Ken Volok's Profile

From: Santa Barbara, CA
Joined: April 28, 2008
http://www.cruxy.com/eyezenkino

About Ken Volok:

'Art is experience and discovery, for the artist and the spectator. Everything that will ever be shot has already been shot. My job is to make it an interesting and new experience. My art is both the culmination of every artist I've ever worked with or inspired me; and my personal passions and life experience. In my photography I want to embalm the split second my subject's soul shines through; or experience the frozen moment vicariously. In my film and video work I strive to sublimely achieve what Hitchcock called 'pure cinema' and take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion and discovery. I want you to see things in new ways. I want you to see the beauty in you.'

Ken Volok


'The portraits breathe with nature, form, and energy.'

Michael Kearns

“Volok’s photographs are visually inventive and very human on top of being sexy.”

Howard Cruse, author of Stuck Rubber Baby and Wendel

'Very few people have his particular and thorough grasp of American culture; very few have the ability to so beautifully exploit this knowledge. As an artist (particularly as a photographer) he is adept at portraying beauty—human and otherwise.'

George Delmerico, Art Director (Retired)
Village Voice, Giorno Poetry Systems,
Santa Barbara Independent

"Great vision and concepts."

Olivia Donovan
Senior Fashion Editor
Style-ology Magazine

Ken Volok first gained recognition as a filmmaker, actor, photographer, stage director, painter and writer in Santa Barbara, CA. While attending UC Santa Barbara he created four TV spots for the legendary LA clothier Retail Slut and worked on the groundbreaking documentary Zapatista for Big Noise Films.

After graduating Volok has been involved in a variety of art exhibitions throughout California and various stage and film-video projects. Inspired by a friend, poet John Giorno, and a bloody surfing accident, Volok founded the influential, artist-centric HE@D Magazine which gained national attention and featured the participation of Giorno, R. Crumb and Aline Kaminsky-Crumb, Negativland, Anne Waldman, Stacy Peralta, Michael McClure, Scott Starr, Jack Johnson, Jacob Eichert, Zack de la Rocha, Teri Nunn, Nina Hagen, Julee Cruise and many more up and coming and established artistDuring this time he has completed two of his short films: Oxygen in 2004, and most recently Genuine; as well as creating a variety of commercials for Honda, KIA, Bongo Johnny's, hE@D Archives, and more. He also assisted theater icon Michael Kearns in his 20th Annviversary stage production of Jerker in 2006 which premiered at Highways performance space in Santa Monica. Oxygen and Genuine are available on the DVD Specimen: Collected Works by Ken Volok, and various online venues. Through various art exhibitions and online venues, Volok's work has a growing international audience with patrons in the US, Canada, Italy, Norway, Russia, Spain, Germany, UK, Ireland, Japan and Australia.

Volok's current pet projects include a feature length neo-realist suspense thriller, music videos for The Indignitaries, a surf and skate video; and a project for G2. He is also an avid surfer and skateboarder.