Larpiee
Artist Larpiee works mainly within the digital world as he creates masterpieces that narrate his own visual universe. Aesthetically his work could be described as childlike with an element of ominous darkness. This is an interesting contrast Larpiee enjoys to explore. To further his practice outside of the digital, Larpiee will be producing a clothing line in the near future so make sure to look out for this over the summer. On top of this Larpiee has been collaborating with other artists on some upcoming projects that will be released soon. Read on to hear more from Larpiee’s chat with Coeval.
What initially influenced you to get into the arts?
I have always drawn things like the Smurfs, Mickey Mouse and the Simpsons since I can remember. Later I decided to go to art school where I learned new techniques such as screen-print and was introduced to digital art for the first time. Following this I went to university and studied Graphic Design and Media Art but dropped out. This is when I taught myself Blender and also decided to take art super seriously in order to make career out of it.
How would you best describe your practice and what it entails?
My work is mostly digital but I'm searching for ways to bridge the gap between digital and physical art more in the future. I will be making clothesandI would like to 3D print frames as well asprint my digital work. I recently started tufting rugs too! My aim is to build my own visual universe. I want to be able to make everything I want, totally different stuff but you can still see its mine
What inspires your work?
Before a project I always get triggered by a certain image or something I see in the streetswhich canbe anything really.I collect these images. Sometimes I use them right away, sometimes I use them months later, some I never use. I tend to see it as an ongoing project of its own. A library I can always come back to.Lately I have been really into baby toys and children's playground aesthetics. I also like to place these happy, colourful and mostly rounded objects in contrast to darker scenes with spiky avatars. I'm really drawn toaharsh contrast.Musically I like everything from old Chief Keef to Flemish Schlager music, David Guetta and The Vengaboys type of vibe.AlthoughI don't know how that directly translates in my work.
What methods and software’s do you utilise to create work?
For the moment, I mainly use Blender and I don't feel like switching to another 3D software anytime soon. I’ve been using it for 2 years now, before I used Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create my work. Now I like combining these with 3D. I also like sculpting in VR, Oculus Medium is amazing! Substance Painter and UE5 arethe next things Idefinitely want to learn!
Talk us a through a favourite project you have worked on recently?
One of the last renders I did, called 'Day&Nite', started of as a technical experiment using the eevee render engine in Blender. I wanted to remake a photo ssaliva posted on Instagram of a basketball court bathing in bright light. So, Imodelled everything and tried to reconstruct the lighting, but it didn't really work out. A few hours of work wasted.A few weeks later I had modelled a creepy children's toy and thought itwould fit nicely in the basketball court scene. I placed it inside the scene, retried the lighting and I got it right away. Later added some details and it was done.I love it when things come together spontaneously and fit so well. I don't plan everything from the start, I find it interesting to let coincidence play a role.
Have you collaborated with other creatives and if so, how do you enjoy collaborative projects?
I definitely love doing collabs. It can be a real boost or be refreshing to work with someone who you look up to, and they love your work too. It is always a different dynamic, and you'll come up with stuff you couldn't when you’reworking on your own.I'm a part of the De Beeldefabrik, we are eightfriends with the same passion of making digital images. Here,it's all about collaborating. We collect images together. Someone starts up a Photoshopfile and we pass it around until it's finished. I think we have made around 110 so far.With DON ELEKTRO I also did some collaborative projects. He really inspired me when I was taking my first steps in digital art, mainly using photoshop.He used to describe his work as VISUAL FASTFOOD, because he has a super consistent output, and it fits his digital trashy aesthetic. I've always liked that term a lot. So, working with him was kind of a goal for me and turned out to be a really nice experience.
What can we expect to see from you in the near future?
A lot! A Lot of things i've been dying to share with everybody! I did some designs for a clothing brand. I'm super happy how that turned out. This will probably drop in December or January.I'm making a game with some close friends. We will be showing a video of the game at a small Slagwerk event in Brussels in September. Also did the visualsof an upcoming website for Slagwerk, this should be dropping soon!Oh yeah and I'm starting my own clothing brand this summer. Where I will do all the designs and I want to do collabs with other artists on a regular basis. I'm going tokeep the name a secret fornow.Plusmuch more that I can't tell you yet.
interview GABY MAWSON
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