Nicole Killian - Artist Interview Series - Electric Objects

Nicole Killian

Richmond, Virginia

my5t1c m3d1t4t10nz explores our relationship with smartphones, considering how we transform them into altars for focus and imbue the machines with spiritual meaning”

— Alex, Electric Objects
Can we see a picture of your workspace and/or desktop?

Here's my desktop right now:

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Here is a corner of my studio, in an old school house classroom:

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Where are you typing this from?

The gateway of time and space:

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What do you watch/listen to while working?

Tunes: I slew dancey, poppy, synthy, and queer. Lately it's a combo platter of:

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What have you been working on lately?

I just got back from a residency in rural Finland where I worked on two new bodies of work. That's where the footage for this collection comes from.

I am working on a performance with Manon Loustaunau titled "Lesbian Excellence" that will consist of garments and projection. Also, Savannah Knoop and I are collaborating on a show that will be at CAVE in Detroit in August through September about queer style and gesture and connections. In the fall I'll have a solo show at SEDIMENT in Richmond VA that will be video installation.

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What work of yours are you most proud of?

I am probably most proud of ISSUES which I edit and design with my pal Sarah Faith Gottesdiener. It's a publication centered around a queer and feminist perspective of design, art and culture. So far we've put out 2 issues. Third will launch for the LA Art Book Fair. It's really an opportunity for us to showcase work by people we respect and feel should be seen and heard.

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What tools do you use in your work?

What I have available to me at the time of making it. Mostly laptop, wacom tablet, photoshop, illustrator, premiere, some weird iphone apps, my phone camera. Sticks, plastic boondoggle cord. Dollar store stuff. Stickers. Acrylic. Whatever makes sense.

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Can you tell us about your process?
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I like to make due with what is available to me and make with urgency — that's key. My process involves lots of folders of things. I archive everything and come back to those bits and pieces often. Most of the time I am not sure when I am working and not working. Everything is pretty fluid. I collect language.

Any last advice for the folks just starting out?
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Thanks for the interview,
Nicole