The most important thing for me is to create work that is easy to understand by anyone, while I believe the finished results have a certain depth to them, the process of making them is where I believe my creative spirit exists. I hope to create artworks, exhibitions and experiences that transport the viewer to a calm and pleasant place.
ARTIST BIO
Yan Paul believes nature is the most vital factor in shaping our shared visual language. Though interpretations differ across borders, he explores the universal emotional responses that unite us. His work bridges the gap between technology and emotion, using digital tools to highlight our fundamental human connection.
As a digital nomad, Yan Paul travels between global artistic communities to foster collaboration and support worthwhile causes. He creates Artistic Systems for screens, spaces, and skies.
- Web: https://thisisreal.xyz/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/yanpauldubbelman
What Is one belief, insight, or idea that guides your creative process?
The most important thing for me is to create work that is easy to understand by anyone, while I believe the finished results have a certain depth to them, the process of making them is where I believe my creative spirit exists. I hope to create artworks, exhibitions and experiences that transport the viewer to a calm and pleasant place.
Can you tell us how you discovered Mixed art and what drew you into it?
I think I’ve always had a systematic brain, when I was using Blender, Cinema4d and even after effects I was always thinking of how to make things more efficient and more controllable. Using Houdini opened up the workflow I’m most comfortable with, looking at nature and seeing how I can lift patterns, movement or materials and think about how it would grow “for real”, then trying to do the same using procedural systems.
What do you think defines your style or creative approach, and how did you arrive at that identity?
In one word, “Calm”, there is a certain considered and confident way my work comes across to the viewer, not a lot of action but always some movement. My systematic brain tends towards control and that produces the foundation for my style.
How does a project usually begin for you? Do you have a creative ritual or structure you follow?
It begins with excitement, when a client or group approaches me the first thing that happens is that a huge world of opportunities open up. This excitement will then turn into action, basically figuring out how to build the structures in our minds, a lot of hard work and custom system-building. I usually dont start out with a strong end result in mind, it comes organically like my models.
What tools or technologies do you use most, and how do they influence your visual language?
My main tool is Houdini, I’m very comfortable with the way it works. I then build bridges to other software, mainly touch designer. Ideally I can dream up the complex structure in houdini, send it to Touch Designer to make it come alive, it’s a lot of fun to see how much is possible with the new POP systems.
Do you feel there Is a strong generative art scene? What would you like to see evolve in it
There is definitely a shift towards procedural and generative systems, the big software packages offer more and more node workflows. Because of that it’s becoming more and more comfortable to talk about those tools which empowers more people to use it comfortably. When I gave my first seminar, it was clear the room was mostly filled with engineer-like people, now I see more and more artists.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start creating generative art but doesn’t know where to begin?
Step one is following people who’s work you like, step two is YouTube and step three is a lot of time. Everything is available but you have to do the work yourself to really “get” it. Make sure you go to Media Art events, especially the smaller ones, to get to know interesting people with a similar brain.
Which artists or creators do you think are doing remarkable work and deserve much more recognition?
I’d like to shout out Myungwon, South Korean interaction artist. He is very good at creating interactive sculptures: @dding_one
