Superstar video jockey mixes it for Kingston

18/03/04

Superstar video jockey mixes it for Kingston

An artist who made his name at Radio 1 has been sounding out a different audience after accepting a new challenge at Kingston University’s Stanley Picker Gallery. Charles Kriel, who has teamed up with disc jockeys such as Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold as Radio 1’s artist in residence, has become the gallery’s latest design fellow.

Mr Kriel has established himself as a leading video jockey, producing visual mixes of live music events using top-of-the-range technology. The American, who is also a filmmaker and composer, has developed a system allowing him to mix and scratch video images beamed to Radio 1’s listeners over the Internet. His appointment as a design fellow at the University has culminated in an exhibition at the Picker Gallery. Called the real, it revolves around his upbringing in a travelling circus, where he worked as an acrobat and clown, before opting to pursue his current career.

Mr Kriel has worked closely with staff and students as the exhibition has taken shape. “I’ve really enjoyed developing my research alongside academics teaching subjects such as engineering, music and art design history,” he said. “Fellowships are really designed to move an artist’s practice forward and, in the best cases, change their lives. My appointment at the Picker Gallery has certainly done that.”

The Real was launched with a video installation at the Gallery at Middle Mill, Knights Park, on 3 March and runs until 14 May.