Artist Answers x Leo Angelo

Q: Why and how do you do art?

A: I'm sure there might be many good answers to that question. The first one to appear to me was that beauty is the only thing with self-evident purpose, something that doesn't require argument. So as one grew tired of arguing for the ultimate purpose of one's work, one did turn towards optimising for beauty, creating beauty. Art as one might grow to appreciate is in a sense an ultimate beauty, its obsession with beauty left to refining itself over a long time. In this process the beauty moves away from the obviously attractive to a refinement, a certain aesthetic develops.

Another, that is also relevant to my work, is for art to be a kind of tool for the purpose of knowing thyself. A tool for reflection and self-discovery through emergent interpretation. So starting without ideas, only form, a kind of self-forming matter rich in complexity and computational irreducibility (meaning both output of silicon based computers and that of natural processes e.g. clouds), leading to emergent patterns allowing for the discovery of personal meaning. This then gets used as the starting point for further refinement and expression. So looking within myself by this method of spontaneous pure interpretation, finding form that sparks interest and then refining and polishing over (much) time that which has been found.

Q: Why do you think art and looking at it isn't a waste of time?

A: Possible benefits include reduced boredom, insight into oneself, inspiration. Though, it might be said looking at a piece for a second will hardly change you and your outlook and perspective for good at all. If a piece strikes a chord with you, consider coming back for it or, if you prefer, downloading it, using it as a wallpaper digitally or even better, giving it permanence by getting it professionally printed and living with it in your home.