Inside the Mind of Vollut: The Digital Art Maestro Redefining Creativity

Meet Vollut, the digital artist and animator who is revolutionizing the advertising world with his groundbreaking style called "spherealism." With over 12 years of experience collaborating with global giants like Apple, Nike, Microsoft, and Meta, Vollut has carved a niche in the art scene. His visually stunning works have captivated audiences in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Berlin, and his recent solo immersive exhibition in London was a transformative experience. Dive into Vollut's world as he shares insights on the intricacies of digital art, the profound symbolism of his digital avatar, and his bold vision for the future of creativity amidst the rise of artificial intelligence.

For those who don't know you yet, could you tell us who you are, where you live and three adjectives that you think best describe you?

Vollut is a digital artist and animator who has been working in the advertising industry for over 12 years, collaborating with brands like Apple, Nike, Microsoft, and Meta. This extensive experience has allowed him to build a successful art career and develop a signature style that some people call spherealism, which blends neo-impressionism, generative art, and animation.

Vollut’s art has been showcased in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, and Berlin. Last May, he launched a solo immersive exhibition in London, spanning the three-story facade of a building and 63 meters of screens within the gallery space.

What is the most challenging aspect of working with digital/3D art in your work? How do you use space and depth to communicate your artistic message?

The most challenging aspect of my work is limiting myself. After working in this field for so long and in so many roles, I can visualize and produce any idea I come up with, like a human orchestra. However, the number of ideas I have far exceeds the available resources.

3D art is strange and unintuitive for many people. While artists call it 3D, a regular person only sees a 2D projection because the most popular way to consume it is on a flat screen. We use composition, depth, and color theory to make it look less flat, similar to what painters have done throughout history. But once we see mass adoption of VR/AR devices, 3D digital art will become the most popular and accessible form of art.

In your works, the recurring presence of a digital avatar is evident. Who represents this character and does it have a specific name? What is the significance of this avatar in the context of your creations? Does it have a particular message or symbolism that you wish to communicate through it?

I always felt the need for a character to relate to and compare myself with. In many ways, he's just a virtual representation of me. He's Vollut, created in my image. He does what I tell him to do, drawing a parallel with the themes of free will and the virtual nature of the universe that inspire me. Maybe I'm just another puppet in the hands of a higher being.

Looking at your Instagram profile, each time you seem to be catapulted into a different world. What do you mainly draw inspiration from to create such different settings and atmospheres?

My character travels a lot, and so do I. Without input, there's no output, so I try to expose myself to new places, people, books, and media as often as I can. It's just a matter of time before the brain generates new ideas and visuals.

If you could transport us to your ideal world, how would you describe it? What would be the peculiarities and extraordinary facets we would expect to find?

I envision a world where everything is always moving and evolving, a place where you can see all colors, not just the visible spectrum, and where the environment itself makes music. It would be weird but very familiar, like an impressionist painting that looks cohesive from a distance but is just a bunch of strokes up close.

How do you see the advent of artificial intelligence in the art world? Do you see it as a helpful tool that enriches the creative process, or do you feel it could negatively affect artistic originality?

I have mixed feelings about AI in general. I feel like the Internet is breaking because of it. Nothing seems real, the amount of content is overwhelming, but there's not enough attention to interact with it, and truth is rare. Artists are less motivated to share their art because every major platform uses it to train AI models. Despite these drawbacks, I'm optimistic about the future. More tools for creation always lead to more original art. Progress rarely considers the temporary damage it causes, all in the name of the greater good. I feel sorry for artists whose identities or styles were stolen by algorithms or just ignorant people, but I hope it will all be worth it in the end, leading to a new Renaissance. Otherwise, we're doomed.

Looking ahead, are there any future projects or collaborations that particularly excite you? What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

I'm currently working on a new body of work called "The Observable Universe" and planning new exhibitions in the US and Europe. It was amazing to put people inside my world during the immersive exhibition in London, and I can't wait to create more ambitious projects. The digital art space is relatively new, and we are yet to see more spaces and museums dedicated to it. And I will be there, smiling at you from the other side of the screen in a colorful and ever-moving world.

Article by Eleonora Pirisi

Images Courtesy of Vollut

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