Aaron Kuffner

Aaron Taylor Kuffner (born 1975, New York City)[1] is an American conceptual artist living and working in New York.

Aaron Kuffner
Born
New York City
NationalityAmerican
Notable work
Gamelatron
MovementConceptual Art
Websitehttp://aarontaylorkuffner.com

Early life and education

Kuffner was born and raised in New York City.[1] He attended Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, New York[2] and briefly studied visual and performing arts at Syracuse University before dropping out and relocating to Brooklyn in 1996. [3]

Kuffner is a trained painter and metal sculptor, a former street artist, theatre director, international DJ and music producer.[4] Kuffner studied at the Institut Seni Inodenesia Yogyakarta, where he studied Karawitan and Ethnomusicology.[5] While living in Indonesia he learned to play the Indonesian instrument, Gamelan, which would prove instrumental to his future work.[6]

Work

Kuffner is known for using sculpture, electronic music, installation, and engineering in his art.[7]

In 2008 Kuffner completed the Gamelatron, which "uses technology, sound, sculpture, and engineering to create a visceral experience based on acoustic resonance and robotic technology."[8]

The Gamelatron is made with the ancient Indonesian bronze gongs, Gamelan, that Kuffner has retrofitted with mechanical mallets and is controlled by micro-processors in each instrument.[9]

Kuffner work ties the old with the new, combining ancient instruments with new technology to create a previously unheard auditory experience.[10]

"I see technology in a greater sense - not just digital technology, but anything from smelting bronze to machining metals - as something that humans always incorporate into our lives and in turns contributes to shaping our culture," said Kuffner. "Art has always been made from the tools and resources available to the artist. In this moment in history these are the tools that are available to me - so that is what I use."[8]

Kuffner's work has primarily resided in the underground art scene with installation appearing in features for The New York Times and other publications.[11] More recently his work has begun to reach a wider audience with the growth of the festival Burning Man.[12] Notably with the Gamelatron featured in the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution for their show, "No Spectators: The Art of Burningman".[13]

Exhibitions

Kuffner's installations have been exhibited by the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.,[14] Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California (2017);[15] the Drawing Center, New York (2016);[16] 56th Venice Biennale at the Palazzo Grimani Museum Venice (2015);[17] The Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. (2013);[18] and The Clocktower Gallery, New York (2012).

References
  1. "Aaron Taylor Kuffner: Gamelatron Sanctuary - Hammer Museum". The Hammer Museum. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  2. Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School (1993). Orbit 1993. State College, PA: Jostens.
  3. Gibbs, Sarah (September 26, 2018). "Community Spotlight: Aaron Kuffner on Parenthood and Art". mindrglobal.com. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  4. "GAMELATRON, SEBUAH EVOLUSI MUSIK TRADISIONAL - Kabari News". Kabari News (in Indonesian). 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  5. "Crossing- Collective" (PDF).
  6. Kuffner, Aaron Taylor. "The Gamelatron Robot Orchestra". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  7. "An Ancient Indonesian Music Tradition Gets an Electronic Update". Hyperallergic. 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  8. Kite-Powell, Jennifer. "Aaron Kuffner Turns Indonesian Gongs Into A Robotic Orchestra". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  9. ""No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man" - Aaron Taylor Kuffner". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  10. "GAMELATRON". Vice (in Spanish). 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  11. Haines, Gemma. "Drum roll for the first robotic gamelan orchestra". U.S. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  12. Smithsonian American Art Museum (2018-04-03), "No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man" - Aaron Taylor Kuffner, retrieved 2018-08-27
  13. "No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  14. ""No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man" - Aaron Taylor Kuffner". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
  15. "Gamelatron Performances - Hammer Museum". The Hammer Museum. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  16. "The Drawing Center | New York, NY | Exhibitions | Upcoming | Louise Despont: Energy Scaffolds and Information Architecture". www.drawingcenter.org. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  17. "Frontiers Reimagined: Art that Connects Us | Sundaram Tagore Gallery | Artsy". www.artsy.net. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  18. "Aaron Taylor Kuffner". The Chimney NYC. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
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