David Herrin is an artist who works under the moniker
“Made to be Broken” and uses various parts of dead animals which
he turns into sculptures. I met David for his first interview, in
which he shared his thoughts about his craft, the philosophy behind
it and many other things.
Thanatische Manifestationen: Hello, David! First of
all, thanks for agreeing to do the interview. For all of those that
don't already know you, who are you and what do you do?
David Herrin: Hello! You are very welcome, and thank
you for giving me this opportunity. My name is DaVid Herrin, 27 years
old and I live in Georgia, located in the southern part of the U.S. I
make sculptures and other pieces of art from the remains of dead
animals. All my work is cruelty-free, so there are no animals harmed
in the making of my art.
TM: When did you found “Made to be Broken“ and
why?
DH: “Made to be broken” is a title I've played
around with for years, in one form or another. But I feel it
describes the work I'm doing in a beautiful, yet sad way. We are all
(man and animal) born to eventually die. We are made to be broken.
The concept has always fascinated me. My work comes from the broken
and I make it up again. I see it as a tribute.
TM: What is your relationship to animals? Is there a
deeper connection with them that flows into your art?
DH: I love animals! I have always been an „animal
person“. They are just like us, just as unique in personality. When
i use an animal for a piece I always try to use as much as possible.
I want that animal to go on, in another form but still exist and be
seen.
TM: Judging by the titles of your works, there seems
to be a kind of background or concept behind some of them – is this
correct?
DH: Yes. I try to have everything mean something,
even the title of the work. So I do my best to put thought into the
concept and final result as much as I do with the construction.
Sometimes the title comes along as I build, lol.
TM: Do you see your creations as entirely new pieces
of art, or do they remain modified skeletons, most of all? Maybe a
bit of both?
DH: I think that I have taken something that was once
alive, beautiful, full of life and purpose and made it into something
people can further appreciate. It's the same bones and animals but
now they have a new life and perspective, as opposed to it rotting
away in the earth (which is a natural way of things too, don't get me
wrong.)
TM: How are your works assembled? Can you describe
the process?
DH: I'm very spontaneous when I work. Sometimes I
will have a basic outline of what I'd like to make, but a lot of
times its just a matter of putting this bone with that bone, trying
different combinations till I see something in it. Some bones just
automatically resemble certain things, so that can be built upon.
TM: What does death mean to you and does it fascinate
you? If yes, why? Do you think it is possible to see your work from a
solely aesthetic viewpoint, in which the fact that these are
skeletons of dead creatures plays no role at all?
DH: Death fascinates me to an extent, I would say.
But I try not to come off as too morbid of a person, haha. I'd say
I'm just as fascinated, if not more, with life, as well. But you
can't have one without the other. I think that's important to
remember. I'm not a religious or spiritual person, but I value life.
TM: How did you get the idea to create the pieces you
create? What was your first one? Were you pleased with the results
straight away?
DH: It originated out of a childhood hobby of
collecting random bones and turtle shells and the like. I got a
decent number up eventually and just for fun decided to build some
„Frankenstein“ like creation. Thus was born the “kitty turtle“.
I was very happy with the result, but the thought that others would
be interested in them didn't come for a few more years, when I posted
a few pics of it and got a lot of positive feedback. So, I went to
work, lol.
TM: Is there any creation which you hold especially
dear?
DH: The kitty turtle, lol. It now resides with a very
good friend of mine, and I'm very happy about that.
TM: How do you acquire the animal bodies? Any
anecdotes you would like to share?
DH: Many ways, lol. I've had them donated to me, and
I found them around the yard, I live in a rural area. But the
funniest story would be when some silly hunters killed a buck, sawed
its antlers off and dumped it on the side of our road. I went up with
my knife, and right there on the side of the road quickly dismembered
the poor fellow for his bones, as no less than 3 cars drove by- I can
only imagine what they were thinking!!! haha
TM: How are you and your work perceived? Although it
is clearly stated that there is absolutely no cruelty involved in
your art, I am sure that criticism is directed towards it, every now
and then.
DH: I've actually been pretty lucky on that end. I
guess because i make such a point up front to say they're all cruelty
free. But, I've gotten a few ‚ewwww“‘s and „thats just
nasty...“ but nothing too ugly, haha.
TM: Is there any philosophical meaning attached to
your art? Reflections about life and death, maybe?
DH: I guess that would depend a lot on the beholder.
I try to leave them open for some interpretation. But i see it as a
circle that ,as long as preserved, can allow something to exist
forever. Bringing joy or whatever it may, long after death.
TM: Are sales important to you? What kind of person
do you think the average “Made to be Broken“ customer is?
DH: As I've told everyone, I didn't start this to get
rich, lol. I would be making them, and I was, even if no one wanted
to buy them. I’d say the average customer is someone like myself,
who can see the beauty in what some might call the darker things in
life.
TM: Judging from your online activities, there seem
to be some ties between you and the splatter film scene. Is that
correct? What kind of art do you enjoy, in general?
DH: Oh yes! I am a HUGE supporter of the underground
horror scene. It feels like a second family. One of my first official
pieces was made for a friend and filmmaker James Bell. I would love
to see one of my pieces pop up in an indie horror film (HINT HINT!
Haha). Total horror junkie, have been ever since i was a kid.
TM: Thank you for the interview! Any last words?
DH: Thank you for giving me this opportunity! I
hope i answered all your questions. Just check out my work, im on
Facebook Thanks for your support!!!!!! -daVid
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