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What is your typical day like?
I don’t have a specific routine. My mornings are really slow. I sit with my coffee for at least an hour, sometimes two, most of the time trying to figure out why I’m up again on another day. Every day, I feel like that. After two cigarettes and coffee, I start lurking on the internet aimlessly, looking for anything that sparks my interest. By midday, I start jamming around again, aimlessly switching between making beats, visuals, and reading. It’s a manic process where I have the need to keep myself entertained by creating something new. On average, I create something new almost every day. I won’t say all of them are good, but it keeps me going. When it's a blank and empty day, I like to keep gazing at a simple scenery outside or even at an empty wall until I completely go blank. If it’s not that, I go out to meet my close friends for some drinks and good conversation. |
I work until very late and I wake up late. Usually, I sleep around 2 am and wake up around 10 am. And I repeat the process, wondering why I wake up. For me, every day feels like it’s my last day alive. Don’t take this in a pessimistic way, it’s just that the thought itself gives me enough inspiration to enjoy my day to the fullest, doing what I love and catching moments with my favorite people. |
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Muvindu's studio (2022)
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What makes your brain tick?
Depending on my mood, I find myself drawn to a wide range of things, but there's something about tacky monobloc plastic chairs that really captures my interest. These chairs, with their simplistic design and mass-produced nature, hold a unique charm for me. I recall a particularly memorable encounter with one of these chairs. I stumbled upon it one day while walking along a roadside. It was half broken and weathered, yet someone had taken the time to adorn it with a vibrant, colorful carpet. The juxtaposition of the worn-out chair and the lively carpet was unexpected and intriguing. It blew my mind!
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Could you tell us a little about how you began exploring digital collages as a medium and why?
It was a complete Frankenstein project. The first collage I created was intended to be a meme, but it ended up as something completely new, fresh to my eyes. This was around 2014, I think. After one attempt and then another, I started exploring making collages, simply having the urge to combine local elements in a global context.
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Muvindu's studio (2022) |
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In your work, you tend to engage with a multitude of ideas including gender, sexuality, politics, culture and economy but neither exploration can be confined to a silo. How would you describe your approach to making digital art? Could you describe your process?
It all starts with an emotion. In most cases, it’s rage. If I were not to do any art, I might have been a Serial Killer (haha). I’m a passive misanthrope. I don’t favor humans in mass gatherings, but I’m in love with them as individuals. An individual human is the most beautiful, but we become so synthetic and pretentious in front of others. I don’t have themes or topics in my head when I want to create something; it’s always an emotion. Once I’m done with the creation, I sit with it for days to figure out the context and why I made it. Why digital? Because it saves me a lot of time, and I’m impatient with creating art.
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Left: Muvindu Binoy, 2021, Self Port(trait) City, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 61 x 61 cm, Edition of 10 Right: Muvindu Binoy, 2021, Bubblegum, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 61 x 61 cm, Edition of 10 |
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This exploration with a multitude of ideas seems to also trickle into the music you produce which you have described as a collage of different moods. Can you elaborate further on this?
All of that comes from the same place. I'd sample a tune that I like in the same way I'm using a jpeg fragment for a collage. It's just me taking all my favorite elements in art and putting them into a manic bowl of soup. Sometimes it becomes a magical potion, and sometimes it becomes poison. It's all alchemy.
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Muvindu's latest album Goring |
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What kind of music do you listen to?
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Muvindu during his residency with Hatch (2019)
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Would you agree that your practice is one that constantly adapts and adjusts to the shifts in response to technology, trends and ideas? Could you reflect on how this shapes your vocabulary and practice?
For sure! I always jump in headfirst whenever there's a new piece of technology to create art. I love teaching myself, and I get excited about fancy equipment and tools. But my interest fades fast, and I make sure to carry something new with me to my next quest.
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You have been experimenting extensively with AI. Could you share with us how you are navigating this medium?
It can get tricky if anybody is not willing to have a mutual conversation with AI. It’s not all AI nor all human-made. It’s like having a conversation and creating art with an infant who happens to be a genius. You just slowly describe what you want to create and make sure you leave enough space so the genius child can come up with something new on their own. It’s a collaboration between a mortal soul and an immortal synthesis.
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Muvindu Binoy, 2022, Protest in Colour II, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 19 x 31 cm, Edition of 5
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Left to right Muvindu Binoy, 2022, Protest in Colour VII, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 19 x 31 cm, Edition of 5 Muvindu Binoy, 2022, Protest in Colour X, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 19 x 31 cm, Edition of 5
Muvindu Binoy, 2022, Protest in Colour IX, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 19 x 31 cm, Edition of 5
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You have been reading Charles Bukowski extensively. Could you share with us your fascination with the author? Is there a favourite quote?Bukowski taught me how to handle my alcohol philosophically.
The series Last Page of the Textbook has elements inspired by anime and manga. Could you elaborate a bit on this project and the inspiration behind it?
I created this series while I was in COVID-19 quarantine. I wanted to keep myself stimulated, so I repeatedly consumed films, music, social media, and cartoons all at once. I had the anime Akira on repeat, metal in my ears, my phone in my right hand, and art supplies in my left hand. It was a schizophrenic experience and felt like I was on drugs.
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Left: Muvindu Binoy, 2020, Last Page of the Text Book, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 142 x 107 cm, Edition of 5 Right: Muvindu Binoy, 2020, Influencer 01, Giclée Print on Archival Photo Paper, 142 x 107 cm, Edition of 5 |
What are some of your favourite films and why? How does it feed into making art?
I love the Chucky movie franchise and all of Harmony Korine's films, especially his directorial debut, Gummo.That movie gave me enough energy to continue creating art to this day. Gummo was the film that taught me to break all the rules and step out of my comfort zone. It woke me up, and I haven’t looked back since then.
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What are some of your manga recommendations?
I’m more of an anime fan. Don’t wanna call myself a geek because I’m very selective. My all-time favorite is Shôjo Tsubaki by Suehiro Maruo.
Do you travel often? What has been one of your most memorable trips?
I’m not much of a traveler, but I love any destination where I can be one with the void—just quiet and simply being.
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What are you currently working on?
I have finished a new EP and I’m working on a new image series, as well as in the final stage of my second feature film titled 'Gedara Kawuda / House of Moist.
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Official Trailer of 'Gedara Kawuda / House of Moist' |
As an artist what would you like to experiment with in the immediate future? Do you have a dream project you’d like to work on?
I’m currently in the hype of creating my label of merchandise, from clothing to tangible items. Hoping to bring some edge with wearable pieces.
Portrait of Muvindu (2023) |
