|
flickr feed |
Likes
-
-
-
Paul Clipson, THE ELEMENTS (still), 2010, Super 8mm film for live performance, 25:00.
-
T
-
Links
Blog Personal Work Musings About This Theme Install Theme
Insect Code - photography and animation by Aonghus Kneeshaw
Coming Out - Emergence from the Age of Disillusionment
An antidote to nihilistic disillusionment, a means to ease the societal cognitive dissonance, a return to a more paganistic, nature embracing world view or all of the above? There is no doubt that there is a shift that is manifesting itself through every expression of our being. It seems to me as if we are gradually shifting from a human condition characterised by a kind of paradigmatic conflict, a hangover from a less enlightened era that was in itself an antidote to an even less enlightened one, to a new age that favours balance, the balance that is man and beast, yin and yang, male and female, emotional and rational among an endless list of others.
In a zeitgeist characterised by perceived polarities of rigid determinism on the one hand, and so called more “occult” notions of reality on the other, the result is a kind of social neurosis. We exist in a state of confusion as a consequence of the incongruity between these seemingly mutually exclusive points of view. However, the convergence and gradual marriage of more “mystical” and shamanic ideas with more empirical and scientific ones seems, to my admittedly largely unscientific self, to be taking place. Nonetheless, the popular world view seems reluctant to follow, your average self professed sensible citizen unwilling to entertain or embrace any notions beyond the familiar deterministic principles that rule the day for fear of losing face or sacrificing their credibility; It is the witch hunt of the dark ages flipped on its head. Blind religious faith and naïve superstition have been replaced by a kind of intolerant stoic empiricism. This conflict plays itself out on many levels both personal and social, in the war between head and heart that is a recurring theme in literature for as long as there have been books, religion and science, east and west and so on.
So, I for one am shedding my fear of appearing like a naïve idealist or worse, a mad fool, and I am coming out, coming out as one who, along with many others I feel, believes that we are undergoing a major shift, one where we can subscribe to notions that are not really relationally polar after all and embrace the new age, though rather a more credible one that doesn’t necessitate the donning of sandals, one where neither science nor spirituality (spirituality as a kind on transcendent experience distinct from blind faith in any organised religion) are considered mutually exclusive but rather unified, two sides of the existential coin.
Aonghus Kneeshaw http://brogai-deasa.co.uk/
Proenza Schouler Presents “Act da Fool” by Harmony Korine
Artist: Mount Kimbie
Track: Flux
Terence Mckenna - Final Earthbound Interview
Words beget categories beget fallacious construals beget neurosis
"Life is not only stranger than we suppose, it is stranger than we can suppose…"
Depeche Mode - Enjoy the silence
Artist and founder of http://www.ekosystem.org/ Eko, speaks to Voight Kampff Magazine about his inspirations and erotic feelings towards everyone’s favourite replicants
Name: Eko
Current City: Deadtown in the south-west of France
What would you say are the main influences on your work or style? Where do you draw inspiration from? My inspiration comes from many sources from different art fields. If you always borrow things from the same sources you are just a copycat. If you borrow from many different sources you can make something personal and step by step you create you own visual language.
Some inspirations from my teen years: Bordeaux Graffiti scene from the 90’s, Atari & Amiga demo scene ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demoscene ), House & techno sleeves. But also from logos, children’s Book illustrators, De Stijl, suprematism, futurism, minimalism & sexism :o)
What are your preferred methods of production and what materials do you like to use? I usually experiment with shapes and colours on Adobe Illustrator, reproduce my sketch on graph paper, and I finally paint it on a wall with spraycans, I use tapes from lines and a pencil + a string for circles. Material is not really important I could paint with Posca or brushes. What is extremely important to me is to paint alone in a quiet place. This is one of the reason I like abandoned places. Painting is almost the only moment where I’m alone; I usually don’t want to share that moment. I don’t invade places and I’m not looking for maximal attention. I usually paint in places where not many people go. The atmosphere of the place, the textures of the walls are of course important. I like to be in a quiet place, where the only noises I can hear are mine and when it’s not full of piss & foul odour it’s even better.
Soundtrack to your life right now? I used to listen to a lot of music, now I must admit that, just like Depeche Mode, I enjoy the silence very much.
Favourite film? In reference to the Voight-Kampff site, I’m proud to say that my father brought me to a theatre for this movie when I was 9. I loved the flying cars, the music…A few years later I watched the movie countless times on a VCR. The replicants were highly erotic, Rachel, of course, but also Zhora and the athletic blond guy. All my favourite movies are pretty erotic in a way, Mulholland drive, In the mood for love…
Tell me about http://www.ekosystem.org/ I started ekosystem.org in 1998, because there was no website about the graffiti I liked. It was a way to promote talented graffiti & street-artists that had not much recognition. What is shown on the site has only been called “street-art” or “post-graffiti” a few years after the ekosystem birth. My goal is still to show graffiti I like, no matter what country or how famous the artist is. I try to show what I think is original, interesting or exciting. It can be a naive character from a 13 years old kid, or a more conceptual installation from an art-student.
The Slits - Typical Girls
FLORENCE
SYNDROME
Portrait of Molly Barron by Aonghus Kneeshaw
![billyjane:
Broken mirror nude, 1953-55 by Esther Elenbaas-de Hartog [wife of Wally Elenbaas]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lplj0zcUOE1qztk1wo1_1280.jpg)
Broken mirror nude, 1953-55 by Esther Elenbaas-de Hartog [wife of Wally Elenbaas]
Collage artist, Erica Baj tells Voight Kampff Magazine about some of her favourite things.
Name: Erica Baj
Current City: Barcelona
Favourite place and why? Menorca. I visited for a week last Summer with my boyfriend. The Island has avoided being too touristy and we wandered around naked in the caves, forests and beaches undiscovered. It was magical. Also I ate the most delicious Mussels I have ever tasted.
Favourite time to work on your art? Night or Day? I like to work in the day especially when I have nothing else planned and hours ahead of me, I’m no good under pressure.
Favourite music to listen to when creating? I listen to Hip Hop, instrumental only otherwise the lyrics distract me, JRocc, Prince Paul, 9th Wonder, MadLib. The process of making a collage for me is like a producer making a beat, you cut up the original source material creating ‘samples’ then arrange them to create something fresh.
Favourite book: Knut Hamsun ‘Hunger’
Favourite film: Polanski’s’ The Tenant’. Terrifying!
Artist: 18 Carat Affair
Track: Haunted Heart (Digital Mix)
Denys Parker aka 18 Carat Affair creates emotionally charged and nostalgic melodic landscapes that transport you and make you feel like you’re candyflipping to a California sunrise.
Voight Kampff Magazine asks him about who he is and what he does.
Who is 18 Carat Affair and how have you arrived at your current point musically, in terms of both influences and experience?
18 Carat affair is a public image enterprise. The name derives from an “Associates” song off their album “Sulk”, and ties in with the sound and style of my music. Musically, influences come from nostalgia, the improvisational methods of Jazz/Funk, disconnected atmospheres of Martin Hannetts work, and replicating emotion through sound/textures. Vocally, I use the Elizabeth Frasier (Cocteau Twins) approach of focusing the vocals on song structure over written lyrics. All 18 Carat Affair recordings are improvised to tape and released. I’ve had experience as an engineer at various studios in KCMO, and obtained a degree in visual arts/music composition from UMKC. With persistence, exposure and loyal fans I’m at my current point in music.
Your sound is very emotionally charged in my opinion. Do you have to be in a very specific frame of mind in order to create?
Yes, having cynical and pessimistic tendencies adds subtle patterns to the songs. I do believe that emotion is necessary to the recording process.It makes the music unique to the musician and listener. The chords used play a part, Minor 7/9 chords have a very moody sound. Along with the instruments I use.
Do you feel yourself to be aligned with any particular musical or cultural movement?
Yes and no, there’s a lot of creative music out there. My sound is based on 80‘s Jazz/Funk tape paintings/collages. When I started recording, my music was something new and innovative. Artists like James Ferraro, Ariel Pink, and numerous others have revived yesterdays recording techniques. When listening to similar artists via last.fm or recommendations from fans it’s crazy to hear the parallel mindsets and sounds. Digital recording, “what sells” and the modern Clear Channel radio monopoly keep brilliant artists away from ears. It’s truly a shame.
Your imagery and music work very well together. I fell in love with the synergy between “Pretty Girls I Don’t Know Anymore” and the short video piece that accompanies it. Is the visual element something you work on yourself or do you involve others?
The videos come from fans and myself. I made that video using footage from a 1985 fashion sampler tape and betamax processing. The initial release of “60/40” was dubbed and sold on 50 VHS tapes similar to that. The visual elements evoke the sound of my music. Thanks to fans of the sound more videos exist in the same vein. I’m currently working with “Broken Machine Films” to tie my next releases with videos.
What equipment do you use and how do you approach production of a track (assuming that it is a somewhat consistent process)?
I use Oberheim DX / Sequential Circuitsdrum machines, MPC1000, Roland Juno‐6/Alpha1, a Korg Poly‐800 and a TEAC 4track tape recorder. I usually start from scratch with a drum machine or a sample and overdub my synthesizers for bass, chords and melody. The sounds get recorded within 4 takes to the tape, which is then removed cut up and rearranged to create short re‐pitched collages.
How does the equipment you use influence your musical output?
The equipment plays an important role in the sound. Oberheim and Sequential Circuits drum machines were used extensively in 80‘s Funk and Pop. Prince & The Revolution influenced my drum programming and string patches on my Juno’s. MPC samplers are synonymous with Rap/Hip‐hop and can chop samples and sequence phenomenally. Roland Juno’s have a very warm sound to them and can be programmed to make very lush sounds. Artists like Slave, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Joy Division, and New Order influence the programming of sounds. Tape recorders are also important as they can act as a time machine for sound, and give you the option of manipulation of speed and pitch.
How do your surroundings influence your sound if indeed they do?
The 18 Carat Affair sound is very coastal. Miami, L.A mixed with despair and glamour reflect the sound I have in mind. Kansas City plays a part with the beauty of age‐old fountains and architecture.
Can you tell me about any upcoming or ongoing projects?
I’m currently finishing up “High Emotion” which should be available toward the end of February. The album sequels the style I’ve had with my past releases and could possibly be an end to the short collage production I mentioned. “18 Carat Affair – Pure Gold Vol.1” will be available soon, offering a track list of “Greatest Hits”. I plan on getting a VHS release sometime this year via “Broken Machine Films”, as well as getting more physical stock of works and merchandise available at www.18carataffair.com
Forthcoming album, “High Emotion” will be available at the end of February.
You can listen to and purchase 18 Carat Affair’s previous albums @ www.18carataffair.com
Interview by Aonghus Kneeshaw
