@helmut_breineder

Instagram: @helmut_breineder Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/helmutbreineder Website: www.helmutbreineder.de  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I was born in Austria, in a small village close to Graz and Vienna. My parents had a little hotel in the village, so i grew up with unlimited supply of chocolate and ice-cream. Later i studied Multi Media Arts at University of Applied Sciences in Salzburg Austria, which i didn't finish, because i kind of hated living in Salzburg, because it felt very narrow minded. From there i moved to London to learn more about movie making in various short courses and workshops. At the same time i started shooting experimental videos inspired by the work of the director Jan Svankmajer, and started working as a VJ in a club in East Londons Brick Lane. After that, i moved back to Vienna and worked as an editor for a TV Program. Then i decided to go to Sao Paulo, shooting my own independent documentary film about Japanese immigration in Brazil. After i finished the documentary i stayed 10 more years in Brazil, because i really loved living there and met so many great people. I was lucky to get a job in the biggest post-production company of Sao Paulo at that time, where i learned a lot about Vfx and animation.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

My visual style changes over time, as i really enjoy experimenting with new techniques and different visual approaches. Usually i try create something with a sense of humor in a very graphic way.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

Its a mixture of 2D and 3D work, motion design and Vfx. But the 3D Animation is taking over now as i am getting better in it. I think 3D is fascinating, because it gives you the feeling that you could do anything with it, if you just dig deep enough into all the tools.

4. What is your artistic process like?

Inspiration can come from anywhere anytime. Mostly i try to see something funny in things or situations to entertain myself and others. To find an idea i usually look at something and start altering and modifying it until it gets more interesting to me, and starts revealing something else or new. Playing with different interpretations of the same thing helps me seeing things in so many new ways. Thats something i feed my curious brain with.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

Like i mentioned before it could be anything, whe i feel inspired myself. I think one things that inspires me a lot is talking to friends, or having a great conversation with somebody interesting. There is just too much people who inspired me to mention all, but i can name a few: Erwin Wurm, James Turell, Nagi Noda, Hieronymos Bosch, Frederico Fellini, David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Alejandro Jodorowski, Werner Herzog, Hayao Miyazaki, Jan Svankmajer, Some Animation / Design Studios that inpired me over time: Pleix, Zeitguised, Lobo, Dvein

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

It keeps me curious and excited and it constantly helps seeing things in a new way. It also keeps the child inside alive.

7. Where did you study?

Multi Media Arts at University of Applied Sciences in Salzburg, Austria.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I enjoy being a freelancer because of the freedom it gives you, so in 5 years i might be still an Art Director / Motion Designer freelancer.

9. What about in ten?

In a house sourounded by beautiful nature.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

Mainly make people smile, or go "WTF“.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

I stopped eating meat, so many things that had been my favourites are not on the plate anymore. My favourite food depends on the day, sometimes Italian, one day Japanese, one day Vietnamese and of course sometimes Austrian knödles.

12. Favourite book?

Favourite something i always find difficult to answer, here are some: Catch 22, Slaughter House 5, Water Music, Oblomow, Crime and Punishment, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

13. Favourite genre of music?

ambient, downtempo, minimal techno, industrial, psychadelic rock, hip hop.

14. What are your hobbies?

Mainly talking to friends about everything, watching my daughter growing and learning to express herself more day by day, eating sweet things after physical exercise, riding my folding bike without ever folding it, diving once in e very while, I want to start making music again.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

I am not an Artist, but i would like to be one.