Discovering Digital Creators — Interview with Gabriel Massan

Gabriel Massan is a Brazilian creative based in Berlin. His work is characterised by the use of colourful glassmorphism and semi-abstract shapes. Gabriel is inspired by a diverse range of social issues that are represented and explored in many of their artworks. Gabriel is also interested in exploring and creating digital worlds and mentioned being eager on getting his first solo exhibition.

Tell me about you and how you got into digital art? And why?

My name is Gabriel Massan, I am 24 years old, and I have been living in Berlin, Germany since the beginning of 2020. I am originally from Nilópolis, a small town in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. My studies in art come from Video Art, initially from a desire to create narratives. I began with 2D, Illustrations and Video performance. At the moment of my graduation, I found myself in a great need to visually dismember my body from my work, after experiences of violence and institutional racism. I sought to give new values to the signs of the society I used to belong to, creating new ecosystems, and this was possible when I came across 3D and augmented reality.

2.What is the inspiration behind your work?

I believe that it stems from an imaginary idea of the accesses I could have before the trauma of colonization. I create images that draw me closer to what I believe to be ancestral, it is about creating a culture, where my pillars are independent of western bases.

3.What is your creative process?

Usually, it is by experimentation, but it depends, sometimes it is about a writing exercise and research, for then the sculpture development, or sometimes by the free manifestation of my unconsciousness. I can start on the computer or in my notebook. First I sculpt, then I paint, then I build a scenario and the scene. After the image is rendered, I manipulate, or edit, delving into the narrative.

4. Is there any particular piece of art that you feel very connected to (from your creation or someone else’s)?

I have a list of works that captivate me. But I think I’ve been revisiting my fascination with Serial Experiments Lain.

5.What is unique about it? Or What is the story behind it?

I believe the way time is worked outcomes pretty close to how I’ve been interpreting my life. I often wonder about the non-linearity of facts and the possibility of distorting planes and dimensions. Where are we?

6.Where do you see your work going in the future?

I would like to return to Brazil creating large universes to be explored, both digitally and physically. But I think I need to navigate a bit first. My goal right now is my first institutional solo exhibition and to put more animations on giant screens around the world.

7.Are there any other digital artists you admire? Why?

A lot of them! Especially those of this generation! In animation, the first is Jeron Braxton, his work moves me. I’m also inspired by Sam Rolfes, Frank Dorrey, Tissue Hunter, Camila Roriz, Loreng, Ida Lissner, Occulted, Tyler Cala, Salves, Teng Yung Han, Jingxin Wang, Garon Ganut, Igi Ayedun, Joao Moxca and Enantios Dromos.

8. How about writers or movie directors?

I love directors more than writers. Among the writers, I like Ventura Profana, Jota Mombaça and Castiel Vitorino Brasileiro. As for the directors, Akira Kurosawa and Tsai Ming Liang are my favourites.

9. Do you also collect digital art?

I haven’t started collecting yet, I’m slowly getting the hang of it.

10.Where do you see the NFT and digital market going in the future?

I believe that a more solid escape from social networks for digital artists, and fortunately, the horizon is infinite and unimaginable.

11.Are you planning to collaborate more with other creatives?

Yes, at this moment I’m looking to decrease the number of commissioned works to dive back into my own research, and I believe without a shadow of a doubt that this new phase will be marked by many collaborations. I’ve already contacted some of my favourites, I’m counting on time for each one of these wishes to be fulfilled!

13.Any recommendations for new artists entering the digital NFT space?

I waited a long time to publish my first NFT, I believe I was choked with uncertainty, but a slight impulse got me through that step. This moment marked my career from a personal point of view. I feel optimistic about the new possibilities and opening this door made me want to live my art in a different way, more independent and passionate.