#kilduff

Active Art: A Conversation with John Kilduff

Every day we find ourselves in a situation of multitasking. We text message while we drive, eat dinner while watching the evening news, listen to music and eat breakfast while walking to school – countless activities done in conjunction with one another in order to save the precious time that we are allotted each day.

Sometimes these activities are mindless and second nature, but ever so often do we push our skills to the limit, attempting to take on as many tasks as humanly possible… all at once. On his show Let’s Paint TV!, Southern California-based artist John Kilduff takes multitasking to the next level where, on every episode, he performs a painting lesson and simultaneously executes an additional action – from cooking an egg sandwich on a George Forman grill to attempting open heart surgery – all while running on a treadmill. In a suit. In front of a live audience. If this is not the pinnacle of multitasking, I don’t know what is. Not to mention, Kilduff’s show is even more entertaining than watching two people crash into each other as a result of trying to walk and text at the same time.

In preparation for his performance at UCLA’s Arts Party at the Hammer Museum, I had the opportunity to talk with Kilduff about his performances, some best and worst moments, and what he has in store for us on April 18.

Kaitlyn Kramer: I would imagine that doing all of these various actions while running on a treadmill for an extended period of time could be pretty exhausting. Are there any special rituals or preparatory routines that you do before you perform?

John Kilduff: I make sure I stretch and not eat too much before performing.

KK: What do you consider to be a truly successful performance?

JK: I would have to say a great performance is ultimately in the eyes of the audience, especially if I am able to hear laughter and participation from the audience … I feel like that's a good sign of a good/great performance. Also, if I can get lost in what I am doing – with music, questions, food, paint, exercise, etcetera. Getting into an altered state is the best.

KK: Out of all of the food that you have cooked and blended on your show, what turned out to be the most delicious?

JK: I made an interesting discovery once when I blended some tortillas and added some lemon to it. I got this wonderful paste that I thought, “this is just like tamale masa!” I then stuffed the masa and fried it ... it was pretty good.

KK: On the other hand, what was the most disgusting?

JK: Maybe the worst was when we blended some fish with other stuff that I forget, but it got pretty nasty.

KK: Well, I hope we can leave fish out of the equation for your performance at the Hammer. Can you share with us a little sneak peak of what we can expect at Arts Party?

JK: What to expect? More of the same!