ARTIST PORTRAIT
The man behind 013a is Matei Apostolescu, a 23-year-old graphic designer and illustrator living in Bucharest, Romania. With a classical music and graffiti background, he started designing only three years ago. He has since completed various projects involving illustration, web design and motion animation. Last year, he established his own design studio in Bucharest. Matei finds great inspiration in literature and the visual universe of his own childhood in the post-Communist epoch. In only a short space of time, 013a has become one of the absolute darlings of today’s graphic scene, and with his very recognizable style - a mix of analogue and computer art - Matei consistently pushes the boundaries of visual communication. His often experimental and challenging work can be seen on book covers , magazines, ads, posters, boards and on clothing.
INTERVIEW
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
A lot of things but especially technology and the ever changing complexity
of the world we live in.
DID IT TAKE LONG TO FIND YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
I never tried to have one specific style - I just let it happen. Most of my work is freestyle.
DO YOU START SKETCHING ON PAPER OR DO YOU WORK DIRECTLY ON THE COMPUTER?
I start with very detailed drawings made with rotring pens, scan them in and process them in Photoshop.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO AT THE MOMENT?
Most of the time, I listen to IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) and electronic music.
DO YOU READ DESIGN MAGAZINES?
I love Computer Arts magazine, and I read a lot of art blogs on the web.
WHICH PROJECT HAS GIVEN YOU THE MOST SATISFACTION?
The 115 digital art gallery in Bucharest. I`m one of the founders and I didn’t expect it to grow so fast. We made a lot of noise with this project in Romania and on the web.
DO YOU DISCUSS YOUR WORK WITH OTHER ARTISTS?
Of course. I get masses of feedback from various forums / art groups. There’s a lot of idea sharing going on via the internet right now and to me this is a great way of learning and understanding what’s going on around me.
WHAT INTERESTS YOU MOST IN THE COKE SIDE OF LIFE REMIX PROJECT?
I was always fascinated by the classic Coca-Cola posters, so the chance to work with such important historical material really meant a lot for my skills and future development.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE IN YOUR REMIX ARTWORK?
Love & understanding the idea of love.
IS IT DIFFICULT TO COME UP WITH ARTWORKS THAT FIT A THEME?
Not really. I think it’s an exercise of putting things into perspective and understanding how to transmit a certain message or feeling to someone else.
WHAT'S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM PROJECT AS AN ARTIST?
Well, this may sound strange, but it’s a one billion dollar movie. The way I see it, this would be the biggest artistic collaboration in human history.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
In a beautiful place on the Danube, at the Cetate Cultural Port – a cool spot for relaxation and the best food on earth.
