[DIGITAL ART.... OR BULLSHIT?]
We put Chinese artist Lei Lei to the test

February 14th 2012

By AMUSEMENT

The web is overcrowded by digitalis-arty visual works that you can find on every blogs and websites. Between lazy photoshop manipulations and true artistic approaches, difficult to sort out. But AMUSEMENT does, by giving chances to artist to convince the most skeptical. So, digital art or bullshit? After Jon Rafman, it’s now time for chinese artist Lei Lei to be reviewed with his “nudist” video : “My… My….”

Now that Vimeo is the new MySpace of independent animation, users do not know where to turn. Between 3D digital animation and purified cartoons, the network is saturated with creations of all kinds. Chinese artist Lei Lei breaks the rules. He only has one wish: to produce one or two shorts every year and travel the world to show them in festivals. Without any pretention, his work is very far from fast food digital art. In his video “My … My …” for example, the artist shows a traditional technique, at the service of a psychedelic world. There isn’t any script but some details are supposed to hit the watcher. Easiness or genuine artistic approach? Meeting with the artist.

Which artistic forms inspire you ?

When I was kid, I liked video games and you can recognize it in my animations. I also like the chinese books design from 80′s in China. The colors used by the designer were warm and amazing. It’s what I try to reach with mine.

How do you describe your graphic style? I always hope to do something “different”. I have never wanted to be “standard”, I just want to do something original.

Does “digital art” means something for you?

My animations are mainly low-tech. I have always wanted to learn something more but my work is traditional. Digital is more a tool to share my work, not really to produce it in fact.

In your video My … My … the characters seem to love being naked, is that something you like? (laugh)

Yes, sure. But only when I am taking a bath!

Why such a psychedelic story ? Is there a hidden message?

It’s a total freestyle. There is no story script. But there may be some interesting details so open your eyes and be attentive.

Today, how is your collective Raydesign evolving? Could you tell me more about it?

Raydesign was founded in 2005, and it’s just two people, my girlfriend and I. We are both freelance, independent animation directors, designers. Sometimes we do some projects together, sometimes not. Today, working in the indie animation is very hard. You have to stay focus to continue what you do. Actually, I don’t know anything about the future, I just hope I’ll be able to finish my next animation.