Estrid Akermark
“With the frightening times of climate change, I realise how dangerous fast fashion is…3D could definitely be a solution to that, where everything from the design to models are all in your own hands on the screen,” says post-internet artist Estrid Åkermark, whose observations of reality have resulted in the creation of striking 3D avatars which are making their way into the fashion world.
Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself|?
I am a 21-year-old artist from Stockholm studying the second year of a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts at Umeå Academy of Fine Arts in northern Sweden. Many would describe me as a sculptor - both physically and digitally. On social media, I focus on my 3D oriented work.
What inspires your work more – your education or the Internet?
Being in different art schools since the age of 10, I have done much formal training. Although I see myself as a non-self-taught artist, my digital skills very much are self-taught. My interest in the digital field was separated from my art practice before. When I was 7 years old, I created my own website about animals in PowerPoint. Since that, I’ve kept working digitally. I love finding inspiration on social media and other everyday situations, but the art theory and art history I’ve learned through the years have also been vital for how I understand things. Both are important to me.
What mediums or applications do you use to create your work?
All kinds, low and high. I started making 3D work after taking a digital creating course in high school. I first tried out applications such as Makehuman, Blender, Sculptris and Photoshop 3D. There are many great open source applications that are also free. I recently am more interested in using character bases from chat rooms and video games. I see no shame in 3D readymades, just like in the physical world. Anyone can experiment with 3D!
Do you have any specific processes you repeat when it comes to creating a new piece?
An idea comes from me observing; situations, people, and concepts. Growing up quiet and shy, observing was what I did. When it comes to my avatars, I like to browse Instagram. I have a certain girl in my mind when I make my avatar. Perhaps the larger-than-life Instagram baddie. The millennial ideal girl sporting a Fashion Nova set that we all secretly want to be. Who is she? Is she real? Or does she only exist on social media? I love to add references from my own adolescence, pop culture and politics to the avatars. It’s bizarre and intriguing, just like the times we are living in.
I’ve seen you’ve created avatars of yourself – are they alter egos or a reflection of yourself?
When I make realistic avatars of myself for any purpose, I realise how bland they turn out. I suppose I look quite neutral. Making avatars interesting is all about exaggeration of features and personality. I tend to think of the artist side of myself as an alter ego. More controversial, fiercer and radiating confidence… it’s like playing dress up!
Your work tends to explore femininity in the digital age, particularly through the outfits worn by your 3D animations. How does your work also interact with themes of mass production and opulence which you have said interests you?
The fine art world is a very special crowd, as an artist one is supposed to be the perfect person, with the perfect opinions and lifestyle, particularly politically. I love shiny things and I love expensive things, I’m simple like that. It all comes from growing up in a hyper commercial environment. I’d rather work with plastic and synthetic materials, gadgets and toys than the minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic that dominates the art academies here. Of course I see problems in my own vanity and materialism, however I like that complexity, because that is how real life is.
You recently collaborated with Sensergy for Sinead Gorey’s presentation at London Fashion Week. How did the collaboration come about?
And how do you think 3D animation will affect the fashion industry?
I have been a part of the digital art collective Sensergy for some time now and it’s an amazing community of creative people all over the continent. Clodie Worboys, the creator of Sensergy, always finds great ways for people to collaborate and for everyone to use their strengths to create something together. She did that in this case. For me it is important to work with other female creators. Being involved with Fashion Week in any way is a total dream to me! To think that I used to attend the only events that were “open” at the very invite-only friendly Stockholm Fashion Week in my teens to being a part of Sinead’s presentation feels surreal.
I love fashion! But with the frightening times of climate change, I realise how dangerous fast fashion is and vomiting out new clothes that are in trend for a few months and then go unsold and burned. 3D could definitely be a solution to that, where everything from the design to models are all in your own hands on the screen. Something people tend to forget is that the internet is a very democratic place.
What are you planning to work on next?
I want my avatars to interact with others! I’m browsing the forums and chat rooms and want to get out and make more interaction based virtual artworks!
courtesy ESTRID AKERMARK
interview MILLIE FOSTER PRICE
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