Today, our eyes are so accustomed to observing smooth, clean images that a pixelated photograph is perceived as a resolution error. However, there is a real trend towards pixel art that we can call "Pixel Art" . Between nostalgia and modernity, find the best artists who have marked this movement.
In broad outlines and small squares… An artistic movement that still seduces
Pixel Art emerged in the 1970s with the arrival of computers in homes, and thanks, in large part, to the birth of graphics, particularly video games. Among them were arcade games like Space Invaders and Pac-man. Thanks to progress, more and more people have access to computers and are confronted with pixels every day. The term Pixel is actually much older. Etymologically speaking, the word pixel comes from the abbreviation of two English words "pictures" and "elements." Literally, it can be translated as "image element." Now that this literary anecdote has amazed you, we can move on!
From a technical point of view, the pixel appeared in the 1880s with the arrival of the first screens. These are the points of an electronic image. This invention is due to computer scientist Russel Kirsch, a pioneer of digital imaging.
Pixel art has its roots in ancient art. It could even be said that it's an ancestral technique, as it was already used in mosaics, for example, during antiquity. In reality, these images, made from small colored units, have been found in a number of traditional art techniques over the centuries. In Impressionism, Cubism, and even embroidery.
Visually, Pixel Art has always been present in art, but it was in the 1980s and 2000s that the term emerged, and with it, many artists. Pixel Art is a varied art, rich in proposals and, above all, limitless. The recipe? Imagination, small squares, colors, and that's it (well, almost...)
Are you interested? Here are some of the best pixel artists to inspire you.
The pioneering artists of the movement
Invader: the artist who breaks the codes by including Pixel Art in street art
He was born in Paris in 1969. He studied at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris. He began his career in 1996 in Paris, posting his works on walls, and then he conquered the world by posting them in major international cities. A follower of an “old-fashioned” style, he creates his works from particular materials such as tile mosaics or tesserae.
He defines himself as a public space hacker, spreading a mosaic virus through the streets. His works are not placed randomly. The artist meticulously chooses the ideal location to implant his virus. The artist prefers to exhibit in places with high traffic. Like a website, his virus must be able to penetrate the system. However, he also sometimes chooses more isolated spots. He sees himself as an urban acupuncturist. Each of his works is unique. His characters are first inspired by his childhood game "Space Invader." Today, he is expanding his repertoire to offer us numerous references to pop culture.
Today, he has already created more than 4,000 works in 79 different cities. And yet, no one has ever seen his face! In short, he is a very versatile artist who offers us a mix of street art and pixel art to create unique works of art and seduce the world.
So Invader inspired you as much as it did us?
Pixel Art by the eboy collective
Eboy is a Los Angeles-based collective of Pixel Artists founded in 1997 by Kay Vermehr, Steffen Sauerteig, and Svend Smital (3 from Berlin and 1 from New York). Their complex, “modern” illustrations are always full of cinematic, musical, and cultural references. This results in rich, colorful creations where you can always find a reference that will make you smile. Not to mention their humorous touch that can be found on their various posters. Their works have been declined in t-shirts, souvenirs, and posters. Some are even exhibited in galleries. But think about the transport of artwork !
They started working with pixels because they liked the idea of creating and imagining a universe made of pixels.
They work primarily with Photoshop, but also with the Pen tool. It's a simple tool that works like a pencil. With this process, they create basic elements—trees, houses, and human beings—that they store in a database. Afterward, they compress them in their library and then merge and articulate them together. They stand out in particular for the finesse of their lines, which are very playful.
Very inspired by Pop culture
Their influences are inspired by pop culture: TV, toy commercials, LEGO universe, computer games, news, and magazines. Kai was greatly inspired by the Nintendo universe because he played Nintendo DS. The other members of the band lived in East Germany, where video games were very rare, if not nonexistent.
Their work reflects a colossal investment: "If we're not working on other projects at the same time, it takes about six to eight weeks to complete a very detailed cityscape. Three eBoys work on it, almost full-time. But, if we have to do it in our spare time, which happens a lot, it could take years to finish a photo since we can't dedicate that much time to it." Their style has earned them a cult following among graphic designers worldwide as well as a long list of clients. They've completed other projects like Peecol plastic toys with Kidrobot , and a line of wooden toys is to be produced under their own label. Basically, we're dealing with a versatile, creative and ultra-productive collective, so Cap?
Pointillism and Pixel Art: Ced Vernay
Ced Vernay is a French artist who lives and works in Marseille. He uses the dot or pixel technique. Deeply inspired by Roman art, his work lies somewhere between Roman mosaics and pixels. A blend of modernity and tradition, a form of contemporary pointillism revolving around mathematical concepts.
It's all a bit complicated! But you'll see, it's worth it. A unique contemporary art concept, it draws inspiration from modern art galleries or artists like Andy Warhol, Roman Opalka, and Yayoi Kusama. Doesn't that ring a bell?
These are innovative artists who play with pointillism. Ced Vernay didn't get involved in the world of pixel art coupled with pointillism by chance. He worked for many years in web design and IT. By working with pixels, he aims to question our relationship to the screen but also to explore an abstract and figurative universe.
Pixced an artistic concept and monumental paintings that can be separated to share
The artist has embarked on large-scale projects. One of the characteristics of this atypical work is the assembly of 20 x 20 cm squares, all different, which he calls PixCed.
“Each one is unique, with characters, acronyms, mathematical formulas, drawings from his imagination or associated with things he wanted to say.” It is also a participatory work, in fact you can add your own pixel to the work. Buying one or more PixCed also means being part of a community around a work of art: the Pix'Ced Community. The latter may one day come together to bring these monumental works back to life. Buyers will therefore one day be able to become actors in the reconstruction of the monumental work. In addition, for each pixel purchased, a tree is planted via the Reforest'Action association. Ced VERNAY decided to offer this green gesture to his collectors because he is particularly sensitive to environmental issues. He has always tried to create works where the material is recycled. Pretty great, right? So why not you?
Aire makes its Pixel Art with PIXI Aire
We're so inspired at Aire that we're offering you the chance to create your own custom Pixel Art. Sounds good, right? And yes, we're also fans of Pixel Art (you've probably figured that out!). That's why we launched the Pixi Aire campaign a while ago. It's a Pixel Art game in the form of a puzzle. Depending on your tastes, you can get a kit of 50 black and 50 white pixels or 100 colored pixels. Then let your imagination run wild!
The Pixi Aire has a magnetic attachment system that allows you to hang it on your door or fridge. Of course, the Pixi Aire can also be attached to a pegboard using our 3D parts kit. Bring your ideas to life and spark your creativity by drawing inspiration from the greats of the pixel world. Don't hesitate to repurpose the Pixi Aire to create an original signage solution. Now you can become a true artist and create your own pixel art models or draw inspiration from your favorite references! The Pixi Aire is an infinite puzzle that's easy to set up.
In short
In conclusion, the aesthetic notion of Pixel Art creations is recent. It's a diverse universe, born from techniques as old as the hills. It's an artistic movement that itself includes other artistic movements. In short, it's a super diverse universe that offers content for all tastes. Appreciating Pixel Art means highlighting the beauty of both the graphic pixel images and the technique with which they were created. The beauty of this art lies in its simplicity: arrangements of large blocks of colorful pixels in a square format. Whether you like Pixel Art or not, you have to recognize that this new form of graphic art is a style of expression that is part of pop culture. It has left its mark on its time and will surely continue to leave its mark on generations.
So, are you captivated by the world of Pixel Art? Let's get started!
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