ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Thomas Collet

Hi, Thomas! We're huge fans of what you do and we're more than excited to have you here on our blog! We absolutely adore how your art is based on Datamosh and pixel blending. Please tell us more about your vision and what attracts you the most in this style. How long have you been doing Datamosh art? Can you tell us what inspired you first to pursue this passion and how have you grown during years with this unique style?

I first started editing three years ago while I was still in the drawing section of an art school. I really enjoyed working with videos but I felt like I didn't really understand what was happening behind the interface. Therefore, I learned about the algorithms used to compress video information in specific codecs and formats. I found out that many people were doing glitch on purpose using that same knowledge. The idea of creating by using error was really appealing to me because it brings creation and destruction together. 

The world in your art is very digital, abstract, and glitchy. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I would say that my work is grounded on physics theories. I see it as the way to define reality around me on every scale. I'm inspired by old contemplative cinema directors such as Tarkowsky or Kurosawa. I like to get inspired from other kinds of art besides digital. I usually get fascinated by architectures, abstract paintings, Art brut etc. The Glitch Artists Collective has also been a huge inspiration whether technically or theoretically during these years of experimentations. It provides new ideas and visions for me to see how far glitch art can go through it's members. The way my own style evolved is really linked with these people.

Can you tell us about your creative process? How do you go from idea to finished piece? What softwares have you been using to achieve style of Datamosh and pixel blending in your art?

I'm very chaotic when it comes to creation. I like to be surrounded by ongoing projects and to live in messy environment, because to me, creation comes from chaos. In the past year I'm getting deeper into coding because it offers more freedom than embedded softwares. Ffmpeg is my best tool at the moment, but I still use beloved Avidemux, Vlc and Audacity. To speak about some classics, for some specific projects, I also use Isadora and imagej for processing.

Do you listen to music while you create? If so what kind and how do you see it affecting your finished product? 

I really enjoy experimental music. Even if it may be old now, I still enjoy Terry reiley, Steve Reich, Eliane Radigue, John Cage etc. Lately I've been really into Oneothrix Point Never. I won't be able to say how precisely it affects my work, but it may encourage me to try unexpected things. 

How do you see yourself at the highest point of your career? What would be your ultimate dream to accomplish with your art and when do you see that happening?

I think it's a matter of time until glitch invades every layer of our digital and physical worlds. I would love to see my work at big contemporary art exhibitions. It's hard to plan these kind of things, but I would be really pleased to see my work at the Museum of Modern Art someday...

Finally we would love to ask - What would you say to up and coming artists who want to pursue their passion? 

Art is about deconstructing formats, so try the unexpected.

Follow Thomas Collet's Instagram or check out his Vimeo Channel