Boris Kishinevsky – Artist Statement

 

My first artistic inspirations came from math. In my mind, mathematics is almost holy, a beautifully intricate web, where pure ideas can connect in genuinely euphoric ways. It’s a social construct, existing only in the minds of those who understand it. But the craftsmanship of mathematics is unrivaled. Every idea is rigorous, it can be demonstrably constructed out of a few bedrock axioms. And math seems fundamentally real and true. No matter who or where you are in the universe, when you draw a circle, π will inevitably pop up 

As a sculptor, I am drawn to the mathematical forms found in Geometry and Topology, such as the platonic solids (the “basic building blocks” of three dimensional space), and repetitive/self-similar objects (fractals come to mind first). I am fascinated by how these forms seem natural and organic, despite coming from the platonic realm of mathematics. While much of math is inspired by natural observation, it exists in a realm separate from the physical. By creating forms which mimic nature, I create visual evidence of the deep connections between reality and math

 I have no preferred sculptural medium, fabricating with wood and metal, casting in bronze (and occasionally chocolate), as well as incorporating found objects and electronic media. And as a digital artist, I often find that code allows me to express myself with mathematics, creating generative art that mathematically combines sound and color.  

My other source of artistic inspiration comes from the world of contemporary percussion music. Unlike other classical instruments, classical percussion is an inherently modern practice, less than a hundred years old. And while most musicians only need to learn a single instrument (or a small handful of related instruments), percussionists must be generalists; our instruments include anything that makes a sound when you hit it. In my art practice, I combine sculpture and percussion by creating sonic sculptures; pieces which are simultaneously sculptures and musical instruments. These pieces are interactive, and are often coupled with musical performances.