[DENİZ CINBIL]
Multidisciplinary Designer and Artist Deniz Cinbil took part in the new series of TANI collection. You can read this content to get to know Deniz Cinbil better. ☻ ☻ ☻
1.) Could you tell us briefly about yourself?
1.) Could you tell us briefly about yourself?
1.) Could you tell us briefly about yourself?
Hi! I’m a multidisciplinary designer and artist, exploring the space between art and design. I spend most of my time on Abnormal Objects, my home goods brand focused on lighting, with plans to expand into furniture.
Born in Istanbul, I grew up in Washington, D.C., before studying Fashion Design at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University with a semester at Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. Now I am based in Berlin, where I work freelance, experimenting with materials through play and curiosity.
Hi! I’m a multidisciplinary designer and artist, exploring the space between art and design. I spend most of my time on Abnormal Objects, my home goods brand focused on lighting, with plans to expand into furniture.
Born in Istanbul, I grew up in Washington, D.C., before studying Fashion Design at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University with a semester at Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. Now I am based in Berlin, where I work freelance, experimenting with materials through play and curiosity.
2.) Do you find the “strange” more appealing than the “common” in the work you produce? How do you strike the balance between strangeness and familiarity?
2.) Do you find the “strange” more appealing than the “common” in the work you produce? How do you strike the balance between strangeness and familiarity?
2.) Do you find the “strange” more appealing than the “common” in the work you produce? How do you strike the balance between strangeness and familiarity?
I feel that Norms are shaped by society, yet the line between common and strange is always shifting. I try to focus on the feeling rather than fitting into definitions, letting curiosity guide me to create pieces that are both unexpected yet familiar :)
I feel that Norms are shaped by society, yet the line between common and strange is always shifting. I try to focus on the feeling rather than fitting into definitions, letting curiosity guide me to create pieces that are both unexpected yet familiar :)
3.) What are the moments in your daily life that nourish you the most as a designer or artist? What are the details in your routine that shape you the most without ever being noticed?
3.) What are the moments in your daily life that nourish you the most as a designer or artist? What are the details in your routine that shape you the most without ever being noticed?
3.) What are the moments in your daily life that nourish you the most as a designer or artist? What are the details in your routine that shape you the most without ever being noticed?
I draw inspiration from many sources. As my perspective shifts, so does what inspires me. The cities I’ve traveled to, films I watch, exhibitions I visit, deep conversations—and of course, poetry—all play a part. Ultimately, it’s my experiences that shape my work. When I’m creating, I dive into my emotions and try to find ways to express them.
I draw inspiration from many sources. As my perspective shifts, so does what inspires me. The cities I’ve traveled to, films I watch, exhibitions I visit, deep conversations—and of course, poetry—all play a part. Ultimately, it’s my experiences that shape my work. When I’m creating, I dive into my emotions and try to find ways to express them.
4.) How did the origin story of Abnormal Objects take shape, what was the initial spark?
4.) How did the origin story of Abnormal Objects take shape, what was the initial spark?
4.) How did the origin story of Abnormal Objects take shape, what was the initial spark?
At the time, I couldn’t find what I was looking for in Istanbul or Turkey, and after talking with friends, I realized they felt the same. That’s when I thought, why not create that place myself? Abnormal Objects grew from my curiosity about furniture, objects, and design.
Raised in a home filled with unique finds from American antique shops and thrift stores, I was drawn to pieces with character and history. Inspired by the Bauhaus school of thought, I wanted to merge craft and design to create consciously made home goods.
We’re moving forward as a multidisciplinary brand, revealing and reflecting the “abnormal” sides of ourselves in different spaces, including our homes, allowing each person to express their unique self.
At the time, I couldn’t find what I was looking for in Istanbul or Turkey, and after talking with friends, I realized they felt the same. That’s when I thought, why not create that place myself? Abnormal Objects grew from my curiosity about furniture, objects, and design.
Raised in a home filled with unique finds from American antique shops and thrift stores, I was drawn to pieces with character and history. Inspired by the Bauhaus school of thought, I wanted to merge craft and design to create consciously made home goods.
We’re moving forward as a multidisciplinary brand, revealing and reflecting the “abnormal” sides of ourselves in different spaces, including our homes, allowing each person to express their unique self.
5.) Can an object reject you? Are there moments when you are working with an object and you cannot get along with it, when something does not flow? What do you do then?
5.) Can an object reject you? Are there moments when you are working with an object and you cannot get along with it, when something does not flow? What do you do then?
5.) Can an object reject you? Are there moments when you are working with an object and you cannot get along with it, when something does not flow? What do you do then?
I think it’s about slowing down and understanding the material I’m working with. When things don’t flow, I take a step back and try different approaches. The challenge keeps me present, which I truly value. I’ve also learned to accept that not every day is equally productive or flows the same way. But over time, it all builds up, shaping both the work and me in the process. Curiosity and playfulness are at the core of my process, allowing experimentation to lead the way and uncover new possibilities.
I think it’s about slowing down and understanding the material I’m working with. When things don’t flow, I take a step back and try different approaches. The challenge keeps me present, which I truly value. I’ve also learned to accept that not every day is equally productive or flows the same way. But over time, it all builds up, shaping both the work and me in the process. Curiosity and playfulness are at the core of my process, allowing experimentation to lead the way and uncover new possibilities.
6.) We know you love to offer unexpected experiences in your art. So, what was the last artwork or experience that surprised you?
6.) We know you love to offer unexpected experiences in your art. So, what was the last artwork or experience that surprised you?
6.) We know you love to offer unexpected experiences in your art. So, what was the last artwork or experience that surprised you?
The movie The Fall (2006), which I watched recently.
The movie The Fall (2006), which I watched recently.
7.) Have you ever made a design mistake and thought to yourself, "I wish I had done that on purpose"?
When I stay curious and leave room to play, these moments happen more often. I think It’s about balancing the right amount of the unknown and the known, experimenting, and staying open during the process.
7.) Have you ever made a design mistake and thought to yourself, "I wish I had done that on purpose"?
When I stay curious and leave room to play, these moments happen more often. I think It’s about balancing the right amount of the unknown and the known, experimenting, and staying open during the process.
8.) If you had to exhibit your work in a completely different place than an exhibition space, where would it be?
8.) If you had to exhibit your work in a completely different place than an exhibition space, where would it be?
I’d probably choose a place where people aren't expecting art, that would bring a different kind of interaction, maybe slowing people down, giving them the opportunity to pause and notice the ordinary surroundings a little differently.
I’d probably choose a place where people aren't expecting art, that would bring a different kind of interaction, maybe slowing people down, giving them the opportunity to pause and notice the ordinary surroundings a little differently.
9.) Is there a project you are preparing for recently? Can you give us a little special hint?
9.) Is there a project you are preparing for recently? Can you give us a little special hint?
I’m currently preparing for a duo exhibition in Berlin with Selin Tahtakılıç, happening at the end of May or early June. Stay tuned! :)
I’m currently preparing for a duo exhibition in Berlin with Selin Tahtakılıç, happening at the end of May or early June. Stay tuned! :)
10.) We would like you to leave your mark on this collection with a sentence. Could you share your final sentence with us?
10.) We would like you to leave your mark on this collection with a sentence. Could you share your final sentence with us?
"There's no right way to experiment." - Rick Rubin
"There's no right way to experiment." - Rick Rubin
