Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. I am an artist and I live in NYC. I make work that almost always begins in the computer with 3D animation, but often ends up morphing into a medium that is more tactile than an image on a screen. My work, most simply, deals with modes of image-making and interaction between an artist/user and their tools.
What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? Most recently I have been working on these plexiglass etchings that are layers of “drawings,” made by me and my computer. Basically, I make a drawing in 3D software and manipulate the way the software displays elements of the drawing. So I/the computer render all the elements as cubes, instead of the more organic shapes that I initially drew. Then, I render that image out of the computer and etch it by hand onto the plexiglas – that’s right, another rendering! I also include a rendering of the initial drawing as a print fixed onto the plexiglass. It’s all about me drawing and then the computer making a drawing and then me making the drawing again! Some of the earliest were shown at Untitled Miami last December and recent ones will be included in a group show at Microscope Gallery opening at the end of this month. I am also currently working on new video and some sculptures for a solo show at Microscope Gallery next season.
What materials do you use in your work and what is your process like? I try not to limit myself to any one medium or material. So, while a lot of my work begins with video, it often takes the form as paintings, etchings or sculpture. For example, I made a sculpture using a laser in my first show.
Favorite quote(s)? “I won’t scatter your sorrow to the heartless sea. I will always be with you.” – Punished Snake. I’ve been playing a lot of Metal Gear Solid V.
What artists are you interested in right now? Darren Bader, James Hoff, Hammann von Mier, Cameron Jamie, Ian Cheng, Josh Kline, Lutz Bacher, Dan Graham, Trevor Shimizu, Lee Lozano, Susan Philipsz, and so many more.
What’s your favorite thing about Brooklyn? NY is really great, there are so many museums and galleries/project spaces, so no shortage of art to see. Lots of great music happens here as well. Most of my friends live here, so between all of that there is always something going on. But it’s summer now and that means going to the beach! I try to get out there often and end up eating at Spumoni Gardens which is my favorite pizza and very close to the Rockaways.
What was the last exhibition you saw that stuck out to you? I just took a trip to Germany and spent some time in Munich. The two shows at Haus der Kunst (Harun Farocki and Free Music Production) were really great. I liked the Jos de Gruyter & Harald Thys show at Kunstverein München as well.
What do you do when you’re not working on your art? When I am not in my studio working I try to see lots of art in the city, as well as going to music events. I watch a lot of YouTube as well. There’s this dramatic video of a fish surgery that I really like. Also, I love going to see blockbuster action movies. I’m especially excited for Thor: Ragnarok, Zeppelin in the trailer, it’s going to be nuts!
If you had not become an artist what do you think you would be doing? I think maybe I would be going back to school for computer science and learning how to code or maybe economics. I think the way markets work and how money moves is really interesting. I like learning about technology companies and how they accumulate worth when often times they don’t sell a physical commodity. Snapchat is an interesting example.
What are you listening to right now? I’ve been listening to a lot of Moondog and the new Chino Amobi record is really fun. The latest PAN Records mixtape, Mono No Aware, is great for working in the studio.
All images are courtesy of Kevin Reuning and Microscope Gallery