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| © Amoniak films／Simon Goulet |
Simon Goulet
Born in Quebec, Canada,in 1962 Simon Goulet made fifteen films between 1978 and 1985, a period during which he was influenced by the films and work methods of the NFB. The idea of came to him in 1981. However, he was only able to start work on this project in 1992 when digital technology made it possible to superimpose hundreds of layers of images properly. By filming this cinepainting, Simon Goulet became more interested in painting as a medium. Today his work focuses on the obsession to free the paint from its canvas. is by far his most ambitious project, which took him eleven years to complete.
With , I wanted to experience a moving abstract painting, where paint and cinematography come together to create a "cinepainting". Jets of paint are catapulted into the air and become perceptible to the human eye through high-speed cinematography and computer wizardry. The painting changes with time, and, thus, with the story… So the challenge was to tell a story using liquid paint.
This is not 3-D CG. The wild and powerful dance of colors and forms was made possible by capturing the paints blasted off in the air with super high-speed photography. It had been a number of years before technology caught up with this unique concept. After 11 years of film work, the artist's imagination came to be realized by digital editing. This work visualizes a space beyond the everyday reality that we had never seen and positively suggests the possibilities of profound expression developed by digital technology.
What kind of medium did you choose for your work when the first time you were aware of your "creation"?
Super 8-mm film.
And, how old were you and what did you make?
My very first creation was at 16 years of age when my father purchased a Canon Super 8-mm camera in 1978. Then I made a documentary about skateboarding. I have used this "film" as a medium since then in all its formats.
Do you have any consistent subject matter or theme through your works?
It’s not really a question of theme. More a question of style. In my work, there is a consistent style over three different periods. The first period is my first apprenticeship, which lasted about three years. I gained experience with animation, documentary, and fiction. The second period was influenced by the documentaries of the National Film Board of Canada, a period of about five to six years where I directed a few documentaries with artists. During the third period, my style changed completely, veering toward experimental work, only having my own vision on things through the “movement” created by the camera. This period began in 1987. I experimented with the rhythm through different subjects that were in “motion” when filmed and took care to have something to say in order to bring the spectator from “A” to “B”.
When do you feel the connection with the technology in your creative activity?
What is the difference of the sense of Media Art from the one of traditional fine art?
Technology serves what I need to do. If I need film, I use film. If I need digital tools, I use them.
Media Art versus Fine Art? Both are “fine”!
How does your choice of medium affect on your works?
In another words, what kind of expression does your choice of medium allow you to make?
t really depends on the idea and the way I want to show it afterwards. Actually film, video and digital work well together. The first to shoot, the second to be used as a transfer tool, and the third as a tool to work with and show the work. The digital tools affect my work to make it "cleaner". But I must say that without digital tools, oio would not exist.
Do you feel that your theme of your works and the digital art will change along with the shift of the society?
Who knows? I have new ideas and there are actually tools for them. But it is interesting when no tools exist for a specific need and I also have to create the tool. For example, a “paint catapult”.
What kind of field you are best at in your works?
And how do your works fit within and affect on this society?
Critics should answer this. But, I am good at directing and I use many different methods. I spend a lot of time on the “how”. I “multi-task”. I have a background in marketing, technique and fine art. I have professional experience in all these areas, and love them all when it comes to my work. It affects society in that people have to deal with me for every aspect of the work instead of different specialists who usually represent a specific task or aspect of the project.
What is your motto?
“Keep swinging the bat. Sooner or later you will hit the ball.”
What kind of situation in every day life do you get inspired most?
There is no specific situation. Anything can happen… for example, people say something that connects with something else for me… or from a walk in the forest…
What kind of vision do you have in your future development as the creator?
I hope that I will be able to create throughout my entire life.
Please name of the people or phenomena that you have got most influenced by as the creator.
Jacques Leduc (filmmaker from Montreal)
He said one sentence that has influenced all my work since 1985: "…Simon, you can make it with your heart…” (while talking about a specific project).
Jackson Pollock (American abstract painter from the 30s, 40s and 50s)
I am still totally amazed by his big discovery and his work from 1948 to his death..
Jean-Paul Riopelle (Canadian abstract painter from the same period)
For the same reasons as Mr. Pollock..
Claude-Julie Bourque (friend)
She said: “Keep swinging the bat. Sooner or later you will hit the ball.”
This is my guiding principle.
He said one sentence that has influenced all my work since 1985: "…Simon, you can make it with your heart…” (while talking about a specific project).
Jackson Pollock (American abstract painter from the 30s, 40s and 50s)
I am still totally amazed by his big discovery and his work from 1948 to his death..
Jean-Paul Riopelle (Canadian abstract painter from the same period)
For the same reasons as Mr. Pollock..
Claude-Julie Bourque (friend)
She said: “Keep swinging the bat. Sooner or later you will hit the ball.”
This is my guiding principle.
