Dreaming Demons (Cherish your demons while you can.)
Leffe Goldstein’s ‘Dreaming Demons’ present an alternative future. The drawings depict a black and white vision of an absurd world without humans; a world where only their demons have survived.
Intrigued by places that were once full of life and loved by their inhabitants and builders, Leffe’s drawings are based on real, existing places or objects. Architecture, pieces of machinery, planes, helicopters and vehicles that were left to decay; objects that were invented and served a purpose, built with the hands of real people. In Leffe’s universe, these people are no longer there and long forgotten. But take a good look and you can see their demons are still thriving, breeding an alternative future world.
“Most people see demons as their wildest fears while others seem to enjoy them but the lucky ones have both.”
Leffe Goldstein always starts sketching with pencil but the finished black and white works are drawn digitally. He uses the sketch as an under-layer and works endlessly on details to bring the demons to life. When finished the drawings are printed as a silkscreen print, or a Giclée.
ST: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Quiet honestly I wanted to be a firefighter but soon after that I wanted to be Dali.
What’s your background?
I studied graphic design and photography and was a graphic designer for 20 years.
What piece are you most proud of? and why?
I love the Bomber House from the last series it was an eyeopener for me to give these planes a new purpose. Same for the Sikorsky house.
Who is the one person, dead or alive, that you would like to have dinner with and why?
That would be David Lynch and share a Cherry Pie, Great director and artist. I love all his work it’s insane.
Where is your favorite place?
My Favorite place is a small island from Japan called Ishigigaki Jima 250 miles from Taiwan. It’s hot and humid but fantastic place for snorkeling and the people are so nice.
Who are your biggest influences?
Ouch that’s difficult but M.C. Escher, HR Giger, USUGROW Japanese artist, but also movies like Blade Runner. And my father who was an architect.
Which current art world trends are you following?
I follow a lot LOWBROW artists but also a lot of Pop-surreal Artists. Too many to mention.
What can’t you live without?
My morning walk, spotting dear.
What is your dream project?
This is my dream project.
What’s your favorite artwork?
It’s a work of USUGROW I bought in Tokyo at his exhibition at the Diesel Gallery a great skull in Black and white amazing details. It’s hanging ever since above the cough.
What is currently on your playlist?
Death in Vegas, Tool and Amon Tobin.
What gives you life?
Great art and Music, always.
If you could visit any artist’s studio, whose would you visit and why?
That would be HR Giger’s place that is so dark it makes you smile
What was the last thing you bought?
The latest Twin Peaks series on DVD, yeah I am way beyond 🙂
What ideas are you currently pondering or questioning?
I am working on more Demons Works and learning 3d modeling, still a lot to learn.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be, and why?
That would be again Ivo Schoof, an incredible kinetic and light artist from the Netherlands. He is just the smartest kid in the world never met someone with that kind of energy.
An exhibition of Dreaming Demons will take place from 7th of May until the 21st of June 2023. Location dB’s Utrecht, The Netherlands. Learn more at dreamingdemons.com
