René Kemp, The Oldest Network, 2016, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht
René Kemp, The Oldest Network, 2016, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht

“Immer neu loslegen wie neu”

Name

René Kemp

Profession

International artist with the provincial approach

Website

aufstehenhinlegen.com

Who are you? What do you do?

I find myself working as an artist. Some say I’m still young, some say I’m emerging. I do Visual art, drawing, painting, assemblages and sculpture. And I also write, which is sort of fundamental for almost all my visual work. I’ve also been making music and sound for many years, and “Design”, too.

René Kemp, ACAB (All Critics Are Beautiful), 2019, Photo Mareike Tocha, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht
René Kemp, ACAB (All Critics Are Beautiful), 2019, Photo Mareike Tocha, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht

Where are you from?

I’m from Cologne, Germany. But that is just a coincidence.

Your style in 3 words?

Muddy, Hesitant, Heartfelt

Your weakness? Your strength?

Doubts are my weakness – Doubts are my strength

What makes you different?

That is not for me to answer. I really try to think of the things that connect me with society. That’s  enough for me

When did you decide to become an artist?

It was rather a ride over yonder than a deliberate decision

René Kemp, Half Man Half Jewish Mother, 2017, Photo Daniel Helbig, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht
René Kemp, Half Man Half Jewish Mother, 2017, Photo Daniel Helbig, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht

What do you find most fascinating about your work?

“Immer neu loslegen wie neu”

A few words about your favourite creation?

Language is my all-time favourite creation

Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…

I don’t like the term “Inspiration”, and prefer to not use it. There are many forms of Ignition. But sometimes, when I’m stuck, I turn to David Hammons, or Lee Lozano, or Mike Kelley. And of course art that is unknown to me.

Who would you like to work with someday and why?

Whoever’s having me

René Kemp, from the Series Thin skinned audiences, 2019, Photo Mareike Tocha, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht
René Kemp, from the Series Thin skinned audiences, 2019, Photo Mareike Tocha, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht

A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?

Currently working on and for my upcoming show at Zarinbal Khoshbakht in September.

Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“

The careers of all the others piled up.

2020: Where are we going?

Anywhere, as long as you wear a mask.

When the going gets tough…

you are still far away from death

Your city’s favourite spots?

The streets I’ve never walked and the crypt of St. Andreas church, where the remains of Albertus Magnus rest.

René Kemp, Untitled (Nation of Dreamers:From the rubble), 2017, Photo Daniel Helbig, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht
René Kemp, Untitled (Nation of Dreamers:From the rubble), 2017, Photo Daniel Helbig, Courtesy Zarinbal Khoshbakht

Put on your future vision glasses: What direction is our generation moving in, what will our world look like in 50 years?

Right now it doesn’t look very promising, even without vision glasses

What would you do if you could change the World?

Tell no one, because the pressure would be soul crushing

If the universe is everything and it’s expanding, what is it expanding into?

That is a question for David Deutsch maybe. I’m busy dealing with the current expansion

Tell us about your future plans…

I don’t have plans, really. I have certain ambitions which are very plain, very basic. I would like to continue going to the studio, writing, and making music and don’t dwell too much on stuff that I think I’m good at

Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?

Right now maybe „Black Monday“ by Andrew Hill, or „Fruscio de Foglie Verdi“ by Ennio Morricone

One last statement please: „Wood or stone, gold or art?“

„Never not contemporary“

Your #…?

#badprintishyperreal