Applied Kinetic Arts: Benjamin Cowden interview

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Applied Kinetic Arts (A.K.A.) is an artist collective made up of kinetic artists who each bring their own unique aesthetic and skill set to the crew. From their site, “Works incorporating motion, light, sound, and interactivity are represented by the group’s ever expanding member base.” A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed co-founder Nemo Gould as well as Jeremy Mayer . This week we catch up with Benjamin Cowden, who has contributed to the pages of MAKE magazine with his Geared Candleholder project in Volume 21. Through the project, Benjamin teaches us how to make our own gears out of metal plate, a skill he has beautifully mastered, as witnessed through his thought-provoking art.

1. Tell us about yourself. How did you get started making things and who are your inspirations?
In high school I was carving wooden figurines and sewing moccasins out of deer hide. I was committed to utility as well as a high standard of craftsmanship. In college I went abroad and studied traditional crafts in Cameroon, including basketry and knife-making, then I learned jewelry-making in San Jose, Costa Rica. I was always so impressed with people who take raw materials and, with minimal tooling, create simple, elegant items.