Vivien Kohler on the art of moving forward and ‘constantly searching for the new’

Tabernacle of Me, 2022. (Photo: Ndthenwhat Productions)

28 Sep 2024

Vivien Kohler answered his calling to become a painter after a stay in hospital. Now a mixed-media artist, he always seeks freshness and the surprising in his work.

We spoke to dynamic multimedia artist Vivien Kohler about what keeps him inspired and how he aspires to continuous improvement.

When did you identify as a creative artist?

Instead of being born with a silver spoon, I was born with a paintbrush in my hand. I’ve been creating ever since I can remember.

Nearing matric, as everyone around me was deciding on vocations, I was left feeling directionless. The shine of being a doctor, lawyer or the like held no attraction for me. Many of my friends were opting for graphic design. This option held a bit of a gleam, but not a bright light.

My teachers and parents suggested fine art, but in the area in which I grew up that did not seem a realistic possibility. I chose graphic design. I did very well, but wanted more.

Then, in second year, I fell ill and needed to be admitted to hospital. While there, the only thing I could think about was how would I be able to paint? The thought of living without it terrified me to the core. It was at that point that it dawned on me that I was an artist.

Mixed-media artist Vivien Kohler. (Photo: Ndthenwhat Productions)

Outside your medium, which branch of art most stimulates you?

In one of my works you might find figurative painting, sculpture, abstraction, assemblage, trompe-l’oeil and collage. So I am drawn to any art form that is highly process-driven, using uncommon materials or unusual usages and mixes of materials.

Recently, I have been drawn to comic book artists. Their ability to capture emotion in the most dynamic way has been intriguing. Their use of mark making and posture is inspiring.

Which artists have inspired you, and why?

In my earlier career I was inspired by the likes of Willie Bester, Cecil Skotnes, Robert Rauschenberg, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Marcel Duchamp. Their unique way of working either with found objects or unusual forms resonated with me long before I could academically understand what they were doing. More recently, I have been inspired by the works of Pim Palsgraaf.

In terms of comic book artists, I like Jim Lee, Frank Cho, Siya Oum and Alex Sinclair.

The Dance of Foot to Neck, 2022. (Photo: Ndthenwhat Productions)

What is art’s most important function?

That is an important question. To me art is simply a medium or voice. It’s a medium that carries the thoughts and philosophies of the one wielding it.

Art is a privilege and needs to be treated as such. My question is: as an artist, what do I want to leave behind for future generations? Is it something to aspire to or is it something that will disrupt for the sake of disruption?

Which local artists excite you?

Igshaan Adams, Cinga Samson, Mia Chaplin, Ronald Muchatuta and Wallen Mapondera. Each of these artists uses sometimes conventional materials in unique and unconventional ways to the degree that their specific use of those materials becomes identifiably their own.

This comes back to art being a medium for the individual’s thoughts or voice. Each of these artists has manipulated their medium of choice to convey their specific voice and proclivities.

Tabernacle of Me, 2022. (Photo: Ndthenwhat Productions)

Which work in literature, music or visual art do you return to again and again, and why?

Returning to things is not something I usually do. The Japanese concept of kaizen, or continuous improvement, is something I try to hold on to.

Forgetting those things that are behind me, I press forward towards the goal set before me. As a creative, I am constantly searching for the new.

What are your thoughts about the artificial intelligence revolution?

Artificial intelligence (AI), as with any new technological developments, was initially met with resistance and questioning. And rightfully so. Anything truly new is first perceived as heretical.

But in this case the public was on edge, possibly because of movies and TV shows that depict the rise of the machines. It was quite clever the way AI was brought into the contemporary cultural consciousness through ChatGPT – a soft launch, if you will.

In terms of art, quite a few people have been trying their hand at employing it, with various degrees of proficiency and efficacy.

Read more: An artwork created using artificial intelligence wins competition… and causes uproar

I have no doubt that AI, if viewed as a tool, definitely has its place in society and even more so in the future as we learn more about it – and as it learns more about us! Only time will truly tell.

It’s been hard to sift through the conspiracy theories and the facts surrounding this particular technology.

We live in the information age and some of that information is misinformation disseminated as truth. It’s vital that we separate the two. Having said that, I do love a good conspiracy theory now and then.

Is there any project that you’re unveiling or wrapping up?

I have just presented a new artwork with Gallery MOMO at FNB Art Joburg this year, which I was quite excited and nervous about. I have not made an artwork quite like this one before, which explained my slight apprehension and anticipation. DM

Mick Raubenheimer is a freelance arts writer.

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.

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