Adi Sened

Adi Sened

By Arden de Raaij

Last year, C215 told us about Adi Sened, aka Kufsened from Tel Aviv, Israel. Adi Sened creates Kufsonim: Small, (self) expressive geometrical figures which roam the streets of Tel Aviv. Next to these, he also practices sculpturing and uses all kinds of other media like bottle caps to make his art. His work speaks to us, so it was about time we’d speak to him. Here’s the interview with Adi Sened

“Sometimes I’m acting like an old architect, sometimes like a young vandal.”

Adi Sened
Adi Sened

What can you tell us about “Kufsonim” and how did you develop your characters?

‘Kufsonim’ came to the world in a long process. In 1997, while I was studying for my first degree in architecture, I drew envelopes with a single line in my sketchbook. I deformed the envelopes into chaotic cubes and finally I tuned them into an abstract form of cubes which became the first Kufson’ (without eyeballs in the first year).

Is there a specific reason for stenciling your characters instead of drawing them for example?

I used to print a lot, and the Kufsonim ended in some of my prints (wood cuts and other techniques). In 2000 I started doing stencils to the urban environment, usually couples of Kufsonim -male and female – they resemble my feelings and attitude to say and give to society. And to express my thoughts and feelings.

I like prints ,I think that in this form you specify your say, and gives a nice line to public areas’. (in the last years I also did a free hand abstract written-stitches ‘cut-offs ‘and spacious forms.

Adi Sened
Adi Sened

You also make sculptures which are quite different from your geometrical characters, what can you tell us about that?

My sculptures are completing my Kufsonim -in form and by looking in- instead of showing of.

Adi Sened
Adi Sened

You work with many techniques and mediums (bottle caps, spray cans, sculptures, etc). Are there any mediums you still would like to try?

I just put a kufsonim animation on Youtube. It’s blocked in some countries because of copyrights to Amy Whinehouse. You can see it on flickr though.

I don’t do my homework well, my house is in a mess because it’s also my studio. I hope things will get better. I need to sell works, and I need to be happier.

Adi Sened
Adi Sened

How does your architecture study, and your current urban design study influence your work?

Well what can I say, my study of architecture must have influence my work, Maybe in the way that I take care of a lot of small details, trying to be gentle and poetic, and on the other hand try to see the big picture ,working all around as far as I can.

How does the life of an artist look like in Tel Aviv?

Well I live on a big roof top in Tel Aviv. When I work on my sculptures I stay at home and go out only if I need to. The atmosphere in the streets is nice, a lot of young writers taking part of bombing the city, allowing me to reflect with my spichel lines.

Adi Sened
Adi Sened

There are also quite a few others doing their works on the street of Tel Aviv, do you feel part of a street art scene over there?

The scene is very small and as you know with a lot of ego. I’m a bit of an outsider, but I like the young spirit. Sometimes I’m acting like an old architect, sometimes like a young vandal.

Do you have any plans for 2010 you can tell us?

I now study second degree in Urban design in the Bezalel Academy. I hope to find my perfect soul mate to build a family. And I hope to make a living out of creation and eduacting others. To be a good human being and contribute.

Any other thoughts you’d like to share?

Holistic approach towards the surrounding. being gentle and brut. ‘ a global key for understanding, and communicating. Love and peace, Humor and Honesty. Personal.

Adi Sened
Adi Sened
Adi Sened
Adi Sened