This may be old news but I just ran across a transcript of an extensive interview with James Krenov that was conducted last year by someone from the Smithsonian. Fascinating and well worth reading even though its long. Here’s the link–
http://www.aaa.si.edu/oralhist/krenov04.htm
Replies
Thanks-what a strange fellow. I am wandering if the New Zealand experience destranged him or estranged him....
Any body else tired of the attempt to elevate Krenov to mythical status? I wish more attention would be paid to the unnamed woodworkers who actually make their living working wood, rather then some old hippie who can apparently only make one style. John and Thomas Seymour were far more interesting. Those guys at the Society of Period Furniture (?) are phenomenal. Lets quit wasting ink on the wannabes, and learn from some true masters.
OK fine I don't like Krenov, and thank God I don't have to.
Steve
Hi Steve ,
I know what you mean about the unnamed woodworkers and craftsmen that actually make a living and support a family from what we earn with much blood sweat and tears .
But ,,,,,, how many books have we written ? have we run our own schools and done seminars and work shops and been asked to be a speaker and such ???
I respect Mr. Krenov and his style and methods . The gentleman is a huge success and accomplished Master of his craft .
Whether you or I like his work or him does not negate the reality of both . I can use knowledge gained from any Master craftsman to apply in my works and thinking .
free advise to a 30 something year old woodworker :
" be willing to learn something new every day "
dusty
DP,
Thanks for that link, really enjoyed the read.
Thanks for opportunity to read the interview. Confidence and age seem to produce to an interesting perspective on one's life and craft.
I was a bit put off by some of the comments in the interview.
He's about as bland and uninteresting as his cabinets. I'm surprised the interviewer didn't get up and kick his #### for being such a snot.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Well Said, hammer. I stopped reading that interview at the his second sentence "Well if you read my book..."
What an egotist! I have never liked the man's lofty poetic flair describing his work.
This is why the communists first attacked academics and artists.
Edited 9/13/2005 11:14 am ET by jackplane
That's quite an interview. I guess it's revealing about his personality, although we don't know the circumstances in which it was conducted. Maybe there's a background explanation to the curmudgeon-like behavior. I have read many other accounts of people interacting with him, without any mention of his being that abrasive. Maybe a recent change?
Two people who's dedication to their art/craft and who's craftsmanship I have greatly admired are Krenov and Ansel Adams. Adams was probably more respected and influential in photography than Krenov in woodworking. I met Ansel many years ago. He was warm, personable, gracious. Quite a contrast in personalities.
Rich
You're right about the craftsmanship issue. I've seen a lot of woodworking and I'd have to say nothing comes close to the work of JK and his students. The level, intensity and breadth of the work is quite an achievement. Not the easiest guy to get along with but his work speaks for itself.
Interesting interview...although he is clearly eccentric; but that's not that unusual with visionaries which I think he is. I was never much of a fan of his work as it always struck me as "artsy" which is interesting as he clearly does not think of it as such.
Browsing through the site (http://www.aaa.si.edu/oralhist/oralhist.htm), it appears that the Smithsonian also did an oral history with Tage Frid. It has an asterisk next it, indicating that the interview hasn't been transcribed. Hopefully, they'll get to that one some day soon. I, for one, would enjoy reading it. Better yet, maybe they'll post the audio some day.
I had never heard of Mr Krenov until I visited this forum (sorry). I DVR Woodworks a lot and one night he interviewed Mr Krenov and I found him very interesting. I will check out the link, thanks.
I don't believe it's a question of liking or disliking these various personalities. We should be looking at what they can teach us,and their different styles and work methods. I found Krenov's books useful and also entertaining-unlike that interview-maybe the interviewer was getting up his nose. If you take Frid, Maloof and Krenov you could not get three more differnt people, and it is amusing to see that T. Frid was not a fan of Krenov, and I could venture a guess why.
He can't be that bad-or the cat would not always be around him!
Edited 9/14/2005 4:12 am ET by philip
DP. Thanks for sharing that. It was interesting to find out a little more about him, and his view of of the history of furniture over his life-span. I can understand some of his bitterness, and have to agree some of those insights. It is a shame that he didn't learn to capitalize off of his recognition, which is a common plight of creative people.
I don't understand why he has such low regard for the Furniture Society. It doesn't sound like he ever participated in it even though they gave him an award of recognition. He seems to have misinterpreted the award. It seems to me that it was just a symbol that his peers were giving him applause for having persevering and for having a guiding influence on a lot of developing woodworkers that before finding his work had no idea or understanding of the concept of "Less is More" sometime.
At the time his work appeared on the scene here in the USA, our influences were not the same as today. There were a few makers around trying new things to find a new direction. But nobody was teaching restraint the way JK did.
I think his work has a quiet seductive quality that would be very easy to live with,
My hat is off to him. thanks KN
which is a common plight of creative people..It is a shame that he didn't learn to capitalize off of his recognition...Many of my friends and family tell ME that..Hell, all I wanted is to do 'My Thing' without botherin' anybody...Some of the post and sort up upset by his remarks... I say.. Let ANYBODY say what they want to.. I don't mind at all..I have the option of not paying attention to a thing said or just take in part or all of it..Hay not preachin'' Yell, just a tad...By the way. I have been in New Zealand several times in my travels. Like any place.. Most of the folks you meet are GREAT!
Jeez! Whatever you may think of JK, the interviewer was pitiful! I was peeved at him before the first scroll-down.
I like JK's work. Actually, I spoke to him on the phone the other day and he wasn't anything but nice and cordial. He's selling some of his planes and I was fortunate enough to purchase 2 of his old round bottom planes. They truely make music.
Regards,
Sean
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