Meet Helena Papageorgiou // [In]Place
Helena Papageorgiou is the lead artist on [In]Place, a roaming exhibition that draws on the creative output of five visual artists who have worked in collaboration with Helena to transform their work into an interactive motion experience, supported by the Eye Jack app. All five works are presented across Nambour, collectively forming an interactive art trail. We chat to Helena about her work..
Who are you and what do you create?
I am Helena Papageorgiou and I am an Animator, Video Producer, Projection artist and Illustrator. I use these techniques in my augmented reality projects to develop the concepts even further. Having originally studied in a traditional fine art background, I now combine these techniques in the creation of digitally based worlds.
I try to take viewers on a journey from hypnotic iridescent shapes morphing between galaxies to underwater fantastic natural elements. Fluorescent geometric shapes create celestial structures and highlight luminous landscapes that act as a vortex which cycles through a fictional universe of undulating and changing environment.
What materials and techniques do you use?
My work incorporates various stylistic mediums from film, collage, 2D and 3D animation to convey a sense of visual immersion through motion design. I primarily will use digital technology and software like Cinema 4D, After Effects, Photoshop and most recently Animate CC to develop most of my creative works. The combination of these allow for a visual feast of metamorphic images which allow for a condensation of form and perceived meaning.
What kind of inspirations go into your work?
There are so many mediums and platforms to draw inspiration from today, whether it is locally based artists or international stars via visual media like Instagram it can almost be overwhelming. My main inspiration currently would be animation classics like Fantastic Planet, Akira and most Miyazaki movies. Animation has the ability to displace the viewer and warp reality in a strangely parallel sense and this is something that really drives my work.
In what space do you like to create most?
Well, I am primarily based on a computer in my studio but one the most liberating parts of a project is the initial stage when I am in the concept/storyboarding phase because I can take a laptop or a notebook and explore outside. There is a stream near my house that I walk down to when I start a creative process, the walk there and back amongst nature always creates such a great contrast and perspective to the digital world and can be a catalyst for ideas.
What has been your favourite or most important work to date?
Each project has a varying element of incentive and excitement. For me the most important part is to always to learn, challenge, develop and explore. I am constantly trying to push my work into another level with all projects. I recently enjoyed creating live music visuals such as recently as part of Hermitutde’s live performance where I was able to explore a predominantly traditional 2D drawing based morphing animation style. I also loved working as part of BIGSOUND Festival in last 2 years as you have the opportunity to create and collaborate with an incredibly talented pool of visual artists. The InPlace project as part of the Horizon Festival has also become another project like this except I have the opportunity to use augmented reality in this context. Creating music videos for artists is an incredibly free form of telling a condensed visual accompaniment I really enjoy also.
