Kevin Driscoll (b.1987) is an artist originally from Boston, Massachusetts, who currently lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Driscoll’s practice focuses on the intersection of construction techniques, architectural concepts, and contemporary societal commentary. His work often seeks to challenge perceptions of functionality and value within our built environment through the use of common materials and familiar forms. The works often appear purpose-built but are deliberately over-engineered, embodying a sense of absurdity in their practical inefficiency.
You’ve just returned from an extended stay in the USA. How did you experience the current mood in the local art scene there?
That’s a great question, because I am not really sure to be honest. But somehow Berlin is always changing and growing, there are constantly new people, or I have new goals - so maybe that's why it stays fresh. It's also a city that's filled with artists so I get the feeling the quality of art is really incredible because you have artists inspiring and pushing each other to do great work.
Well, I wanted to represent the Berlin sculptors a bit on this wall. Some of them also have really amazing wall hanging work, so I thought it would be interesting to show off that side of their practice, but also in general I thought it’s be a nice contrast to the paintings that will be hanging in the rest of the space. Sculptors (at least the group i’ve been talking to) always seem to have such a range of work in their practice, so I was excited to dip into their archives or even see some unreleased tests while I was visiting their studios - and I’m even more excited to put it all together on one wall for the show on the 5th of June.
I think on one hand they all overlap, so it’s not so difficult to manage all of them, but at the same time, they definitely help each other as well. So I don't know - maybe, I don’t really see them as separate roles as much as I see them as different things I need or want to do throughout the week. If I’m producing new work or have a show coming up, I am allowed to really put most of my focus on that, which is great. And the opposite is also true, sometimes ArtConnect demands a lot of time, and I’ll spend the week doing more admin than making. But honestly, I like the fluctuation. Sometimes it means I need to be a bit more intentional and organized with my time and effort, but for the most part each piece of my professional life seems to benefit from the other.
Your artistic practice is strongly shaped by sculpture. What does sculptural work mean to you today – and what questions or themes do you explore through it?
I love making things. so sculpture is almost a natural place to exist. Also I love the flexibility. I can hang things on the wall, or sometimes create something freestanding. But at the same time I am still drawing and designing throughout the process, so although there is a final output or object, there's such a nice process of sketching, model making and random tests and failures that can also become their own works. So in general I enjoy the journey and discovery along the way.
What’s next? Is there a project or idea you’re currently working on that you can already share with us?
Up next is a collaborative exhibition with an artist I’ve only interacted with online so far – this will be our first real-life encounter, both creatively and personally. Together with Cologne-based artist Ben Post, I’ll be exhibiting our work on 14 and 15 June at Lycra in Hamburg. We are both musicians as well, and we intend to highlight the musical aspects of our painting in the show – and for the private view, we’ll be DJing together. Do come along!
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