Pictures: © Jonas Klock
“We are all hungry and thirsty for concrete images. Abstract art will have been good for one thing: to restore its exact virginity to figurative art” – says Salvador Dali while expressing the art and concrete connection. Travelling from surrealistic mind of Spanish artist Dali to Berliner interior designer Jonas Klock blinds the mind somewhere in between the art, architecture and design. The concrete interior design artist does not copy even his own projects but works with an imagination, which brings the wings of creativity to the process of production of the unique concrete objects for an each occasion. “Better the mold is, better the products come” – says Accidental Concrete founder who chooses classical and minimalistic design rather than extremely crazy XXI century 3D printing opportunities. Smart and surprising ideas how to manufacture the materials and combine the details drives him further to the space where the artistic spirit takes the simplicity, choice of materials, haptics and ideation for granted. “You need to see that somebody puts a lot of love, thoughts and accidental decisions” – Jonas Klock believes and shakes a hand warmly.
You lived in Amsterdam, later in Rotterdam before making a decision to settle down – at least for a time being – in Berlin. What is it about this city or circumstances in particular that made you want to stay?
I was born in Berlin, but after finishing the studies I went to Amsterdam to work with my former professor. Later on I moved to Rotterdam to work in a pretty big architecture office where I had done my internship before. It was like the dream’s realization: while I was an intern, the idea of coming back has twisted around all the time. During the time I was in Rotterdam, I started to work with the small-scale items like the lamps and similar objects. At that time, it was just for my personal environment – decorations for my balcony and home, so I would rather call it like an experiment. Actually, I fulfilled the gap – which occurred while working as an architect – doing something with my hands, more physical like hand-craft. I felt like being stuck in front of the screen many hours per day in the offices. When I got back to Berlin, it was a very diverse period: sinking in a sea of different projects and deadlines in one Danish architecture office and creating the upcoming concepts in my head. I got a feeling I did not have time for myself anymore and it is not what I was searching in life. So I totally put my computer away and started releasing my ideas into the real objects while experimenting in my dad’s studio. What is interesting, I did not have a step in between: I was tired of designing 3D objects, so more concentrated on working with the materials and surfaces, which brought me down to Accidental Concrete concept. Even though the plan of starting my own business did not occur in my mind at that moment, I knew that I wanted to do something that is related with creating the things by my imagination, dreams, knowledge and hands.
Tell me about your background in architecture. At the moment you are combining architecture and design. How did you find a way to this connection?
I studied architecture at Berlin Art University, which is pretty open towards experimenting with materials. For example, in model building. This university has a significant attitude about how the students should approach the project: the students are encouraged to look at the different concepts, the visualization of the ideas, find the extraordinary connection between explanation and realization of the model and project. It gave me an implement to experiment more and more with controversial materials. That’s how I came up with an idea of Accidental Concrete as my graduation project was a part of this idea.
How would you describe the concept behind Accidental Concrete to those who have never seen it?
Visuals talk better than words. What I always do is presenting the idea to the customers and then going to the realization level. Not everybody is ready for the concrete. Somebody thinks it is too rough and somebody counts the weight. I would highlight that the objects I design are unique, made by my own ideas, thoughts and hands, brought directly to the space in absolutely original way without copying even my own products designed before.
What has surprised you the most about working with raw materials so far? Do you have a favorite material to work with?
I have worked with a lot different materials so far. What I have discovered about concrete, it is a very dirty material, but at the same time raw and rough. These qualities get me more and more into it. Working with concrete is closely related with making an influence for the haptic of the surfaces while using the different materials for the cast. Finally, you get unpredictable outcome: every piece is different even if the consistence, ingredients and processes are the same. It is learning by doing as well: the more failures come, the more experience I get. Basically, what I always say is that it is all about the mold: the better you build the mold, the better the object finally gets. But there are some unexpected things each time which brings the meaning to Accidental Concrete. It is full of positive surprises, uniqueness and puzzlements.
What’s your favorite place in Berlin?
There are so many places I love in Berlin, but for this time I would highlight the one where my studio is. More or less 200 artists work in this artistic collective which is made up from two complexes connected by the bridge. It is a bit off as nobody gets there without an exact purpose. This place is magical!
Finish the sentence: design is not just what it looks like and feels like, design …
Has to feel good. You need to see something and be impressed, so it counts both form and function even though it is so subjective.
