images: Crystalmafia
Crystalmafia is an artist duo from Berlin, consisting of photographer Kieran and painter Ashley. They are originally from the US, they both used to live in San Francisco for several years before they moved to Berlin.
Kierons photographs were published in magazines such as Vice, Nylon, Papermag and Spin; they were recently exhibited at Lucas Carrieri Gallery. Ashleys pictures were shown in several exhibitions in San Francisco and in Berlin.
More pictures and an interview with Crystalmafia after the click.
Please introduce yourself: where are you from, where did you live and why did you come to Berlin?
Kieran: My name is Kieran. I was born in the flatlands of America, raised on a farm and adventured on the West Coast of America before I landed in Berlin 4 years ago. I came here on advice from a friend I met in Thailand and fell in love with the city almost immediately.
Ashley: I’m Ashley Hayward, originally from Hawaii but lived in San Francisco for the past 7 years before relocating to Berlin. I decided to move to Berlin to pursue the burgeoning art communities and hopefully find a community to be a part of.
What do you like, what do you dislike about San Francisco? What has it got in common with Berlin, what is different?
Kieran: San Francisco is beautiful… There is a deep underlying cosmic energy there. I love the small buildings in the Mission and the architecture of the houses and the fog that sweeps in low and takes over the city in a romantic way.
I hated how poor I was there; the cost of living is high when you are a starving artist. The deep underlying cosmic craziness is apparent in both Berlin and San Francisco. The cost of living and sense of adventure is intensely different in both cites.
Ashley: San Francisco has the architecture, Berlin has the nightlife. San Francsico has live music and Berlin has DJs… I love it all.
Please tell us more about these two photo shootings: Death of Glitter & No Pants
Kieran: Death of glitter was a live performance in Bar25’s circus last summer that some friends put together. I think I shot those during Bar 25’s birthday celebration.
No pants is a series from a “no pants party” I had in my apartment last year. It was an amazing session.
Ashley, please tell us more about your work.
I make art to inspire a reminiscence for something you never had, a taste you can see and feeling you can smell. Heart vs Brain, logic vs passion, longing and forgetting – these are my themes.
What is your inspiration?
Kieran: Living in the moment.
Ashley: Heart vs. Brain.
What are your favourite places in Berlin?
Kieran: Sitting by the spree in the summer watching the water go by and sneaking into the abandoned amusement park and watching the toys rot in the woods.
Ashley: In the Sunshine, along the Spree and on the dance floor.
What are your plans for the future?
Kieran: Joining a cannibal clan in Fiji.
Ashley: Make art, share art, be art.
What does freedom mean to you?
Kieran: Absolutely NO REGRETS.
Ashley: Freedom means living life how ever you choose. Free choice. Be a junkie, be a lawyer, be a dentist, be a designer. Live or die or just dance.
