Mark Webster explores four artists as they take image making beyond the static and into the digital realm of motion. From Takagi Masakatsu’s to Varoom 08 cover artist Thomas Hicks. In the past they might have been traditional illustrators, but in the new era of computer-aided creativity, anything is possible. As Nando Costa says: ‘I like to think of animations as moving illustrations and illustrations as static animations.’ Mark’s article can be seen in full in Varoom 08, which can be purchased from this site.
Takagi Masakatsu
Takagi Masakatsu is an artist and musician working in Kyoto in Japan. He started animating back in 1999 after taking up video making, which was a direct extension of his earlier work and interest in photography. His video pieces have a painterly quality that draws inspiration from the natural surroundings. Vibrant in colour, quietly sensitive, his images express the more abstract nature of emotion and are meticulously linked with his musical compositions
www.takagimasakatsu.com
Nando Costa
Nando Costa has been animating since 2000. His work has a bold and expressive dimension that he mixes with a solid educational background in illustration. As founder and owner of the design and animation studio Nervo, he enjoys developing client-based work within a studio environment, and extending his collaborative and creative possibilities over a wide range of moving image work.
www.nervo.tv/
Thomas Hicks
Thomas Hicks graduated from Kingston University in 2004 with a degree in illustration and animation. After winning a commission from Warp Records to make a music video, he has collaborated on a number of award winning works with the band Gravenhurst. Hicks is currently represented by Passion Pictures. He has an experimental and unique style of animation that places him beyond the crowd. Today, he continues to make music videos, as well as create work for theatre productions. Thomas’ work graces the cover of Varoom 08
Watch Thomas Hicks animations online:
www.vimeo.com/thanimation/videos
Marius Watz
Marius Watz is an artist living in Berlin, working with the computer and more specifically with generative systems. He has been fascinated by computer programming and creating animations since the age of 11. Most of his work has involved developing software that produces visual form either as part of installations, live visuals for music, or as self-contained generative pieces. Today, he maintains a blog, www.generatorx.no which acts as a platform for his work as well as to develop events and workshops in computational design and generative art.
Watch Marius Watz animations online:
http://www.unlekker.net/
