Two people with two distinct sense of aesthetics, backgrounds, agendas, and visions coming together to create a single piece sounds intriguing when one hears about it. Similar is the case with Ron Miller. Being an artist duo has its own perks and excitement.
Ron Miller is a Berlin-based artist duo formed by Ronny Kindt and Marcus Klüh, both self-taught artists. Their main focus is on creating original 2D & 3D works inspired by urban and conceptual art, with references to pop art and culture. Ronny and Marcus operate together as two complete opposites that complement and enrich each other. Their art benefits as a result of an extra pair of eyes, hands, and hearts, furthering their collective vision, enhancing their storytelling, deepening their understanding and ability to move and inspire.
Q. What is the story behind your friendship and how did you come up with the name ‘Ron Miller’?
A. We know each other since daycare because our mothers were friends and used to spend a lot of time together. As a result, our friendship not only survived but thrived through all the stages of life: including growing up, going to school, and becoming professionals in our chosen fields, settling down, and becoming parents. A decision to start making art together was a very natural continuation of our life-long friendship and has brought it to the next level in the process. The name Ron Miller includes both of our names: RON for Ronny and MILLER for Marcus. A fictional ‘stage’ name was created to have the liberty of immersing ourselves fully into our art.
Q. Two artists, one canvas is generally unheard of. What made you decide to create art together as a duo and how do you go about it?
A. Having duos or trios may not be very common in the more ‘traditional’ art world environment, but it is normal to have them. Our work process is such that one of us starts a work, and the other comes and works on top of that. Depending on our time, energy levels, and other professional and family-related commitments the work is done taking turns. There is a creative flow in which both of us know what to do, without even communicating with each other.
Q. What was the whole idea behind ‘The Trip’ series?
A. ‘The Trip’ series was born out of our longing to travel and discover the world, while not being able to do so physically. We both have families, work, and other commitments that prevent us from just picking up a backpack and going on some trip for an indefinite amount of time. The series has this universal message rooted in a deeply personal experience. It seems to us that a lot of people might be relating to our feelings and thoughts, especially now in the times of the covid-19 pandemic where travel for leisure is not happening.
Q. Mechanical Installations is an innovative and unique idea. How did you come up with the concept?
A. The Mechanical work was created for an art fair (ARTMUC) where the main goal was to present our works in a more fun and interactive way, appealing to the general audience. Our aim was to bring in people and make them engage with artworks in the most physical way possible, instead of just passively observing.
Q. Please tell us a bit about an artwork of yours that you are immensely proud of?
A. Well, the creational process is such that it ‘gives birth’ to projects that have their meaning and importance, in any of the given points in time. For a parent, all the children are beloved and have equal merit in the eyes of the parents. In that sense, there isn’t any specific series or paintings that we feel specifically strongly about, which reflect on our way of perceiving our work and the value behind it.
Q. What are the best resources that have helped you in your way?
A. Being self-taught, we had to be resourceful in our ways and on our terms. What helped us in our artistic journey is the support of friends and family, as well as one specific patron who has been the key to providing us with some guidance and, occasionally, resources to continue creating and developing as artists. We feel extremely lucky and grateful for this.
Q. What are your plans for the future and what do we have to watch out for in the coming months?
A. A new project with the code name ‘Hope of Tomorrow’ that is meant to infuse our lives with more positivity and art, is on its way. As the pandemic is dragging on much longer than expected and the issue of vaccination is very much a current one, our motive is to address this through art on both local and international levels.
Q. What message and advice do you have for the readers?
A. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to read about us. To know more about our work, check our website, https://ronmiller.de/ and our Instagram @ronmillerart