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    Andy Kerstens

    Andy Kerstens

    1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

    I’m born in Wilrijk, very close to Antwerp (Belgium). I grew up in a charming neighbour closer to the countryside. At a one hour drive of Antwerp.

    2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

    Hard to say, as a child is was always very interested in creative stuff, and was always in search for interesting ideas and aesthetic content. Weird to say maybe, but each summer we travelled to Southern Europe. And I can remember that we drove around these roundabouts where quite often big art sculptures were exposed.

    3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

    Except from some student jobs in sales I do yes. From the start of my student career, I knew quite well what I wanted to do later in life. So even when I was still studying, I already wanted to explore the work field, and so worked at some architecture offices to improve my knowledge and to prepare myself for the ‘real’ job after the studies.

    4. What led you to the design creation ?

    I’ve always been intrigued by beautiful thing around us, close to the humans. From furniture, to spaces, to product design and everything that passes by daily. I think the urge to create beautiful and tranquil surroundings for people has been a strong motivator. The understanding of the importance of design, and what it could lead to as it enhances the human senses.

    5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

    We always start by a wide visual inspection of images that we feel attracted to, taking into account the project and requirements given by the Client. We try to create a fundamental idea, materialization, color, or it could be anything to built around strong principles to become a consistent design. This will all be shaped together with the progress on 2D drawings and floor plans, but at the same time we already investigate the overall influences rather quick in 3D

    6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

    Well, rather boring I guess. For most of the (long) days I’m staring at my computer screens. Of course there is variety with visits, meeting with Clients and companies. But for most of the time I’m at the office.

    7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

    Our material palette mostly consist of materials with a natural source background. We like to use these materials because of their ability to create an environment that is very close to the human and has the ability to form a natural security and warmth. The possibilities are endless, and the craftsmanship built over the past decades are just mind blowing.

    8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

    I guess the fact that we mostly like to hide all technical parts, which almost requires a separate study and new detailing techniques to be able to not see them. It sound rather absurd, but to hide everything sometimes is more challenging then the installations itself. Though at the same time being honest about construction ways and just purely show them. It’s each time a well found balance.

    9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

    Just imagine nothing is impossible, as long as your creative desire is there.

    10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

    Hmm, that’s a hard one. Depends on the project and pieces I guess. Could go into different directions. Though in most cases our work is read as minimal, but to my own personal impression I do not really agree.

    11. What designers have influenced you ?

    In my study for sure some big Belgian names like for example Van Duysen. But also John Pawson, Poul Kjearholm, Zumthor, Rick Owens, Chipperfield, …

    12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

    Many of above. Also in the list: OOAA, Studio Ko, Hans Verstuyft, Marc Merckx, Nicolas Schuybroek, Nathalie Deboel, Francesco Balzano, Valeriane Lazard, Noro Khachatryan,…

    13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

    Tranquil

    14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

    Tranquil and serene designs with a natural and warm materialisation that tries to impress the human senses and create a certain impression and calm atmosphere.

    Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
    (The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)

    1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

    Waking up each morning with sunrises touches the white blankets and your skin

    2. What is your greatest fear?

    Losing your beloved ones

    3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

    The enormous struggle to answer this

    4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

    Inefficiency sometimes

    5. Which living person do you most admire?

    Haha, can’t choose any of the bucket list

    6. What is your greatest extravagance?

    Going crazy with holiday expenses

    7. What is your current state of mind?

    Going crazy with holiday expenses

    8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

    Piety

    9. What is the quality you most like in a man ?

    Honesty

    10. What is the quality you most like in a woman ?

    Caring aspect

    11. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

    ‘We shall see’

    12. Which talent would you most like to have?

    Ability to always have a clear and peaceful mind – being chill

    13. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

    My hair

    14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

    My young entrepreneurship and international relations

    15. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

    A bird

    16. Where would you most like to live?

    A sunny destination, close to mountains and a coastline

    17. What is your most treasured possession?

    My hands, without that I won’t be able to create

    18. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

    Losing my life partner and my job

    19. What is your favorite occupation?

    Creating design and new ideas

    20. What is your most marked characteristic?

    I guess my stubborn perseverance

    21. What do you most value in your friends?

    Loyalty and authenticity

    22. Who are your favorite writers?

    None, I’m sorry

    23. Who is your hero of fiction?

    Don’t have any – no the biggest lover of fiction.

    24. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

    I look towards the future

    25. Who are your heroes in real life?

    Mid-century and later designers who shaped the contemporary design landscape of today

    26. What are your favorite names?

    Don’t have any in particular, but mostly attracted to French ones.

    27. What is it that you most dislike?

    Fakeness and imitations (being it things or human behaviour)

    28. What is your greatest regret?

    To not always

    29. How would you like to die?

    Peacefull and surrounded by beloved ones

    30. What is your motto?

    Always stay true and hold on to your path

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