MILAN | ITALY
Rodolfo Valenti, known as VIDEOPLASM, is a visual artist whose work merges the worlds of electronic music and digital art. His unique ability to transform sound into dynamic visual displays sets his work apart in the realm of audio-visual art. Through the VIDEOPLASM project, Valenti explores the boundaries of technology and creativity, creating impressive visual experiences that captivate audiences. In this exclusive interview, Rodolfo shares his artistic journey, inspiration, and vision for the future of digital art.
HOW DID YOU START YOUR ARTISTIC CAREER AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE VIDEOPLASM PROJECT?
My background in electronic music creation has shaped my approach to visual arts, which initially started as an audio-visual endeavor. It was incredibly easy to share music via Soundcloud, but YouTube allowed users to contribute audio-visual content. I used to produce electronic music for fun and was involved in compilations and web streams from independent netlabels. I began by doing graphics for my own music, but soon I was asked to create graphics for other people's music as well, and eventually I got into video editing. I began my career as a VJ in Rome, playing at small festivals and parties. Over time, I gathered audio-visual projects with interesting musicians and record labels. After moving to Milan, I worked for prestigious lighting design studios and in the clubbing scene, producing visual and lighting shows. Everything originates with electronic music and the idea to convert the sound into animated visuals.
YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE COMBINES MOTION GRAPHICS, 3D ANIMATIONS, AND LIVE CINEMA. WHICH TECHNOLOGIES AND SOFTWARE TOOLS DO YOU USE MOST FREQUENTLY IN YOUR WORK AND WHY?
The Adobe suite contains most of the tools used to create videos, but my personal favorite is Resolume Arena. It operates using multi-blending layers and columns, each having their own racks of effects. It functions similarly to a director's room where you assemble previously created video in After Effects and Cinema 4D/Blender. It has generative and audio-reactive tools that let you shape the visual content according to the audio's frequencies. The last step of the creation process is using Adobe Premiere to edit the content that has been combined in Resolume.
THE "3023" PROJECT EXPLORES THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE CREATIVE PROCESS BEHIND THIS PROJECT, HOW YOU CAME UP WITH THE IDEA TO USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND WHAT MESSAGES OR EMOTIONS YOU AIM TO CONVEY THROUGH THIS WORK?
First off, AI is just a tool now. It can't replace human abilities, but it may enhance the creative process in which humans are still in charge of this potent apparatus. The argument is very similar to previous conflicts between analog and digital, genuine synths and DAWs with virtual plug-ins. These kinds of discussions have been held in every creative age, with the appropriate and sensible application of technology always emerging victorious.
The '3023' collection originated as a visual design-related approach to AI. The primary inspiration for my text prompts, which incorporate science fiction and cyber components into human-populated cities, came from my logo designed by Number 3 (Paul Nicholson, graphic designer for Aphex Twin, Marc Acardipane, and Skrillex). I used a cascade generating approach to train the AI. I was searching for individuals experiencing the nightlife of a city designed according to my concept, complete with cyberpunk characteristics and floating buildings. To arrive at a final collection of 40 pictures, the employed methodology produced, constructed, blended, and edited approximately 800 illustrations. Each piece of art in the '3023' collection is like a missing part of this miniature cosmos, connecting with others and telling a story through graphic design alone. “Chronicles from 3023 ” is the most exhibited work and it’s the story of two civilizations that team up to defend their system from the invasion of the evil strength. The 25 artworks of the composition are distributed on 4 lines from right to left and from up to down, and every line is a chapter of the tale. The artwork was also included in a book.
YOUR WORKS HAVE BEEN EXHIBITED AT VARIOUS EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS. WHICH PERFORMANCES OR EXHIBITIONS HAVE BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FOR YOU AND WHY?
My first solo show at QUO in Milan lasted for two weeks, and I had the chance to introduce "3023" and discuss the meaning of the collection as well as the creative process. Titan Gaming offers a selection of drawings in addition to online games and card/role games. The guys at Metagate Milano have created a parallel exhibition in the metaverse for this show, where you can experience extra content in augmented reality and see my avatar promoting the project. The "3023" look is highly appropriate for the location and appeals to the gaming community's vision.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL ARTS IN THE FUTURE AND WHICH NEW TECHNOLOGIES EXCITE YOU THE MOST?
Regarding the technologies we possess, there are countless opportunities. While kinetic technology was at its peak ten years ago, AI is now being used to produce things that we can see. It feels like living on the brink of something fantastic, always anticipating the next big thing.
BESIDES VISUAL ARTS, YOU ALSO WORK ON MUSIC VIDEOS FOR ELECTRONIC MUSIC LABELS, DJS, AND PRODUCERS. HOW DOES MUSIC INFLUENCE THE SHAPING OF YOUR VISUAL EXPRESSION?
Synaesthesia has always moved everything; it is the ability to convert rhythm and sound into pictures, colors, and forms. In this sense, my style and language have been greatly influenced by music. Although there have been many influences, if one were to look back over the techno scene a few years ago, each VJ had a distinct mark of their own. It was crucial for me to push my style beyond its limitations and experiment with new forms; each visual work was a development from the last and a new step toward the solidification of my language. I used to create videos sometimes when I had to follow certain rules and not really utilize my own style, and other times I would model my style after a particular artist or band to create a shared audio-visual identity.
"PLANETARIUM" from the "Urban Spaces" series & "THE GUESTLIST" from the "People of the night" series
Rodolfo Valenti takes us on a fascinating journey through his creative process, where electronic music, visual arts, and the latest technologies intersect. His passion for innovation and dedication to art are reflected in every piece he creates. The VIDEOPLASM project is not just art, but an experience that bridges different worlds and brings a new dimension to perception. We look forward to the future works of this talented artist and can't wait to see what other wonders await us from his creative workshop.
Photos: VIDEOPLASM