Who are you?
Hello, my name is Mari Takahashi. I live in Japan and create 3DCG and pixel art on 8bidou under the handle mare-mon.
When did you start making art?
It is difficult to answer this question because art is hard to define, but I have loved to draw, sew, cook, and creating since I was a child. I studied nutrition in university, which has nothing to do with art, but now that I think about it, I have always loved using computers to create graphics. I’ve been working as a freelance graphic designer, 3DCG artist and art director ever since I graduated, and I have enjoyed creating especially recently. Thanks to NFTs and the community.
How did you first hear about Tezos?
One of my friends told me about Hic et Nunc. I was planning on using the Ethereum marketplace since I got a Foundation invite, but when I looked into Tezos, I found that it was more permanent than any blockchain and had great potential as a marketplace. The underground atmosphere of Hic et Nunc was also very appealing to me. I also think it is great that there are places like 8bidou, FxHash and Hen Radio where people can genuinely create something and be appreciated.
Why do you love 3D animation?
To be honest, it is only recently that I started learning character animation. (Perhaps the pandemic has given me more time at home, so I’m finally motivated to give it a try.) Now I’m realizing how difficult and deep animation is, and it is the most important part of the process. I would like to make a work with motion on 8bidou as well.
What inspires your works?
Everything.
I can’t come up with a very good word for it, but I think it’s all connected and going in the direction it should be going.
As well as animations you have also made some works on 8Bidou. Tell us more about that.
Animation is just one of the things I want to do. While 3D works are not limited in resolution or number of colors, 8×8 is a very tiny canvas and all the limitations make it an engrossing challenge.
After the human race is destroyed, someone in the future may re-render the 8×8 canvas based on the information inscribed in the Tezos blockchain. I think many 8bidou creators are having fun creating their works, but someone in the future might seriously consider it and take statistics. It is fun to imagine such a figure.
What do you look to accomplish when you make an 8×8 work?
I try to use colors I don’t usually use and try to create new color palettes. I also enjoy the process of creating regularity in my own way.
In 3DCG, I often collect references, but in 8×8 work, I make a rule not to look at any references.
Outside of art do you have any other hobbies or passions?
In my free time, I like to go hiking, baking, and gardening. I also like to travel abroad, but have not been able to go recently due to the pandemic.
What are your future artistic goals?
I would like to make games and start selling goods not only NFTs. I have a lot of things I would like to experiment with in the future, including trying something similar to node-based generative art. I’m excited about all of them!
Is there anyone you want to shoutout?
To all those involved in the development of graphics boards, CPUs and other hardware and CG software! Thanks to all of you, I am now able to make my work at home in this way. Thank you very much.
Anything else?
I’m very grateful for such a wonderful opportunity.