Although I've known Andrew since I was 8 years old, the tale of our friendship has, in a way, always been through words. And while we have stayed in touch for over 25 years through handwritten letters (and eventually email), seen each other on occasion, and only last year had the chance to hang out as regular friends would (if regular friends hang out in stripper karaoke bars), there remains much about him that I do not know. I was mighty pleased that he is participating in our interview project!
As the design director of District Eight, Andrew has opportunity to draw on his life experience as a frequent traveler, his time at California College of the Arts and his natural talent for design. Herein, some of the things that make Mr. Lieberman tick.
1. Have you lived and/or traveled to many places? What is your favorite place to be?
Portland, Oregon.
San Diego, California
Santa Cruz, California
San Francisco, California
Glasgow, Scotland - twice
Malmo, Sweden
Valencia, Spain
Copenhagen, Denmark
Saigon, Vietnam
traveled all over europe. asia is the new frontier, but japan, thailand, china, singapore, and vietnam are checked off the list...
Reykjavik, Iceland was by far the most fascinatingly bizarre country i've been to, totally unique. my favorite place to 'be'... hmmm... copenhagen, riding my bike through norrebro. or the havelock in hammersmith, london. or, royal coffee on college in oakland - reminds me of portland.
2. How long have you been in your current location? What do you love most about being there?
next week makes six months i've been living in Saigon. My favorite activity of all time here is watching the total abstraction called traffic.
3. What is your design/craft aesthetic & philosophy?
i like honesty in materials and focus on details and connections. most things i'll make are minimal or simple. or industrial in some way. i like incorporating natural light and warmth as much as possible.
4. What tools & products in your studio could you not live without? Do you have a favorite?
studio being my storage closet off the kitchen... i'd say my cordless drill gets the most work. i love my old polaroid transfer machine but almost never use it. but i probably couldn't function without my computer. right now my favorite tool is the 110-piece tap and die set i bought just before moving. amazing the power you feel knowing you can thread on a whim.
5. What trends/experiences do you see in your life as it relates to your craft?
absolutely living abroad. being in places that were similar but different made me hyper aware of the spaces i was in, what i liked about them and why, what i didn't like or missed when returning home. i found myself wanting to go back to places i'd been, just to inhabit the space again, usually really specific street corners or rooms somewhere. its hard not to make the leap into designing space.
6. Complete this sentence: "When I'm in my studio/workspace/creative space, I feel (or think) _______________________."
i usually think i should quit fucking around and get back to work. or, i feel full of momentum and energy. or, i don't really think much, i'm just plowing through a ton of work...
7. When you're stuck or facing a tough decision, what creative inspiration do you look to? How do you combat "creative block?"
i can always pick up a magazine or check a blog to get some competitive creativity going again... but usually spending some time interacting with another craft is best. an afternoon looking at paintings, a morning in a glass studio... sometimes working with raw materials i'm not usually exposed to is enough of a trigger to set off thousands of ideas for future projects.
8. If there was a soundtrack to the movie "A Day in the Life of YOU" what would it include?
right now it'd be all r & b and slow jams. i have no idea why i like this music now. but...
9. If you could visit the studio of any craftsperson/artist/designer (present day or historical) who would it be and why?
Poul Kjærholm - Danish mid-century designer. His furniture is very modern, very logical and intentional, but while totally minimal and simple, his work has an outstandingly high level of craft, usually not seen in production furniture. and its the high level of craft that gives it warmth and makes it timeless.
10. If you could have been born in any other time period, what period would you choose, and why (or how do you think it most suits your sensibilities and personality)?
probably some time in the 30's or 40's so my life could be like an edward hopper painting. and, because bars and clubs were just way cooler back then.
you can see more of Andrew's work at District Eight Design, in Vietnam... or you can read his blog, sfo2sgn, and watch him turn his surroundings into cooler spaces.
(all photos in this post courtesy of sfo2sgn)
