beinArt Interview with Kris Kuksi

Posted on May 14, 2007 by beinArt

Jon Beinart – "What inspires you to create art?"

Lust & Self Abuse by Kris Kuksi Kris Kuksi – "What inspires me to create art is finding those things in life that should be brought to our attention, like that of politics, war, famine, discrimination, or just unnoticed beauty and bringing them to life in art."

Jon Beinart – "When you create one of your paintings, drawings or sculptures do you plan to communicate a particular message from the outset or does one occur to you as you work intuitively? Also, do you plan your compositions before a beginning piece? I'm interested in hearing about your creative process in general."

Kris Kuksi – "The overall layout is always planned ahead of time, but the small intricate things are improvised as I go. The ideas mostly are there before I begin but sometimes the subject comes together after a lot of work has already taken place. In the sculptures, there are certain rules. There has to be an axis in which all things follow, meaning if there are organic items (the objects representative of living things), follow their own free form axis. Meaning they can be titled or reclining. But any structural effects such as building or trusses, must be parallel and level. A good example of this is "The Decision", the figure follows it's own free form, reclining in a half circular fashion. But the objects seen in the torso area are all upright and level. Any smaller organic figures are also free of this axis."

Jon Beinart – "What is your favorite medium to work in and why? I am also curious to find out which medium has been best received by the public."

Kris Kuksi – "The sculptures for sure. They are a hit right now. And I enjoy doing them more than painting or drawing. Painting is a struggle for me which is good, we all need that. But intuitively I'm a builder and the sculptures satisfy that need."

Jon Beinart – "I have noticed you get a lot of feedback on DeviantArt and other web based communities. I have also noticed your work popping up all over the web, in Art Publications and group exhibitions. I have enjoyed watching the Kuksi craze spread like a disease ;) and I feel especially proud to own one of your original drawings. What kind of feedback have you received from from this recent explosion of successes? I am particularly interested to hear of any negative feedback you have received or controversy sparked by your works."

Kris Kuksi – "Oh, some of the political things I've done piss the conservatives off like I said before. But with that aside I've enjoyed the comments and there seems to be a consistent appreciation for the time spent in these works.

I'm very self-critical and never pat myself on the back, never. I accomplish things very well but I never spend too much time enjoying it. I have to do more, I think that it must be for a grand pinnacle somewhere that I will be at. Maybe it is only to inspire people to change things in this world. Money is nice and it helps to do the next big thing, but I do this out of selfless motives. I'm proud of the work but I know that I always have to continue making it and getting better. I'm in a prison so to speak, I am one who won't enjoy a nice married life with children. I won't enjoy a relaxing vacation in the Bahamas. I have to be getting this stuff out. I'd say I'm like the old cliché of walking the fine line of madness.

So it is very very nice to see the comments and praise and it helps to keep going through rough times.

So that is my rant."

Jon Beinart – Has politics always been a major theme in your work or has it grown since Bush came into power? I noticed your recent drawing of George bush (and must commend you on how striking and powerful the image is). I've also noticed that war has been a recurring theme in your sculptures. Are you very concerned about the future of the world? Is this something that keeps you up at night?"

The Great Liberator by Kuksi Kris Kuksi – "Yes, I've gotten a lot more political since Bush has been in office. I'm concerned about it because of what the rest of the world thinks about Americans. I guess I want to let people of other cultures that not all Americans follow Bush's foot steps so blindly. War is something I am always fascinated with, and it has been a part of human history from early man. I like to probe into this aspect of psychology, and the irrational motives we have that create it. Aggression is something that isn't exactly inborn in us, but learned. We teach our children to hate and have biases towards other humans of differing beliefs and religions. In turn, it is loyalty that drives one to fight a war.

So here is the future upon us, war is present more than ever. The climate is fragile and changing rapidly. What happens in say 50 years? Scary to think about."

Jon Beinart – "I noticed an artwork in your DeviantArt gallery titled 'the complete Zodiac' and wondered if you have an particular interest in astrology or the occult?"

Kris Kuksi – "I do to some degree.  I fit what a Pisces is though I have many of the qualities of Aqaurius as well, being my rising and moon sign.  I think there is something to it, though I have more interest in numerlogy.  That I have found is more precise.  That is probably the extent of my interest in the occult, not really into Satan worship either."

Jon Beinart – "On a much lighter note. Does humor play a big part in your art? I may be wrong, but I interpret some of your works as dark satire. Perhaps I am just sick ;)"

Kris Kuksi – "Yes, dark satire is a perfect way to describe it. I tend to have a dark sense of humor when it comes to life. So many things are dark in our times, it is no wonder so much art is reflecting this. In fact we tend to make fun of how awful things are. But humor is a great way to expose something without coming across as crass."

Jon Beinart – "So what happening next in the world of Kuksi? Do you have any upcoming shows? Please do tell."

Kris Kuksi – "I plan to do a book for next year, complete with my broad range of work but also an autobiographical publication. As for exhibits later this year, there are a few art fairs I hope to be involved in that are in Europe, as well as solo show at the Strychnin gallery in October in Berlin. I have a few ideas for large scale work, so those will most likely manifest in the coming months."

Kris Kuksi's Gallery

Kris Kuksi is one of 50 artists featured in out first art book: Metamorphosis.

Posted in Artist Interviews, Drawings, Exhibitions, Paintings, Publications, Sculpture | 3 Comments

From INSCAPE To Art of Imagination

Posted on May 14, 2007 by beinArt

The following article was written by Brigid Marlin. This is the first time it has been published online. Thank you Brigid.

Brigid Marlin’s Gallery"In 1960  a few young artists in England banded together to study techniques of painting, and to inspire each other. We called ourselves the INSCAPE  group, because we wanted to depict the inner landscapes of the mind. We met in Peter Holland’s studio in the attic, where we could pour gesso over everything and splash paint on top. Peter was an inventor as well as an artist and created robots that could serve us tea. It was an inspiring time. We all worked together intensively, preparing gesso panels, and painting vigorously to the sounds of music for inspiration, varied occasionally by odd recordings Peter had made of the amplified sound of snails eating cabbage. Peter specialized in Surreal pictures of umbrellas; Jack Ray did Cathedrals in copper and resin, and Steve Snell, Alan Senior and I did Visionary paintings.

The Inscape Group flourished, and we were joined by artists Richard Jones, who was a dwarf and painted powerful pictures of dwarves, Christiane Kubrick, who painted magic realism, Jan Clutterbuck our first watercolourist and Diana Hesketh, our first Sculptor.

We began to show our work abroad, and were invited by Ernst Fuchs to take part in an unusual Summer Seminar at a huge Castle in the Austrian mountains.

Ernst Fuchs had gathered artists from all over the world; America, Japan, Iceland, Sweden, Germany, Israel. Artists set up their easels;- some in turrets, some in the balconies or the vast high ceilinged rooms, and we vied with each other to produce our greatest masterpieces, exchanging ideas and techniques It became the sort of artistic Brotherhood I had always dreamed of.

Ernst Fuchs’s GalleryErnst Fuchs showed us the astonishing egg tempera and oil technique of the Italian Renaissance Masters, which he had rediscovered after much research, and now called the ‘Mische Technique’. We worked in layers of white egg tempera separated by coloured glazes. It took us far beyond our own approaches to studying technique.

In the evenings everything changed, and we became just as eager to have fun! There was dancing, singing, and heated discussions about Rembrandt, Vermeer and Jackson Pollock in corners. Wolfgang Manner, who directed the Seminar and was also a Mountain Rescue leader, would umpire heated discussions (possibly brought on by the Schnapps made by the local farmers from cherries) between  New Yorker Phil Jacobson (who now leads Summer Seminars himself), an Icelander known as "Fishfingers" and Yoko Shiraishi (who's mother had bright pink hair and was the top Japanese poet).

Ilan Kutz, a Major in the Israeli Army, who had just returned from the Entebbe raid, played and sang for us all on his guitar. Elisa Halvegard from Sweden made garlands of flowers for everyone to wear, and embroidered fairies on people’s clothes in odd places when they weren’t looking. At night the poorer artists slept in a dormitory and when one couple started sharing a bed, and being  too noisy, Richard Jones got up and poured a jug of water over them. There were some strange characters there. Marielle (from Germany) got up early every morning to collect butterflies, and was enraged when Joseph (from Haarlem, New York), ate them.

At the end of the Summer there was an Exhibition in the Great Ballroom of the Castle, and the local dignitaries were invited to the Opening and a Masked Ball.

Richard- who although he is a dwarf has a giant voice – stood at the top of the Grand Staircase wearing a black cape and a sword (he said he was Draculet). He held up a flaming seven branched cantlestick and shouted; “Men can only speak to the Gods through the Dwarves. But the Men are killing all the Dwarves. And soon, the Men will no longer be able to hear the voices of the Gods!” Then he staggered into the gardens and was sick.

Back home in England when everyone had recovered we decided that this was a marvelous experience, and returned every year for over a decade. Then in 1993 Ernst Fuchs called a meeting in Metternich Castle in Austria for Imaginative artists and Patrons. There Laurie Lipton and I met H R Giger, Bruno Weber, De Es Schwertberger, Mati Klarwein, and Mauro Albarelli,  Ernst Fuchs asked us all to work to help promote Fantastic and Visionary Art, and thanks to Inscape International we were ready to form the Society for Art of Imaginaton, which is open so we changed the small INSCAPE Group' into the SOCIETY FOR ART OF IMAGINATION; open to any imaginative artist in the world. Since then we have been privileged to help many artists to further their careers, and to stage Exhibitions all over the world. It has become truly a Brotherhood of Artists!"

Brigid Marlin is also one of 50 artists published in: Metamorphosis.

Posted in Artist Resources, History of Art, Paintings | Leave a comment

Naoto Hattori at Lineage Gallery

Posted on May 12, 2007 by beinArt

Naoto Hattori’s GalleryI am sure many of you are already familiar with the name Naoto Hattori, a rising star from Japan responsible for a phenominal amount of Subversive Psychedelic Lowbrow Art. I couldn't throw enough adjectives at this mans giant body of deranged works. Naoto's cute Rydenesk characters creep closer to the macabre than many of his contemporaries (in the pop surrealist movement) and are packed with more drug references than you could poke a joint at. I would like to probe deeper into the mind of Naoto at some stage and may come back with an interview. For now, i must go to bed. Tis late.

Naoto is having a solo show of new works from June 1st – July 1st at the Lineage Gallery – 21 N. 2nd Street Philadelphia, PA USA

Naoto is one of 50 artists published in our first book: Metamorphosis  

Posted in Exhibitions, Paintings, Psychedelics & Art | 2 Comments

Chris Mars Madness in Oils

Posted on May 12, 2007 by beinArt

Chris Mars Madness in OilsI discovered Chris Mars's work a few years ago in an issue of Juxtapoz. After sharing one moment with Mars's Demented world of circus freaks & demonic psychedelia I was hooked. This mans imagination is responsible for more delightful terror than George Bush could hope to find in the whole Middle East! (mind my cheese) I can not even begin to explain what this kind of imagery does to my brain.

Its like Hieronymus Bosch met Mark Ryden in the dark corner of Joe Coleman's Odditorium and decided to free the Madness from all Assylums in one shot! Let Madness roam free and try to fit its whole body into one canvas with the company of HR Giger himself. Aside from all of the insanity and delicious darkness (which I'm sure you can see thrills me to no end), Chris Mars's Techinical ability with oils makes me want to jump in front of a truck and squawk Freedom!

Seriously, I am obviously a huge fan and getting a little overwhelmed right now as I navigate through his bottomless treasure trove. Have a look for yourselves: Chris Mars's Website

Right Above: VM-5: THE POOR STEWARD, oil on panel, 16×20, 2005

Right Below: THE ANTIDOTE STAND, oil on panel, 24×36, 2005

Posted in Paintings, Psychedelics & Art | 1 Comment

Karl Persson’s Paintings – New Site

Posted on May 12, 2007 by beinArt

Karl Persson’s New WebsiteKarl Persson (27) is one of the most skilled artists I know. Whether you find his images beautiful, disturbing or grotesque, Karl's strikingly realistic oil paintings have always demanded more attention than a quick glance. I have known Karl since 2003 when I lived with him in a huge chaotic warehouse. Out of all of the occupants, I instantly clicked with Karl and we have been close friends ever since (even though we have challenged, annoyed and even angered each other at times…. But that's friendship). I have enjoyed watching Karl's skill as a painter grow over the years and have especially enjoyed watching people react to his work. Even those who hate Karl's work have found it impossible to deny that he is a brilliant painter (verging on genius).

Karl was one of the first featured artists on our old site 'Underground Australian art Collective' (founded in 2003), and over the years I have received countless email inquiries and feedback regarding his paintings (more so than my own art… Sob, sob).

I am happy to announce that Karl Persson has just launched his own website, showcasing his portfolio for the world to behold. Prints, posters and originals will be available from Karl's site in the near future as will news regarding future exhibitions, etc. (i'll also be posting news about Karl's upcoming exhibitions here, on our own art news blog so stay tuned).

Karl was also published in Metamorphosis  

Posted in Metamorphosis, Paintings | Leave a comment

Surreal & Curvaceous Violin Sculptures

Posted on May 10, 2007 by beinArt

See more of Philippe Guillerm’s workPhilippe Guillerm's curvaceous violin sculptures are certainly a sight to behold. Their expressive poses give these well crafted string instruments much life as though each sculpture has its own personality. I imagine they would make a great subject for an animation. One could leap from a violinists arms and land gracefully to perform interpretive dance movements to the sound of moody classical music. But before I follow this tangent to its tragically corny end, I'd like to say that I am very impressed with Philippe's work, only I would like to see them photographed in a more creative setting with dramatic lighting.

Here is a short excerpt I found on Phiippe's website:

Guillerm's music-inspired sculptures are whimsical and curvaceous string instruments, he uses the theme as a way of expressing human nature and needs, you see an instrument, he sees an attitude. 

Posted in Sculpture | Leave a comment

The Tale of How: Surreal Animation

Posted on May 10, 2007 by beinArt

I'm sure many of you have stumbled upon 'The Tale of How' on your cyber travels since it spread like a virus over popular blogs, forums and social networking sites. The stunning psychedelic animation was created by a passionate group who call themselves The Black Heart Gang. Each member of this close group of friends contributed their own unique talent and skill to form the perfect collaborative dynamic. Tale of How was produced over a period of nine months in the collaborators spare time with no budget!!

I first saw this Animation when the illustrator of the group 'Ree Treweek' registered on our own Surreal Art Forum and introduced the project to our forum members. Although the story, style and aesthetic of The Tale of How is very unique, I would personally describe the experience as a Tim Burton, Danny Elfman & Doctor Seuss combo on a large dose of LSD (and I draw this comparison with great appreciation and respect).

Visit the official Black Heart Gang website for a high resoution version of The Tale of How.

Here is an excerpt of Ree's post on our forum:

'The Blackheart Gang is a collective of friends with a passion for creating stories. The idea for The Tale of How was to create something original, inspiational, beautiful and sincere. The story is the second part of a three part story, developed by Ree Treweek and Markus Smit. Markus wrote the story and the music. Ree developed the characters, and drew all the elements for the world. Jannes Hendrikz composited, sylised and directed the animation process & Justin Baker was head 3d animator and modeller.'

Posted in Animation, Drawings | Leave a comment

LSD: Alex Grey on Albert Hofmann

Posted on May 10, 2007 by beinArt

St Albert and The LSD Revelation RevolutionMy friend Delvin Solkinson of Elvism was kind enough to send me a copy of Alex Grey's CoSM: Journal of Visionary Culture volume 4 which was dedicated to Albert Hofmann's 100th birthday, the Swiss chemist who discovered LSD 50 years ago. Delvin had published a very interesting article titled 'Entheo Art: Mystical Offering and Spiritual Forum', in the journal and wanted to share it with me. I had heard of Alex Grey's Visionary Art journal before, but had never actually seen it and enjoyed many articles within, especially the article (written by Grey) describing the meaning behind his painting of Hofmann. I was very pleased to see that some of our featured Visionary Artists (on beinArt.org) had been published in CoSM as well including Maura Holden, Naoto Hattori, Robert Venosa, Martina Hoffmann  & Alex Grey himself (who were also published in our first Art Book: Metamorphosis). Allyson Grey, Luke Brown, Guy Atchinson, Michele Wortman, Eli Morgan, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Erial & Carey Thompson were also featured in the CoSM Journal.

Here is an excerpt from the journal written by Alex Grey on his portrait of Albert Hofmann 'St. Albert and The LSD Revelation Revolution' (shown in this article):

'In my portrait of Dr. Hofmann, the eye of transcendental spirit in the upper left hand corner of the painting releases spiralic streams of primordial rainbow spheres of potential, one of which becomes a compassionate alchemical angel, whose tears drip down to anoint or 'create' the LSD molecule that the doctor holds in his hands, and a demon, here identified with Nazi power tugs or pushes at it. LSD opens a visionary gateway to the heart, as shown by the spiral of fractally infinitizing eyes resembling the stripey eye-spheres of the molecule, swirling into the center of the chest. On St. Albert's shoulder blade is a portrait of Paracelsus, the Alchemist of Basel, 500 years ago, who is credited with founding modern Chemistry, yet his alchemical goal was to discover the Philosopher's Stone. Alchemy was the art and science of the transmutation of the elements, like turning lead into gold and the identification of the soul of the alchemist with the chemical transformations as a metaphor of their journey ti enlightenment. Modern Chemistry took the psyche and mystery out of the material weighed and measured world, reducing the world to a heap of atoms. LSD brought psyche back, front and center to the chemical material world. That is partly why I believe that LSD is the Philosopher's Stone, the discovery of which, also in the town of Basel, is the result of an alchemical process put in motion by the great Paracelsus. In the portrait, I painted a lot of LSD personalities and symbolism in the aura of Dr. Hofmann. Some of these people were Dr Hofmann's friends, like Aldous Huxley, Gordon Wasson, Maria Sabina and Richard Evans Schultes. Each of these people had a special connection to psychedelics. Huxley wrote fearlessly about the psychedelic experience in The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell, which also talks about Visionary states and works of art.'

I am also happy to announce that I received an order from The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors for 10 copies of Metamorphosis Art Book for their gift shop (what an honor). Thank you Alex and Allyson.

Posted in Metamorphosis, Paintings, Psychedelics & Art, Publications | 2 Comments
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