1. How would you describe your artistic style in three words?
Vision, craft, talent
2. What has been your greatest source of inspiration recently?
Recently, there are many sources of inspiration. We watch a lot of films, attend shows, and interact frequently with what is happening visually in the world. We believe that now, more than ever, it’s important to stay connected to a wide variety of information and inspiration.
3. What was the defining moment that made you realize you wanted to be a professional artist?
In our case, it’s been a long journey, and it’s hard to pinpoint a specific moment. We could rather talk about a journey that has been quite long. It started in high school, then continued with art University, followed by our time in the advertising industry where we worked as creatives and art directors. After that, we excelled in the execution phase of concepts, where we left our creative mark as much as possible. Now, we find ourselves here, very proud of the absolutely remarkable results we’ve achieved over the years, and we look to the future with great energy.
4. If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
One of our virtual mentors was Erwin Olaf. If we had the chance to meet him, we might have held him back for a little conversation. He was such a giant in this industry during the time we were developing that it’s impossible not to have been deeply inspired by him.
5. Is there a specific message or emotion you hope to convey through your works?
We work extensively in the field of advertising. In a way, the message we aim to communicate is always closely tied to the concept of the specific product campaign. One of our core beliefs is to find the best visual expression for that concept. Although we are one of the top 3D studios in the world, we don’t start with the preconceived idea that everything should be done in 3D. Some things may look much better when they are real, or some things work perfectly as a mix. We have everything under the same umbrella, which allows us to execute each concept in a highly customised way.
6. What is the artistic project you are most proud of so far?
This year, we worked on two artistic projects, both non-commercial. One of them defines us conceptually, while for the other, we were invited to participate. For both, we tried to showcase our vision and talent in a way that, let’s say, might not always be possible in the advertising field. We were incredibly honoured to be invited to participate in a project that is immense in both aesthetic and cultural terms. It was organised by one of the most well-known stylists in Romania – Ovidiu Buta, along with one of the most talented and renowned set designers in the country – Doina Levintza. The project featured numerous works, with a highly sophisticated curatorial system—an iconic endeavour for the Eastern European cultural scene and beyond.
7. How do you keep your creativity fresh and innovative?
In our field, you have to be like a visual sponge. Nothing around you is useless. We are living in a time of changes and adjustments. All the more, we believe that the blend between classic and contemporary is essential today. The more open you are to both, the better you can adapt and understand where creativity may go in the coming years.
8. What are the main obstacles you’ve had to overcome in your artistic journey?
We can say that we’ve been quite fortunate to participate in beautiful projects that have also had reasonably decent budgets. It’s very difficult to aim to move mountains with very few resources. In the times we live in, things are so delicate, and styles are so easily critiqued that any craft that doesn’t look good right away is immediately rejected. We have a clear philosophy: as long as we enter a project, it means we can take it where we want it to go. The budget or other obstacles don’t matter. If there are issues, then we should be informed from the start about what the problems are. If they can be resolved, we’ll move forward; if not, we prefer not to take on the project.
9. What advice would you give to someone trying to break into the art world?
They should work hard and with passion. They should not create things that are ugly or uncertain. They should keep the draft regardless of the situation if they have chosen to enter a project. The rest will come naturally.
10. Is there a technique or medium you’d like to explore more in the future?
It’s a difficult question to answer. As a studio, that’s exactly our strength: to leverage all the techniques that emerge. We use them independently or mix them together. We believe that in the future, we want to maintain this fresh feeling and enjoy working with any technique.
11. Where do you draw inspiration for your creative projects? Are there personal passions or do you believe your background influences your work in some way?
We believe it’s a combination. However, our background helps us immensely. The fact that we have a vast visual repertoire built over the years, combined with our experience in advertising agencies as creatives and art directors, we think plays a significant role in our success. We feel very comfortable in this environment; we understand it and love it.
12. What passions do you have outside of art, and how do these passions reflect in your creations?
We have many passions. Some are quite common. Let’s say we have a passion for living each moment to the fullest, for analyzing every experience. We enjoy experiences, whether they are ordinary or more extravagant. We believe it’s very important to keep our eyes open to the world around us.
13. What is the place, real or imagined, that inspires you the most?
Everywhere. On each corner, every landscape. Every emotion.
14. Is there a cultural, historical, or contemporary icon who has had a significant impact on your artistic journey?
We’re not sure, but it’s possible. We believe that having Latin blood may slightly influence our way of expression.
15. Can you tell us about a recent experience that gave a new spark to your creativity?
Some rain in the downtown. Amazing how things are melting. And how reflexions are working.
16. What books, films, or music are a constant source of inspiration for you?
We frequently buy art books featuring contemporary artists. It’s hard to name just one right now. Each has their own area of expression, contributes something to society, and has a personal approach. It’s a way for us to stay connected with art and society at the same time.
17. When you feel creatively blocked, what do you do to regain inspiration?
Let’s look around. We open a book. Maybe a trip or a more relaxed conversation with friends can bring exactly what we need.
18. Is there a project or collaboration that has truly reflected your personal passions?
It’s not just one. We believe that if someone wants to see the coastal personality, they need to observe a larger number of works. We are visual creators who express our artistic personality over seasons and not just in a single film.
19. How do you translate your emotions and passions into a visual language that can also resonate with brands?
We have a different philosophy. What’s important is that we like it ourselves. We must be proud of what we have done with the result. At the same time, we need to be honest with ourselves and with our partners and clients. We should express where we still want to work. Our philosophy is clear: there is only the team, and not someone delivering something to someone else. In advertising, it is precisely this teamwork that creates things that keep up with the times and even surpass their own time.
20. What meaning do you attribute to the creative process compared to the final result?
Its more like a word – Journey
21. What role does failure or mistakes play in your creative process?
Every project is unique. Recipes cannot be applied. This is the world we live in. Because of this, each project is like a chapter that needs to be uncovered. It’s clear that some things may not work out the first time. That’s the beauty of it: to struggle and, with a clear vision, to ensure that everything arrives beautifully at its destination.
22. What drives you to explore new mediums, and how have new technologies transformed your creative process?
We like novelty and we are not afraid of it. The fact that we combine and mix CGI with photography or other technologies makes us more open to new things. We see every discovery as a new tool that we need to align with our vision and the needs of the concept.
23. Where does your passion for art come from?
It’s something you’re born with. Our passion doesn’t allow us to create anything ugly. Our passion for beauty, in any form, guides our artistic vision and gives us the energy to move forward with strength.
24. Is there a recurring theme that runs through all of your work?
No, it’s not. We actually enjoy playing with a wide variety of different themes.
25. Is there a work you’d like to create but haven’t found the way to yet?
Yes, We mean any theme is worth revisiting. Time changes perspectives, so each time, any theme represents something new for us. Something to explore, maybe to approach differently.
26. How do you decide when a piece is truly finished?
The moment when we are truly excited about what we’ve created, and at the same time, when those we work with—the creative team and the client—are just as happy.
27. What role do you think art plays in today’s society?
We believe that more than ever, things in ART are so intertwined that it’s difficult to clearly separate anything at the moment. We think that art and creativity play a significant role in society, across all fields. Today, art takes on various forms, both classic and at the boundaries of scientific human knowledge.
