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KENNETH KUPFER
Kenneth Kupfer is the kind of creative character that initially inspired AWEH — individuals that casually immerse their existence in creativity. A man made up of several artistic facets that he effortlessly integrates and projects in and around his lifestyle, Kenneth plays an active part in the Lawrence and Kansas City music scenes. Throughout he embraces the DIY aesthetic and philosophy in his endeavours, reminiscent of punk and skateboard culture.
Kenneth consistently contributes far more than just his musical talents to bands such as FAG COP, by fashioning music videos, album art and illustrations. His videos, collages of colors, animation and stock footage, are highly entertaining; a prime example being the music video for Saga of the Year 3000 (above) that he produced for his previous band, The Spread Eagles.
With an upcoming exhibition on November 25 at The Invisible Hand Gallery, AWEH caught up with Kenneth to get a glimpse of his world in all its creative glory.
Aweh: Welcome Kenneth! Would you mind introducing yourself for our readers out there?
Kenneth: I am Kenneth Kupfer. I was born in Indianapolis and I started skateboarding and going to punk shows there. I moved to Olathe, Kansas when I was 14. I went to college in Lawrence and lived there for a while after. Now I live in Kansas City. I am an illustrator and a musician. I used to play in this band The Spread Eagles that put out a couple of 45s and I currently play in FAG COP and EX-FAG COP. I also dabble in video and animation a bit.
Aweh: What does your average day consist of?
Kenneth: Drawing and listening to music mostly. I like to watch old movies — The Holy Mountain, Intrepidos Punks, and Return of the Living Dead are probably my favourites — when I’m not working on a freelance projects, painting or doing some band thing. I like to cruise around on my bike and hang out with my girlfriend. I read sometimes. Not as much as I should. I also cook a lot. Food is important.
Aweh: What’s the creative scene like in Lawrence?
Kenneth: Super laid back and bohemian. Everybody knows where the “pizza dumpsters” and “bagel dumpsters” are. The University there sort of creates this waste culture. There is an obsession with waste. Kids are always moving away at the end of every semester. So twice a year all these kids just throw away perfectly good TV’s, record players, clothes, bongs, furniture, anything you can think of. So when you live there you are in the habit of checking out dumpsters when you walk by them, to see if there is anything good. I knew a kid named Wake who found a Nintendo Wii in a dumpster, just cuz some college kid couldn’t take it back home on an airplane.
One time I was checking the dumpster behind this video/book store and I saw a kid lying in a pile of porno with his pants around his knees looking up at me like deer caught in headlights. He was covering his bathing suit area with a Swank Magazine. I didn’t say anything to my friend, Jamal, who was right behind me. I let him walk up and discover it for himself. He looked in the dumpster and then came up to me and said, “This is the most disturbing thing I have ever seen in my life.” I felt bad for the kid. I wonder why he didn’t just take them home. Kids are fucked up, but at least he was recycling.
The creative subculture scene is pretty small here. Most people do some sort of art and play in several bands. There is a handful of cool bars that have music, and a rotating cast of DIY spaces that come and go. It seems there is always at least one. There are also lots of places to have art shows at. The Invisible Hand Gallery and the Wonder Fair Gallery are my two personal faves. Lawrence is sort of like a mini-Austin, Texas.
Aweh: Where does your inspiration come from?
Kenneth: Blacking out. Fun times, and dark times. I look at lots of photography of parties and people dancing. I’m also interested in symbolism from the occult and Ancient cultures, that stuffs really interesting. I draw upon my own personal experiences as well. The first artists that really inspired me were Egon Shiele, Gustav Klimpt, and I was really influenced by Travis Millard’s work as a young illustrator. He went to college in Lawrence before I lived there, so he had murals and art up all over town. I used to worry that my art looked too much like his in my younger days. Since I was a kid I was always into drawing people and especially faces. Now I am trying to use lots of people to create abstract patterns.
Aweh: You have quite an extensive portfolio, with illustration, graphic design, video and animation. What do you feel most passionate about?
Kenneth: Illustration for sure — that has always been my passion. I hope to do more animation and video work but illustration has been my focus, even when I was in math class. Music would be up there too. We have tried to disband FAG COP several times, but sooner or later you get the itch.
Aweh: As a creative do you think a lack of definition in concept and medium aids your vision and final product?
Kenneth: No way. I gotta know how to approach what I’m doing. If I do a painting as opposed to a digital picture, I have a much different process that I will approach the project with. The concept however should be solid from the get go if it is an illustration. But if you are doing a painting you can sort of noodle around and discover your concept during the painting process. Illustrations have to read more quickly.
Aweh: Most of your work is based around the music industry. Why is this?
Kenneth: I’m just trying to combine my passions. Drawing a picture is cool, but drawing a picture on the front of a cool record is cooler. I have always had one foot in each pot. Also, being a musician, I rub elbows with other musicians that need art.
Aweh: What’s the music scene like where you currently reside?
Kenneth: In Kansas City it’s pretty cool; lots of DIY spaces and kids who are in five different bands. I like that concept. If everyone is in five bands then the scene is five times bigger. More cool shit to wish I had time to check out.
Aweh: Your videos are very entertaining; a collage of colors, archive footage, video and animation. How did you initially get involved with making videos?
Kenneth: I took some video and animation classes in art school. I was also playing in bands at the time so I decided to make some videos. After that people who liked them would ask me to make a video for their band. I don’t always do it though. It’s a heavy commitment if you don’t like the music.
Aweh: Are the Royal Family really reptiles?
Kenneth: OF COURSE! If you don’t believe me check out Secrets of the Matrix by David Icke. When I made that Spread Eagles video I was obsessed with “blowing peoples minds.” I wanted to pack as much shocking information into it as I possibly could. I think some of my friends were beginning to become concerned about my mental health. Now it’s just an accepted fact, they talk about that shit on TV now. That Ancient Aliens show is rad.
Aweh: Complete the following sentences…
America is…not as aware of the movie They Live as they should be.
Society is…Blinded by SOCIETY…maaan
FAG COP are…Putting out a new LP on Rank Toy Records and Bat Shit
Records and going on a European tour in February.
Spread Eagles will…Jam infinitely in an alternate universe.
AWEH is…Rockin’ the Grundle.
Aweh: What do you currently have on the go and what’s in the pipeline for the coming year?
Kenneth: I just finished doing art for the new FAG COP LP, Whimpers from the Pantheon, and a Mouthbreathers 7″ that just came out on In the Red Records, and let’s see, uhh…oh yeah 12″ LP for REPLAY Records. It’s a comp with lots of cool Lawrence and KC bands including FAG COP, Mouthbreathers, The Spook Lights, and many, many more. I have a show at The Invisible Hand Gallery that opens on November 25. My friend Joey Gantner from www.RadicalFortress.com and I have curated a book that features 10 comic artists including ourselves. It’s called Cosmic Cyst and should be out by Christmas.
Aweh: Thank you for your time. Any last words?
Kenneth: If anybody wants to contact me I am Kenneth Kupfer on Facebook and @Valueshock on twitter, or email me at kennethkupfer@gmail.com. Hit me up.
/// CHECK OUT MORE OF HIS WORK HERE ///
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Published by Ollie Walker
11 November 2011