Meet the Artist: Jakob Kaye
Wednesday 10th March, 2021
As part of our recent Crowdfunder campaign, we commissioned local artist Jakob Kaye to create an innovative and changing artwork that demonstrates the support of local groups, businesses and individuals for the Midsteeple Quarter project.
Jakob has created an isometric monolith which features buildings within the Midsteeple Project, and a starry sky - symbolising that the sky is the limit! Jakob's artwork incorporates the names of all the wonderful people and businesses that donated to our Crowdfunder over the course of 4 weeks.
The artwork is currently on display in The Smithy (113-115 High Street), so if you’re out and about on the High Street make sure you take a proper look - Jakob has designed this so that the viewer can see their own reflection within the Midsteeple Quarter.
We spoke with Jakob to find out more about his work as an artist and his inspiration behind the artwork. A huge thank you to Jakob for this incredible piece of work - we hope the people of Dumfries love it as much as we do!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work as an artist?
I am Icelandic Nationality with an upbringing in London. After school I went to Camberwell Art college for a Foundation in Art at Camberwell aRt College, London specialising in 3D / Sculpture. Due to the nature of my art-work involving kinetic movement and lighting it was advised that I continue my study within Engineering. I was a accepted onto an Engineering Foundation at Sussex University which I passed, however I then set up a studio business in 2002 (Antenna Studios Ltd) a South London; an arts and music facility which I established from a derelict building which is still successfully operational.
Before moving to D&G in 2013 I had completed a BSc degree in Engineering with Environmental Sciences specialising in bio-mimicry design for micro hydro turbine generation, aquatic chemistry and biodiversity.
In the time setting up Antenna Studios I also worked in a picture framing factory which also framed mirrors. The factory was re-located to Europe during my employment and much of the stock such as glass and mirrors were allocated for destruction due to risk of transporting. I was given permission to take damaged mirror stock which I kept in storage.
Once I had set up my own workshop/studio in Lewes, Sussex to develop various engineering concepts I started experimenting with mirrors as an art medium and had very positive feedback for the works I produced at the time, so I continued the work as an artistic and product design fashion as a hobby.
As the work and series have developed over the 20 years I have become more interested in the psychological, philosophical, and spiritual representational history of mirrors and their context in social development.
Currently I am working towards an ambitious series ‘the Soul Mirrors’ whereby I have brought together a collaboration of Scottish based partners towards a new concept for mirrors as a holistic therapeutic medium for people suffering from self-identity related issues such as trauma from emotional abuse, survivors of gaslighting as well as addressing issues around depression, eating disorders and self-identity.
What was your inspiration for the artwork on display in The Smithy? How did you go about making the artwork?
The artwork at the Smithy called ‘Isometric Monolith’ was intended to fulfil the criteria which the Midsteeple Quarter Project; to create an artwork which incorporated the buildings planned for development in a community-led approach. I submitted a design which would offer the observer / audience to see a reflection of themselves and surrounding architecture within a ‘blueprint’ style glowing design which incorporates the 8 buildings being included in the MSQ project.
Much of my inspiration in recent years has been taken from natural and sacred geometry, fibonacci sequences, and traditionally spiritual motifs so the guidelines of the Isometric monolith were a combination of an engineering drawing approach of drawing 3D shapes in 30degree angles but is also found in ancient symbols such as the ‘flower, seed, egg and fruit of life’ which represent wisdom.
There is a contemporary feel to the monolith approach which offers a sense of ‘root’ and also aims to give a sense of excitement about the future for the buildings and development project. The simplicity of the stand-alone monolith design was intended to focus predominantly on the glass with no additional distracting features or framework in order to give the mirror itself a prominent position. As mirrors were once an incredibly valuable and rare object in themselves, I like to remember the history and centuries of toil and experimentation it took to develop these full sized ‘looking glasses’.
The glass sides to the monolith also offer an opportunity for MSQ to adapt and change the printed material which is intended to list the funders, contributors and donors towards MSQ.
“Multi-use art spaces are excellent ways to to offer flexible spaces to a very wide range of groups and art mediums from dance practise to photography, live music to educational workshops, painters and printers to film-makers and everything in-between. Bringing together multi-disciplines always creates a ‘spark’ between creative practitioners and leads to more exciting approaches and opportunities to further more projects and groups.”
How important do you feel it is for High Streets and town centres to connect with local artists and creative initiatives?
Culture and arts are essential to give towns like Dumfries a sense of identity and excitement. The vision of the MSQ Project is perfect in my opinion to revive the town centre by becoming community-owned and led in it’s approach.
There is no doubt that the effects of setting up creative facilities with accommodation and multi-use facilities opens up opportunities to and attracts people of all ages to become involved, which strengthens the community both within the town and for the surrounding areas.
Currently high streets are suffering from the increase in online sales and some of the beautiful buildings planned for development by MSQ have sadly been neglected for years which has had a negative impact on nearby businesses as well.
Multi-use art spaces are excellent ways to to offer flexible spaces to a very wide range of groups and art mediums from dance practise to photography, live music to educational workshops, painters and printers to film-makers and everything in-between. Bringing together multi-disciplines always creates a ‘spark’ between creative practitioners and leads to more exciting approaches and opportunities to further more projects and groups.
I was extremely proud to have been chosen to produce the mirror for ‘The Smithy’ because I have not exhibited my work in the region before. My work has tended to fit into a more contemporary category for which I haven’t seen many opportunities since I moved to the Region in 2013. With Covid restrictions it is ideal to be able to show my artwork in a large window on the High Street.
As I work as a community development officer in a rural area with the Nith Valley Leaf Trust I am a big believer in community ownership and community-led projects, therefore I am extremely excited by the MSQ Project plans and vision. To be chosen to work with them on a sculpture which ‘brings light’ to the plans is really an honour for me.
For Dumfries & Galloway, the Region has always had a reputation for hosting a high percentage of artists and musicians. Although many people live rurally and enjoy the outstanding scenery it is known that isolation can have an effect on creative motivation. I believe the MSQ project can address the issue of isolation through its vision by hosting an exciting range of facilities, showcasing events and residential units to boost the vibrancy of the arts community and brighten up the town centre with a positive ethos. The increase in footfall would also benefit all the business in the Town centre which I am sure would be welcomed by everybody in Dumfries.
If you want to keep up to date with Jakob’s work, you can head to his website and social media pages listed below:
Instagram: @jakob_mirrorglow
Twitter: @spaceshipman
Website: jakobkaye.com