Ice Blade is perverting pop culture with his alien accessories

At first glance, artist and designer Eduardo Espinosa, known online as Ice Blade, makes objects that look as though they’ve been looted from a video game. Backpacks double as speakers and sprout limbs, sculptural shell bags come with claws and suckers, while his most viral designs – three colourful bags depicting Björk, Yolandi Visser and Buddha – form what the 24-year-old describes as a “pantheon of gods of pop culture”.

Originally from Tizayuca, Hidalgo, Espinosa grew up looking to the internet for the art and culture he couldn’t readily find around him. He moved to Mexico City around 11 years ago and, at 16, taught himself 3D modelling through YouTube. From there, he moved into graphic design and fashion, going on to work with designers including Mowalola and Barragán.

Beyond his viral designs, Espinosa draws on wide-ranging influences, from his childhood obsession with the psychedelic hues of Plants vs. Zombies to pre-Hispanic imagery, particularly motifs involving nature, roots and plants. At other times, the inspiration is more immediate: his speaker backpack recalls men he remembers seeing on the Mexico City subway as a child, carrying speakers on their backs as they sold compilation CDs.

Below, we catch up with the artist about the making of his “magical gadgets”, his other creative pursuits, and why he thinks creatives need to put their egos aside.

Where did the name Ice Blade come from?

Eduardo Espinosa: I was a big fan of Bladee as a kid so I was like, ‘let me put this while I think of a good idea for a name’, and I never changed it.

Did you go to fashion school? 

Eduardo Espinosa: I actually didn’t go to fashion school. I started learning 3D modelling when I was 16 years old. I did it completely on YouTube – I watched a lot of tutorials. Then I got into this job where I did show design. That’s my main job. I do a lot of visuals for artists and creative work for concerts, and that’s what I love the most. 

What made you want to learn 3D modelling?

Eduardo Espinosa: I wasn’t having any success making music, and I had this creative ‘ick’ inside of me, so I was like, ‘Yeah, maybe I should try design.’ I don’t like to label it as 3D printing because sometimes I hear it and I think of slop. I try to do more sculptural things that can last and that not many people have. It’s wearable, but it’s also sculptural art, sometimes they’re utilitarian.

“I think my stuff really fits in the universe of Jujutsu Kaisen and Tokyo Ghoul. I kind of make these magical gadgets” – Eduardo Espinosa

Can you explain a little bit about the process behind the colourful bags you created?

Eduardo Espinosa: I didn’t sketch those, but I had the idea of having many icons, like Yolandi, Björk and Buddha. I did the sculptures and arranged them in this pattern that is also very related to Hinduism – a lot of hands, a lot of body parts, a lot of heads. I think [the bags] are like a perversion of religion. It’s like a pantheon of gods of pop culture. Sometimes maybe we take artists as gods.

Are there any influences from today that you pull from?

Eduardo Espinosa: Most of what I do comes from these really raw feelings and raw situations. I pull a lot from Aztec and Mayan and pre-Hispanic references. I try not to do it literally because I don’t want to look like I’m appropriating those kinds of aesthetics, but I like to use the concepts of nature, roots and plants that are involved in those cultures. I also take a lot of inspiration from Plants vs. Zombies – I’ve been obsessed since I was a kid!

When do you feel the most creative?

Eduardo Espinosa: I think all the time, but it took a while for me to get into this position where I feel comfortable. I wanted to be able to come up with ideas and actually make things instead of depending on being in the mood. I like to think of creativity more like a craft. A carpenter doesn’t wait until they feel inspired or have the perfect day to build a table. They know how to use their tools; they know their craft, and they can just sit down and make something. I think working in an office for years has helped me to do it.

What fictional character would wear one of your designs?

Eduardo Espinosa: Everyone from any anime, maybe any magical girl. I think my stuff really fits in the universe of Jujutsu Kaisen and Tokyo Ghoul. I kind of make these magical gadgets.

What do you want to make that you haven’t been able to yet?

Eduardo Espinosa: Drop an album, be part of a team, build something together. I’ve seen a lot of ego in the micro fashion world in Mexico City, because everyone wants to be the creative director, the stylist, the whatever. But I firmly believe that as creatives we have to put our egos aside for the greater good, and listen to everyone’s ideas. There is space for everybody.

I also love making shows. I have a background in show design and have worked with the biggest Mexican pop stars and rappers. Last year I had the opportunity to have my own MUTEK show, with music and my own self-made visuals on a 30-metre screen. Having that kind of creative control is amazing! That was the moment I realised I’m an artist. I was born to entertain, or at least that’s what I tell myself.