue 21
Interview by Jessica Canje

New York-based multimedia artist Manon Macasaet is looking to the future, preserving the past, all while living life to the fullest in the present moment. Manon is best known for her collaborative work with X-girl, Stüssy, and her best friend’s band Pretty Sick. Her first independent web series, Story of My Fucking Life, documents various aspects of her life and surroundings, including the quintessential New York youth subculture of the moment. The lo-fi footage of each documentary-esque episode follows Manon on a series of adventures in the downtown world she builds with her friends. The work serves as an archive of youth, in time where it seems like feelings are fleeting, moments are precious, and memories are made to last.

Tell us more about your web series Story of My Fucking Life. The Promkins episode is beautiful and inimitable, I love the animations.

The Promkins episode is super close to my heart. I had the best summer of my life despite all the odds last year and I thought what better way to commemorate it than throw a party in the park? And a lot of kids in the neighbourhood didn’t get to have prom due to COVID so it meant a lot to them. All the stars aligned and we didn’t get shut down until 4am when the park had to close. I’m still surprised I didn’t get a ticket. The animations in my show are usually made by friends. I made the title sequences but the fireworks cartoon was made by my talented friend Violet Chevrez. She’s amazing. The show really wouldn’t be what it is without my talented friends.

Why did you start the show?

I decided to start the show when I was sitting at home during quarantine. I was looking at old party footage and suddenly it struck me that even though I thought I was too drunk that night to use any of it, that moment was precious. I was stuck at home and didn’t know when I’d be able to be sweating and dancing next to my friends again. I realized that every moment, no matter how regular degular it might seem, could be priceless some day. Things can change so quickly. I made the show so I could chronicle my life and me and my friends coming of age together. We will all look back on this very fondly one day.

What are you inspired by?

Pretty much everything. I draw inspiration from my favourite movies, early 2000s ads, Hi Octane [shortlived 1994 Comedy Central series directed by Sofia Coppola], Kid America Club. Everything inspires me. I really like shows like Kid America Club because they pre-dated Instagram. People were a bit more careless and debaucherous and I think it’s because they had less of a lens on them. No one was as wrapped up in their self-image. I’m trying to make people give less of a fuck through my show.

Your favourite song is “L’amour Toujours” by Gigi D’Agostino. Tell me more about your music taste. What’s on repeat currently? What type of music do you listen to and how does this reflect in the show?

I freaking love that song and lots of other euro pop music. It’s like chicken soup for my soul. Honestly my music taste is super eclectic and maybe a bit embarrassing. I’ve been bumping “Stars Are Blind” by Paris Hilton a lot. In terms of the show, I think whatever I’m currently into makes its way in there. Watching the show is like taking a little peek into my brain and what I’m on at the moment.

How do you feel today?

I feel fabulous. On top of the world. Just like a million bucks. And I’m in love!

What are you feeling hopeful about?

Everything. I’m about to go on a cross-country road trip so I guess the open road I’m about to make my bitch has me all juiced up.

What’s your favourite part about the show you created?

All of it. It all kind of drives me insane because I expect too much from myself but I love filming and editing and turning my silly little life into a show. But really my favourite part of this is doing it with my friends. I just want to bring people together.

What can we expect to see more of in Story of My Fucking Life?

Kissing. Love stories. Hot gossip. Hot people. Legendary dope shit. Anything in your wildest dreams. But I really want the show to play huge on a teleprompter in Tokyo. Some day.

See this story in print here.
See more from Jessica Canje