FREDERIK MOLENSCHOT is a Dutch artist and designer and founder of Studio Molen. Known primarily for his monumental bronze lighting sculptures, Frederik describes himself as a landscape sculptor, drawing on the surroundings, whether industrial, urban, natural, or even cosmic. He has discovered new techniques and materials collaborating with talented professionals in the field of art, design and architecture. His work displays an incredible diversity that spans everything from ownable design pieces to massive site-specific public art sculptures.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND IN YOUR SPACE?
I think the number of books everywhere, stacks of books of artists, architects… Some are wrapped, some are unwrapped; I just love to collect them. Their content, the history of people, having their works in it– I think a book is a very intriguing object.
Oh, and my new chair behind my desk is not really a chair but a running machine, to get my health better. I taped my keyboard to it to not sit behind a desk anymore, typing emails, etc., but to do it walking! It’s a new experiment.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL WORKSPACE IN THREE WORDS…
Okay, that’s very easy: large, high ceilings, big windows… Tables on the wheels everywhere, wax, tools… And one of the most important things: music!
WHERE DID YOU FIND THE COURAGE TO FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH?
It was always something natural for me to work for myself, and I did it since I was little, since sitting down in my room making pieces, making drawings. It actually feels to me that hasn’t changed since then.
WHAT IS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PRACTICAL TIP YOU COULD IMPART TO A FELLOW CREATIVE?
The best advice that I’ve myself been given in the past few years is that you can work on projects and it’s always good to work autonomously and get things done, but you also need ambassadors for the work that you do. You need people that love what you do, that carry out your work to other people, that bring it into society, into their homes. Who can carry it around into the world. Who can help you to find the next ambassador! So, get your work out of the studio, anything you make, put it on Instagram, put it on the street, make sure people see it. That’s very important to me.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO CENTRE YOURSELF AND TO FIND FOCUS?
It’s mainly about being by myself, making sure that the space is empty, so I have the concentration to do what I should do. Nowadays, my kids are always running around, so sometimes I put on my headphones, play some music, or I can play one of my favorite movies on the background.
DOES THE SPACE YOU WORK IN HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY?
It used to be a cattle house; it’s a big warehouse constructed out of metal beams and bricks, and the beams are blue– my favorite color. It’s based in an old industrial site, which is over 200 years old, just a 15-minute bike ride from Amsterdam. And a cattle house is like a huge heating system, so it was bringing warmth towards other buildings through pipes! The pipe system is gone now and all the cattle, of course.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN THE SPACE?
My twins running around me– to be able to work and live in the same space and have my children around me! I really try to do everything in my power to get a life balance between kids, work, social life, and creating.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM PROJECT?
It actually just ended in Paris: my first solo show, at the Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery. It’s called Atlas 2000, and it was running until the end of September.
Where They’ is a visual documentation of the creative environments of artist & people, that meet during my travels, of homes and studios.
Subscribe to my email newsletter full of inspiring stories about my journey that continues.