Hi Saygin, could you tell me how you have developed your style and your work throughout the years. How did you start and what you are working on right now?
Hello Moira, well I'm using computer since 1988 I've been always interested in graphics, always trying to figure out how things are made. Back then I had C64 book about how to code images, well I was 6 years old and when I figured out how to read and write the first thing I did was learning the basic coding but it was too difficult for a kid, you know I was supposed to play with he-man toys not codes and my parents were really unhappy with the amount of time I spend on computer. Years later I got a wrong floppy disk for Amiga, I bought Silkworm but I found a software called "Deluxe Paint" in the disk, some sort of Photoshop for Amiga.
I've been busy with graphics on and off since then, but everything started to turn out to be more interesting with Internet. I could check other styles, other artists, competitions and I had access to large variety of software. I've been always the "illustrator" type of artist, fueled with cyberpunk culture, game graphics and posters. I took a long break on painting and got more into "calculating" the image, the science of form and rules of mathematics, nobody told me that mathematics is more than boring signs in school years. Actually went back to 22 years ago to figure out what I've been trying to do. But I always wanted to create something which sound and image works together. Thanks for the 3D technology that wasn't so difficult, but not enough. So I wanted to take the concept to our physical world from the voltage patterns on a screen. At the moment I'm busy with topology, robotics and interactive media-art.
Before you start working on a project, be it sculpture, illustration or video, how do you go about brainstorming an idea? How does this get developed towards a final piece? When it comes to a project (image, animation or sound) I'm like a "savant", I don't think at all, images appear in my mind and I just try get them out of that blurry bubble. I kinda reverse-engineer what I already have created in my mind. It still amazes me how one second thought can take ages to rebuild. But when its a sculpture or an installation I come with a concept, the harmony between shape and purpose. I calculate the every millimeter. I use the technology to its limits, I don't let my inferior human hands to construct. I build everything in computer and let the machine carve it into material. Its sounds like a planned process, but goes very chaotic. Sometimes I'm lucky and everything works well, sometimes I end up with a pile of junk.
Do you have a certain rule that you always follow when you are working on something?
I try to avoid rules except house has to be clean, coffee has to be ready (lots of coffee) and I shop for a week. Sometimes mistakes can turn out to be the start of something new, so "stick to the book" is not my motto. I'm a quick starter, I never read tutorials its a habit for example I had a working motorbike and I made a junk out of it, only because I didn't wanna check the manual, sad that life has no CTRL+Z. The only rule "I should make" is "save your projects". Believe me scraps might be the best work ever with one little touch, only if you know where to put it. I guess "don't obey the rule" is my rule.
How important is technical software knowledge in the creation of an art / design piece?
It's important to know a start point or to know your own limitations to overcome the obstacle. Knowledge can reveal many secrets, When I go to a movie, I often say "aha, thats how they did it", It's like Neo in Matrix, you see all of the technical data. Its easier to imagine when you know the path. Also the knowledge can help you to develop new ideas, ever had the light bulb of "I can do that with this!"? thats what I'm talking about. Without the knowledge even the simplest idea can become impossible. I suggest everyone to use multiple software and when it comes to a point that its not enough, make your own software, plug in etc. The walls between software and imagination is only in our minds. The question is : how to bring our ideas into reality (physical or alternate), the only way to do this is pressing that red button and see what it does.
Do you consider yourself to be a perfectionist? How does this influence and affect your work?
To achieve the desired goal, I try every possibility. Its not because I'm not sure what I want but I don't wanna skip the options. It causes a lot of problems, I'm never earlier than the deadline. Especially when collaborating with the other artists its a significant problem. Sometimes my passion for detail can turn out to be my undoing, I always fail at presentation because the concept takes long and I haven't thought about how to present it. But perfectionism is proof of passion for my opinion, challenging yourself to become better and its results are rewarding.
Finally, is there any advice you wish to give to someone studying in the art and design area?
If you become good at something, leave it for a while.
Audioactive from Noctivagant on Vimeo.
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