#vjaying

You know that we like to talk about the original creators of the works we use in our videos. We have used a video loop created by SSWIII in our last music video “Eden”. We are very happy to share his universe with you, and SSWIII kindly accepted to answer our questions.

Arena Blanca:

When I first saw this loop I was blown away by the colours and the textures, mixing old film header, and “something” that seem to be moving in a liquid. 

And all of your VJ work is also stunning. Where do you take your inspiration?

SWITZON S. WIGFALL, III:

First and foremost thank you for the kind words Arena!!! (Means alot). I get my inspiration alot from other graphic designers and visual artists like Beeple, G-munk, Ash Thorp and so many more. Beeple was my mentor for years and after awhile I decided to create my own lane creating everyday art renders in Cinema 4D as well as making visuals and vj-loops from some of them (single render frames). After studying and also being inspired by a slap-ton of youtube tutorials showing you how to model and make these insane abstract renders in Cinema 4D and After-Effects I kind of just pushed the pedal to the floor (full throttle) and created my career from it all (starting at the end of 2013)...

AB:

Your art looks very rhythmic. Is there a link between your work and music?

SSWIII:

Absofuckinglutely. I love all music with a passion and curiosity. I know that sounds fucking bland because “everyone loves music”, but I really love music as a whole (the stories behind making it, the motivation, the historic events going on around a piece of music is being made...all of it). I use music as the driving force of my works. I often listen to a diverse range of music from streams to my own vinyl collection while I work and crank up on creating renders in Cinema 4D, After-Effects and more. 

When it comes to creating vj-loops from my single frames of some of my everydays that I feel can be animated, when I add the music (that I think is a good fit for the animation) I think about the style and aesthetic of it alot. I know this sound a little fucking wierd, but when I listen to music I see colors, shapes and abstract forms alot (“synesthesia”).

AB:

Do you perform as a VJ too?

SSWIII:

Yes - I sure do. Vj-ing is definitely another way for me to express myself not only as a A/V performer being influenced and practicing the art of hip-hop mixing my beats (“beatstrumentals”) together with my visuals (vj-loops/clips) but as an opportunity to experiment different effects and techniques that somehow compliment the mood, feel and aesthetic of the music I’m performing with.

It’s super fun because I can just “be myself” as the performer and do whatever I want at any given time with no rules or expectations from anyone whereas when I make custom visual content for other music artists, dj’s, vj’s, content creators and more I definitely follow the guidelines and creative direction of what they’re looking for with their own creations and performances.

VJ-ing is an incredibly beautiful and powerful artform to also move and inspire the masses with. I take great pride in being a part of that culture also.