What does the ideal studio look like? How much time does an artist spend in his studio? Is it a sacred place? In the series 'The artist’s studio' this week: Kasper De Vos, who has a duo exhibition with Liesbeth Henderickx at LLS Paleis in Antwerp in the series 'Affiniteiten'.
Do you visit your studio every day?
JYes, I intend to go there every day. Besides being a work place and playground, the studio is also a reflection and dream place. My practice is very much inspired by materials. Just like in a well-functioning kitchen, a lot of time goes into clearing and organizing those materials. They are arranged by colour, raw material and origin in plastic crates, like in a market stall.
What time do you leave for your studio, and how: on foot, by bicycle, public transport or car?
I usually go to my studio by bike, because I have little patience in the morning and work has to be done. If I need more reflection, I walk to the studio; it's not far from my home and it's a beautiful walk along the Ghent Coupure.
Do you hold on to certain rituals in your studio? Music or silence?
I don't think there are fixed rituals. I do like to work with music, during the physical work it keeps the rhythm in it and it also colours the atmosphere in the space and mind. Work really starts the moment I put on my work attire.
How important is light to you?
I can't see anything without light, so light is extremely important. I really like the changing atmospheres of daylight, and the effect it has on the space and objects.
What does your work process look like? Do you work everywhere and all the time or does work only commence the moment you enter your studio?
In the studio, work grows systematically until it can be harvested. That can take years, but it can also flourish in just a few days. How much time do you spend on average per day in your studio? I am usually in my studio from 10am to 7pm. If I have a lot of projects, I work non-stop, otherwise I work on the space itself and play with colours.
Is your studio a sacred place?
In my work I like to play with this idea of the studio as a fictional, romantic place. Ultimately, it's just a workshop, but since you spend so much time there – and as an artist you are constantly creating and shaping your environment – it eventually becomes a kind of spiritual playground or dream factory.
Do you receive visits there; collectors, curators or fellow artists?
I share my studio with Liesbeth Henderickx and Sven Boel; ten years ago we worked there as a collective. I regularly work with students or recently graduated artists. It is instructive for me to be connected with different generations.
What is the most beautiful studio you have ever seen?
The studio of my neighbour Pieter De Clercq is a hidden gem. The mobile Luna Park, the studio of Karl Phillips, which I recently visited, is also very special. I have often envied the work in the studio of the Austrian sculptor Bruno Gironcoli. I also recently visited Ronald Dahl's writing studio, on YouTube. The photos Constantin Brâncuși took of his sculptures in his studio are phenomenal. Alexander Calder's studio also appeals to the imagination.
What does the ideal studio look like?
It’s spacious, heated, and has an outdoor space. Lots of daylight, on the edge of a city with a view of the greenery.