Brazil is trying to call us. I think we need to go over there soon to check out the massive amount of talent that steadily flows from the country. Recently we got in contact with Felipe Cretella. Felipe is an art-director/artist/photographer from São Paulo, looking for a way to get around and showcase his work to the world. Seeing that isn't easy to do in Brasil, like many Brasilians, he is looking for a way to do this outside of the country.
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Felipe's works are interesting. His work as an art-director is very much that, work. His creative outlets seem very versatile. Lightpainting, play with symmetry and movement. For example, check out the amazing asbestos series based on one of the most famous buildings in São Paulo. Dynamic is the word. Today we'll try and uncover what moves this artist, and we hope to see much more of him in the future.
Nevertheless, I try to bring my flair to it. Artistic activity helps me find different solutions faster.
We read that you are from São Paulo, Brazil, how was it growing up there and how did the city influence your work?
São Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world, although you don't know any better when you are growing up. Things seem to move faster in a big town. There are more people, more buildings, more movement, more shadows and more lights.
Football is a present thing through you whole life. In Brazil we have 5 main dates throughout the year. Carnaval, Festa Junina, Christmas, New year and Brazil Football mach days. In the world cup the streets of a city with 11 million inhabitants are empty.
Growing up in a big city is to have many options of leisure. In São Paulo we learn to grow living in contrasts. A short walk through the city centre will reveal different accents and cultures. I descend from Italian and Portuguese, in São Paulo I'm just another descendant from immigrants. Japan, Spain, Germany, France, Holland, Middle east, Amazon, ParaÃba, Pernambuco... We are so rich in culture, but we still have to learn to understand, respect and value that. My experience of São Paulo is a direct influence. Living and feelings lead the way to my expression.
Tell us about your work as a photographer, did you just picked up a camera and educate yourself?
In 2005 I began experimenting with photography. I entered a short course at MAM São Paulo called "Luz marginal procura corpo vago" Gal Oppido is the photographer who ministered the course. Since then I began trying to develop my own language. All images you see are only one picture. No digital editing of any kind. No double/multiple exposure. One click.
You do a lot with (abstract) light painting, what moves you to do this?
I believe that our body can express a lot through movement, and I also believe that registering light in a timeline form can reveal hidden properties from it. By changing rhythm and intensity I can find variations of colours and textures. It is possible to bend Landscapes or use it as colour pallets. Light is energy, so is movement. I search for the relation between them. Light in movement tells a history, and it´s path show my expression.
What does (dis)symmetry mean to your work?
Reflecting landscapes always caught my eyes.
To me they are portals. Asbesto was the entrance to my own reflecting horizons.
Dis symmetry is braking patterns and letting go.
You are both a photographer/artist and art-director. Your personal work seems to differ a lot from your commercial work, how come?
This is a flash experiment Called "Olho" meaning Eye. It was created in 2005. These where rhythm, form, movement and perspective experiments. Just pure experiment.
Several months later in 2007, the agency Talent came with a Sony Ericsson briefing. To "create and produce 4 rich media online pieces, to be presented to the client in 3 days". That was an insane briefing. So, in the creative process, my partners in Starpix, Ciro Pompeu, Leandro Pasini and I, got to the concept of visually representing music as well as creating a soundtrack to each of the 4 pieces. Movement of images had to be sharp and on the beat. The interactions had to feel like taking the phone from the stand, and moving it around.
These peaces are presented to you exactly the way it was published.
This is the relation between my personal expression, and my professional work.
When it´s my personal work, I´m studying, experimenting, trying to evolve in my technique or expressing. I try and let it flow. When it is professional work, It is all I know with a very clear goal, aiming at a specific target, working in team, following visual standards and Identity, with the approval from many different people. Nevertheless, I try to bring my flair to it. Artistic activity helps me find different solutions faster.
You've mentioned to us that it's difficult to grow as an artist in Brazil. This was not the first time we heard that. Why do you think it is so hard?
I know there is a lack of interest and support. I feel that artists are not respected.
What influences you?
In my expression, different things move me to different but complementary objectives. I want to find in light textures I see in paintings, vibrations I hear in music. Other artists are very much an influence and so are elements from nature, dynamics from the universe or daily thoughts.
Pollock and Hendrix where an inspiration to "De noite, na minha cabeça / At night, in my head" two Series from 2007. Images from Hubble and a song called Get Miles by Gomez inspired me to a series called "Images from distant Galaxies" from 2009. There is a picture from a series called "Urban elements" but that one I´ll leave to people to try to find out what has influenced me ;)
What can we expect from you in the future?
I´m ready to new challenges. New experiences in personal and professional levels. These new ways will tell us that."
http://www.felipecretella.com.br/eng/
