Mats is an inspired mixed media artist from Norway. He came to Ulule with a project called ” Just King ” , an 80 pages graphic tale he started over 10 years ago. We asked him a few questions about his work and creative process. Check out what he had to say…

Could you give us some insight on your background ? 

My father was an animator and illustrator, so I suppose it’s almost in my blood. He did a few cartoons and a couple of underground comics (from which I stole the Norwegian title to Just King, which is “Kong Lov”). I have done comics and cartoons since I was around 5, probably. Later I started a BA in Graphic Design at Middlesex University in London, but changed to Illustration half way through. I found I could put more of myself in the projects, more of my own ideas. I also learned how to work to a brief and be creative within set boundaries. Afterwards I worked as a designer and animator in an agency. Did a lot of Flash animation stuff. Worked with e-learning. But I dreamed of being a writer. Just King surfaced as a project where I could both address the quasi-intellectual stuff I wanted to write about, as well as draw and design.

You have worked on “Just King” for the past 10 years, what were the ups and downs ? 

I never dreamed it would take this long. In fairness I only worked on it continually for around 4 years. Then I took a long break to do my MA in Digital Art in Baltimore and other projects. The challenge was finding time alongside my design job. I worked maybe 2-3 hours on it, three days a week.

      

In that situation it was hard seeing any progress from day to day, week to week. I also had high, but diffuse ambitions. Wanted to address everything that I had on my mind. It was hard distilling it, cutting to the core. Finding the story in all the metaphorical stuff. 

        

What is your favourite part of the creative process ? 

Usually I like the beginning, when everything is still possible. Then it kind of turns into crap, because everything looks like something YOU did, rather than this “otherworldly” thing you had in your head. I do find it inspiring to address concrete problems though, like technical stuff, learning new software, trying new techniques. I find that this sort of “low level”, everyday inspiration is important to finish huge projects like this since you can’t feel the inspiration for the story and the theme the same way after a while. You need substitute inspiration to be able to finish.

We are very intrigued by this project

subConch demonstration

Could you tell us more about it ? 

This is the subConch, an interactive installation I’m working on. Emotiv Systems put out a consumer priced BCI (brain control interface) headset a while back. I saw this thing on CNN about it, an immediately decided to to some kind of art work with it. I joined an early developer team and created this software that lets you control pitch and other sound characteristics by just thinking it. It’s available as freeware. Now I’m using the software to create a gallery installation.

From your artist perspective, how did you react to the terrorist attack / mass murders in Oslo ? 

That’s a difficult question. It’s still very fresh and sensitive. I would say I reacted more as a human being than as an artist. Shock, disbelief, outrage, grief. Reflecting now as an artist I suppose I feel powerless. Xenophobia is one of the issues I’m trying to address in Just King, but I doubt it’s going to make a lot of difference. It’s a narrow and strange take on the subject, but of course one hopes it will ring true for some readers.

Could you tell us about another project you like, follow or support on Ulule ?

To be honest I haven’t had time to look at too many of the other projects, but I found this kind of fun: http://www.ulule.com/blarg/ and this thing also: http://www.ulule.com/superstreetfire/ I wouldn’t mind trying out.

      

Find out more about Mats’s work on his website, visit his project on Ulule and you might end up with your name in one of those bubbles…