Kevin Frankental is the co-owner and creative director of Lemon. His particular interest is working with materials that originate from the earth, embracing a fascination that revolves around understanding the essence of these materials, appreciating their intrinsic qualities, and shaping them into designs that withstand the relentless passage of time. His work offers a dedicated exploration of the elusive notion of timelessness, delving into the very heart of this enigma – crafting designs that, like treasures of old, possess an enduring quality and an everlasting resonance and stand as a testament to the eternal allure of artistry in design.

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

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I still reside.

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

I have always struggled with drawing, my first memory is when I became conscious of this fact. When your ego starts forming, it can hinder creativity and bravery in a sense.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field, and what led you to the design creation ?

For most of my professional career, yes, although my first job was at a media company strongly centered around print, where I learned some important technical aspects.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

Spending time with fabricators, especially working with steel and brass, has been invaluable. Watching, learning, experimenting… I remember when I first became interested; a friend of mine had to explain the difference between square tube and square bar, and how these simple elements can be used to create interesting forms. At the time, I knew nothing, but in the long run, this has worked to my benefit because it’s allowed me to push the boundaries of what certain materials can do.

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

For me, good design is not time-bound. I have worked on certain designs for years and eventually grown to dislike them, while other pieces I’ve worked on for just 30 minutes and loved. What interests me is where, in the subconscious, the ideas come from. I’m mostly fascinated by design history and, to some degree, enjoy honoring the past; however, I’m very aware that these pieces need to exist in the modern world. I like the push and pull of this.

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

No two days are the same in our industry. I spend a large amount of my time in the factories we work with and chatting with our designers. However, there is some sacred time I need to carve out to put my best work out. It’s only three hours, but it’s critical. I get up early, head into nature, and walk. I tend to solve a lot of unresolved design issues during this time. I then spend two hours simply researching and playing. I work on multiple ideas at once because when I get stuck on one, I need to move on and revisit it later. I’m quite disciplined about this process. I’m not a big believer in waiting for a moment of inspiration to strike.

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

I’m not bound to materiality, but I only really work with natural materials. I don’t like man-made materials—they may perform better, but they lack the character that comes with the patina of age. My preferred palette would be wood, stone, steel, and glass.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

I like that my pieces appear to be aesthetically very simple, but on closer inspection, small details emerge that are both beautiful and functional. I think people appreciate the time and care that is taken.

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

Don’t try to create something perfect on paper or a computer. Get the general idea down, then find a way to start playing and making. So much gets resolved once you begin the process. The design often evolves from this.

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

I think they would fit most comfortably within the mid-century modern movement, though I’m heavily influenced by Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts. Perhaps they would look like they’re having a bit of an identity crisis, which is how I prefer it.

11. What designers and artists have influenced you ?

Jean Prouve, Charlotte Perriand, Carlo Mollino, Joseph Hoffman, Jean Michel Frank, Gabriella Crespi.

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Vincenzo de Cotiis, Fabrizio Casiraghi, Rick Owens.

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

I have always found fellow South African designer Gregor Jenkin’s series Migrant Migrate to be so striking and compelling as an idea.

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

A dialogue between past and present, woven into form.

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE
(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…)

11. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Cool” but I also love mocking the idea of overused business buzzwords; someone told me the other day they were having a quick ‘scrum session’.

12. Which talent would you most like to have?

Musician. 

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

Calorie intake (joking – probably being more reliable). 

14. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I like that I can make friends with people from all walks of life. It sounds obvious, but lots of people are too guarded.

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

An elephant, they have unbelievable ways of communicating and I need to know more about it.

16. Where would you most like to live?

South Africa, where I am. 

17. What is your most treasured possession?

Two very early Ercol lounge chairs my wife bought me. 

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

No meaning. 

19. What is your favorite occupation?

Interesting conversation with friends. 

20. What is your most marked characteristic?

Inappropriate humour.

21. What do you most value in your friends?

Relaxed, don’t expect too much, funny, authentic.

22. Who are your favorite writers?

David Sedaris, Murakami, Joan Didion. 

23. Who is your hero of fiction?

Moira Rose. 

24. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Bob Dylan. 

25. Who are your heroes in real life?

Anyone who can disconnect. 

26. What are your favorite names?

So many, but nothing on trend. Always biblical or classic.

27. What is it that you most dislike?

Going to an event of someone I hardly know (got that from my father) and show-offs.

28. What is your greatest regret?

Not trusting my intuition. 

29. How would you like to die?

Something cool, like a long-range bow and arrow. 

30. What is your motto?

No superfluous details. 

© Inge Prins, Styling by Sanri Pienaar