Say Hello to Vello (VJ V2) [Feature Interview]

Vello Virkhaus [Vsquared Labs]: Official

Say Hello to Vello Virkhaus of Vsquared Labs, the world's leading creator in internationally renowned visual experiences for live entertainment and brand activation. He has worked with a number of your favorite artists ranging from Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Sting to electronic ground breaking acts such as Amon Tobin and Infected Mushroom. Large scale festivals such as Coachella, Ultra, and this weekend's Electric Daisy Carnival, cannot go a show without the visuals of VJ V2 and if you have been in attendance at any of these events you know exactly why. His visuals are stimulating and energizing. The images are always inspiring. We caught up with V2 during all of the Indio desert madness and in preparation for this weekends installment of some more desert fun we'll give you a sneak peak inside of the creators brain. Without further adue, we present you Vello Virkhaus.
[e]ccentric: What surroundings and influences in life inspire you to create the images that illuminate the best of the best concerts and festivals worldwide? What specific visual medium first inspired you to create, if any, and what were your premiere concert experiences that energized you to immerse into motion graphics/animations?


Vello Virkhaus (V2): The first visual medium that inspired me to create was painting. My grandfather Dord Fitz was a huge Early creative influence and taught me so many things about being an artist early on in my life. I always wanted to be an artist. For me inspiration comes from nature. I love biology, and in another life would have become a biological illustrator. Some days I feel as if the sun itself is my source of inspiration.

I can't point my finger to one particular concert experience that gave me the VJ bug.. However I did watch the wall and heavy metal numerous times. As an artist I was most inspired to create wildly abstract visual art by seeing the works of Fluxus, and especially Nam Jun Paik. He was my idol in Art School.

e: How do you imagine the things you produce? Do you sketch things out for a big project or do you go straight to modeling in the computer? Please describe the process in which you convert the feelings and sounds of audio into visual imagery. I understand that you have developed your own "sync mapping" software and performance tools that only you and a couple others are qualified to operate. How many other crew members are in the V2 labs assisting you in assembling these optical landmarks and what exactly are their roles


V2: The creative process for me always starts with pencil and paper and internet reference research. I find that going straight to the computer for 3D modeling is not the best first choice. I typically try to hunt for imagery that relates to the music I would be creating visual works to. I assemble these collections of imagery together into mood boards. These essence designs are a great jumping off point for written creative and more elaborate storyboards. Once more detailed storyboards have been completed we typically then start the computer animation process.

Vsquared in conjunction with Leviathan and Derivative has developed numerous tools and applications for 3D mapping. Sync is achieved through various means, some midi, some time code, some manual, some OSC, some DMX.

e: How have the concert visuals changed throughout the years? From Pink Floyd’s epic pioneering visions to the likes of Daft Punk, Plastikman, Deadmau5, Skrillex, and last but definitely not least Amon Tobin, what do you feel about the ever growing emergence of the visual art experience that is now linked to the musical vibrations? As an audience member, I can’t help but comment on how amazing and unbelievable the recent imagery has enhanced the experience of many events. The unveiling of ISAM: Live at Coachella was truly an elevating and mind-opening experience.


V2: Concert visuals have become so much more elaborate and immersive with the wide array of display mediums available. It is no longer just a light show. Overall I am absolutely thrilled for the rise of electronic dance music and the ever increasing immersive experience. I think it is an essential step forward for both the music industry and the visual art movement.

e: How does it feel to perform at the world’s most prestigious events and have your artwork virtually embedded into the minds of all the individuals exposed? How do the crowd reactions feel like? Do you feed off of their energy just as the musicians and DJ’s on stage do during the performance? What was your most memorable moment at Coachella 2012?


V2: As a VJ, I absolutely love performing at the world's prestigious music festival events. The first set is still to this day the most exciting and the most terrifying at the same time.

For me the most memorable moment at Coachella was seeing the Amon 2.0 come to life and witnessing the crowd reactions. These reactions feel amazing to me, and make all the hard work and investment worthwhile. The energy of oneness. Love it!

e: What is your all time favorite album cover and why? Any honorable mentions/runners up?


V2: It is impossible for me to name one cover my all time favorite, so I will name the works that have had the most creative impact on me as an artist. Storm thorgerson pink floyd, dark side of the moon. Judas Priest's Screaming For Vengeance by Doug Johnson. Aphex Twin DRUKQS Album Cover. The Exploited Let's Start a War Album Cover. Also…. loved Iron Maiden for Eddy.

e: Aside from continuing to bring Amon Tobin's groundbreaking ISAM: Live worldwide, what else does V2 Labs have in store for the near future? Can we expect a return of V2 on the main stage at E.D.C. Las Vegas this year? Any Infectious updates that we should all know about?


V2: V Squared Labs will be VJ'ing all of the stages at this years upcoming EDC NY & EDC Las Vegas. I will be returning to the main stage with even more tricks up my sleeve. Also expect an appearance at the Bass Pod for our 3D mapping area. Currently vsquared is wrapping up creating all the 3D mapping experience visuals for American Idol 2012 season. Coming this May 12th is the first public showing of the new show we created for Infected Mushroom. This experience will start world wide touring this fall.

e: Any words of advice for those who want to get their feet wet with this relatively new artform? Any suggestions to artists out there with a magnitude of ideas and a need of direction?


V2: I think the new art form is establishing itself more and more, and making places for those who want to get their feet wet readily available. When it comes to finding a direction, look to the internet and to the wealth of visual information out there. One can find almost anything these days.

Most of all do it because you love it.

To check out more work by Vsquared labs, visit: here. I can't wait to see what Vello has in store for all of us desert party people. See you all at E.D.C. this weekend!


Electric Daisy Carnival: Las Vegas - June 8, 9, 10 [SOLD OUT]

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