David Henrichs lives and works in London, Munich and Berlin. He studied Design, Theology, Art History and Interior Design in London, New York and Hamburg. The merging of art and design, and the relations between these two disciplines inspire David’s outlook and creations. Nature and landscape art in particular have influenced his work in a variety of ways, this is what he revealed in the following interview.
1. Who is David Henrichs outside the professional frame?
David: Happy to meet people from all countries, this is often a great chance to find out about their culture and creativeness. Lucky to have studied and to still live in London and badminton, rollerblading and Bayern Munich fan.
2. We’d like to have your say on the notion of merging art and design?
David: Vaguely recalling my ‘dissertation’ at Goldsmiths College, which looked into the relationship of art and design, and the role of the designer as a mediator between these disciplines, I currently feel more skeptical if art and design are continuing to merge. Maybe just in a few areas of playful and high end products – and sadly, there are fewer new artists trying to design.
3. How have nature and landscape an instrumental factor in influencing your work?
David: As a kid I watched this fantastic program about the landscape drawings by the Nasca people in the Peruvian desert… I guess in a way I am still just cutting plains using straight or curved lines. Bending or folding these models will sometimes create three-dimensional forms that could evolve into a lampshade.
4. What is the main thing that hovers around your mind when you are concretizing your conceptions, I mean is there any kind of motif running in your creations? If yes then what is it?
David: Entirely nothing. Only if my mind if devoid of any distraction or even thought, there may occasionally spring up a pursuable concept.
It therefore seems impossible for me to discover any motif in my work so far. Design can be based on research or on intuition – yet foremost design depends on luck.
5. What are the materials that you make use of in your creations?
David: Polymers have recently become the center of my materials and technology quest. Metals and birch-plywood have mainly been used in my projects before. Finding translucent and opaque sheets with the right properties to develop the prototypes is tough.
6. David, is there any project that has given you immense satisfaction?
David: All (of the few) projects have been derived from joy.
7. Any contemporaries, whom you want to outdo?
David: The only challenge is to design a little bit like nature, which will never be outdone.
8. Where do you see yourself, after, let’s say, five years down the line?
David: Luckily, I am not an oracle – which keeps me going.
9. Any parting words of wisdom?
David: Try to do something beautiful.
10. Finally, I’d like to have your views on Coolbuzz.org?
David: Very much worth checking out!
Thank you David in sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. I’d also like to wish you success for all your future endeavors.