Ryan Bock specializes in painting, drawing, puppetry, animation and experimental film methods. Bock’s practice is rooted in a need for narrative structure. Residing somewhere between mythology and nightmare, Bock depicts mise-en-scène riddled with symbology and allusions both cinematic and painterly. Maintaining a fascination for shape, shade, shadow, structure and optical illusion, Bock deconstructs his subject matter into often barely-recognizable delineations and structurally unsound repetitive patterns. In an attempt to confront the contemporary individual’s relationship to mortality, fear and superstition, Bock depicts correlations between the human figure and its innovations: technology, architecture and religion—both historically and fictitiously. By consistently contrasting historical subjects with those of the present, and using the recurring patterns found to generate predictions about our future—a process he refers to as ‘dusty futurism’—Bock propels his audience to reconsider the routine human experience and discloses the illusions implemented to keep them from questioning. Commissions and/or collaborations welcome.
“Snakes and Ladders” Sculpture, Photographed by Roman Dean
Name :
Ryan Bock aka Bockhaus
Birthplace :
Planet earth. America (for better or worse)
Place of residence :
New York City
Métier :
Interdisciplinary artist. Painter. Experimental filmmaker and animator.
“Initiation” Sculpture, Photographed by Roman Dean
Sources of inspiration :
History, German expressionism, Italian Futurism, Cezch Cubism, Dadaism, Film Noir, Horror films, films in general.
Sources of motivation :
My impending and imminent death.
What makes you happy :
Efficiency, shapes, garage sales, antiques, trash, dusty stuff, puppets, basements, whisky, chocolate, critical thinking skills and seeing my creative peers succeeding and thriving.
“Pulling Down the Monument”
Favorite reads :
Unashamedly, I read almost exclusively sci-fi. Anything by Philip K. Dick but particularly Valis. Dune, The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, anything H. G. Wells. I just read Psychomagic: The Transformative Power of Shamanic Psychotherapy by Alejandro Jodorowsky, which quite possibly saved my life. Would highly recommend it for anyone but particularly artists suffering from creative blockage.
Favorite tunes :
Ooooo, I love to listen and support the musicians I know and love. Some of my favorites: 22, Nas Leber,Salomon Faye, Vader the Villin, Julian Soto, Duendita, Nick Hakim, Gabriel Garzon Montano, Elliot Skinner, Elbows, Jimmy Whoo, etc.
Favorite foods :
I have a pretty utilitarian relationship to food, but not as utilitarian as some people I know. Bagels.
Bockhaus by Kat Alvarez
Beauty tips :
Wear something that will completely cover that face up.
Favorite ways to unwind :
I’m still trying to figure out how to unwind. Let me know if you have any tips for me.
Favorite part of living in place of residence :
Being overstimulated with chaos 24/7. Extreme diversity. Exposure to new experiences.
What gets you in a working flow :
Music and Marijuana.
What are you working on now :
Currently in production for my solo exhibition ‘I’m Not Funded by the CIA’ opening in May at Ki Smith Gallery!
Favorite motto / quote :
Right now: “I never wish to be easily defined. I’d rather float over other people’s minds as something strictly fluid and non-perceivable; more like a transparent, paradoxically iridescent creature rather than an actual person.” -Franz Kafka
Portrait of Bockhaus by Kat Alvarez
Ryan Bock specializes in painting, drawing, puppetry, animation and experimental film methods. Bock’s practice is rooted in a need for narrative structure. Residing somewhere between mythology and nightmare, Bock depicts mise-en-scène riddled with symbology and allusions both cinematic and painterly. Maintaining a fascination for shape, shade, shadow, structure and optical illusion, Bock deconstructs his subject matter into often barely-recognizable delineations and structurally unsound repetitive patterns. In an attempt to confront the contemporary individual’s relationship to mortality, fear and superstition, Bock depicts correlations between the human figure and its innovations: technology, architecture and religion—both historically and fictitiously. By consistently contrasting historical subjects with those of the present, and using the recurring patterns found to generate predictions about our future—a process he refers to as ‘dusty futurism’—Bock propels his audience to reconsider the routine human experience and discloses the illusions implemented to keep them from questioning. Commissions and/or collaborations welcome.
“Snakes and Ladders” Sculpture, Photographed by Roman Dean
Name :
Ryan Bock aka Bockhaus
Birthplace :
Planet earth. America (for better or worse)
Place of residence :
New York City
Métier :
Interdisciplinary artist. Painter. Experimental filmmaker and animator.
“Initiation” Sculpture, Photographed by Roman Dean
Sources of inspiration :
History, German expressionism, Italian Futurism, Cezch Cubism, Dadaism, Film Noir, Horror films, films in general.
Sources of motivation :
My impending and imminent death.
What makes you happy :
Efficiency, shapes, garage sales, antiques, trash, dusty stuff, puppets, basements, whisky, chocolate, critical thinking skills and seeing my creative peers succeeding and thriving.
“Pulling Down the Monument”
Favorite reads :
Unashamedly, I read almost exclusively sci-fi. Anything by Philip K. Dick but particularly Valis. Dune, The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, anything H. G. Wells. I just read Psychomagic: The Transformative Power of Shamanic Psychotherapy by Alejandro Jodorowsky, which quite possibly saved my life. Would highly recommend it for anyone but particularly artists suffering from creative blockage.
Favorite tunes :
Ooooo, I love to listen and support the musicians I know and love. Some of my favorites: 22, Nas Leber, Salomon Faye, Vader the Villin, Julian Soto, Duendita, Nick Hakim, Gabriel Garzon Montano, Elliot Skinner, Elbows, Jimmy Whoo, etc.
Favorite foods :
I have a pretty utilitarian relationship to food, but not as utilitarian as some people I know. Bagels.
Bockhaus by Kat Alvarez
Beauty tips :
Wear something that will completely cover that face up.
Favorite ways to unwind :
I’m still trying to figure out how to unwind. Let me know if you have any tips for me.
Favorite part of living in place of residence :
Being overstimulated with chaos 24/7. Extreme diversity. Exposure to new experiences.
What gets you in a working flow :
Music and Marijuana.
What are you working on now :
Currently in production for my solo exhibition ‘I’m Not Funded by the CIA’ opening in May at Ki Smith Gallery!
Favorite motto / quote :
Right now: “I never wish to be easily defined. I’d rather float over other people’s minds as something strictly fluid and non-perceivable; more like a transparent, paradoxically iridescent creature rather than an actual person.” -Franz Kafka
Website: bock.haus
Instagram: @bockhaus
Credits
Roman Dean @rophotoman (photographer)
Kat Alvarez @kattyalvs (photographer)