Through Our Eyes

Robert Knight, interviewed by Teen Docent Renee Saleh.

RS: Robert, you said that you get volunteers for your photographs, how did you get volunteers to work with you?

RK: I asked them as a favor. HEY! Can I do something crazy like take pictures while you sleep?! Then after I take the pictures, I show them. I did this…see? It is not totally crazy and looks interesting, so that allows me to get access to more people. I also put out cards with my number and a picture and put them in mailboxes in my son’s class. Flyers were also a good way to get the word across: I won’t show your face!

RS: You do a lot of work with outside noises, have you ever tried to use a microphone inside the house?

RK: I never actually tried that. Part of the reason is because I think that would be intrusive to someone’s sleep. But with the outside microphones I sometimes capture interior sounds such as the TV or bits of conversation.

RS: Did you know you were going to be an artist when you were young?

RK: I studied Architecture. The only time I used a camera was to document my work/building sites. I had never been in a dark room until I entered college. I took some classes in photography. The reason I did this was because I missed the creative side of architecture. Photography got me out of the world of finance and back to the creative side of the art world. But it took a long time before I realized I could make something wonderful out of photography.

RS: Do you think your work as an architectural style to it?

RK: Yes! I do photograph a lot of houses so that encompasses architecture and home décor. I also work commercially so I do photograph other architects’ works. I am obsessed with houses, so I love to photograph them in some way whether it’s inside or out. It’s an interest, obviously.

RS: Would you ever go back to architecture?

RK: Ummm. No. It’s important to realize: if you want to be good at something you have to do it for a long time. Malcolm Gladwell, the author of a book called the Tipping Point (2000), talks about if you want to get good at something you have to do it for 10,000 hours. So if you think about that, if you want to change careers you have to do it early to get good at it. Most people aren’t natural/amazing artists, you need to practice! Great artists, great musicians, or great actors, they all have spent those 10,000hours. I love what I’m doing and even though architecture is an interest I don’t think I would go back. I like working by myself not for someone else; your own boss. The great thing about being an artist is you can do anything you think of it’s just a matter of having an audience and a market.

RS: Do you think you raised your kids in a very artistic environment?

RK: Yea, as an artist you learn to really see things; you have a heighted sense of sight. I think I raised my son to see things clearly as an artist, and that might give him an advantage. I already see I am teaching him to look at things like a photographer. However, I am not pushing him to be an artist but I think what your parents teach you are what affect you.

RS: Do your kids influence your art?

RK: Absolutely! Having kids was a life experience that changed me and my artwork.

RS: Do they get to see your artwork a lot?

RK: Yea! They like to see my pictures because they don’t remember me taking them.

RS: Do you always have a camera with you?

RK: No, I usually only carry around my camera phone. I use it almost like a sketch book, I will take a picture of something, if I like it I will go back with my 4by 4 and take a nice picture with that instead.

RS: Do you have a favorite piece in the gallery now?

RK: Well usually it changes. I like them all! I tried to be much harsher with this edit (gallery) because I didn’t want to regret any pieces I put up there. I still really like Untitled (4hours, 15minutes, June 16, 2007) (picture of his son and beginning of interest with sleep).

Untitled (4 hours, 15 minutes, June 16, 2007)

Courtesy of the artist and Gallery Kayafas

RS: Do you show/let your student’s critic your work?

RK: YEA. I show them and encourage them to critic it. I think it’s important that they know I am a real artist. Most of my students though don’t critic.

RS: Do you think they are afraid their grades will be on the line if they do?

RK: Actually no, if they say something their grade would go up! But they don’t know that.

RS: What advice do you have for new artists?

RK: Practice! Be passionate! And find a good mentor!