Today we put the spotlight on Radu Marțin – visual artist in the generative technology and performative art in the New Media.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Radu: I’ll keep it simple and concise: my name is Radu Marțin, I’m 25 years old, and I’m a visual artist from Iași, Romania. My artistic practice covers various branches of video media, with a strong focus on incorporating technology into my work to explore and discover new approaches to certain ideas and concepts. Currently, I’m a Ph.D. student at the “George Enescu” National University of Arts. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to present my work in various exhibitions, both within academic settings and beyond. Additionally, I collaborate on video design with different theaters across the country, and I also work as a VJ at music events and festivals.
Subsign: What was your childhood like? Do you think your childhood experiences have influenced your present creative endeavors?
Radu: I think I had a pretty normal childhood, given the context of Romania in the 2000s. Looking back now, I was part of one of the first generations with decent internet access. Half of my time was spent around the neighborhood, and the other half was spent on the computer, which came with its own unique experiences—like learning to reinstall Windows ourselves because we clicked on every “download” button we saw online. It’s clear that the experiences you gather ultimately make their way into your work, and for me, it was very natural for my creative process to transition more and more into the digital space.
Subsign: What did you want to be as a grown up?
Radu: I read this question, and the first thing that popped into my head was the famous intro from Goodfellas, when Ray Liotta says, “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster”—but that’s not the case here. Up until around age 11 or 12, I wanted to be a soccer player, though it was clearly just a phase. When it was time to choose a high school, I didn’t have a clear direction, which I suppose is normal, but I decided to apply to an IT high school thinking, “there are always jobs in IT.” Pretty quickly, I realized that working in a multinational company wasn’t for me, and around tenth grade, I discovered photography. What started as a bit of fun led me to seriously consider, for the first time, how I could turn a passion into a career.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Radu: In this regard, I’m quite a nomad, because sometimes it might look something like this…
Subsign: Do you have a work style? How would you describe it?
Radu: In short, my approach falls under the umbrella of new media art. To pinpoint my exact role within any project, it’s crucial to define my function clearly. Sometimes I work on video installations, whether participatory or generative; other times, it’s video mapping and video design; and in different contexts, I focus on visuals and live performances. Each work style has its own specific methods, and the fascinating part is that these elements often overlap to create a cohesive result.
Subsign: Can you share with us how your creative process works?
Radu: My creative process usually starts with questioning an idea. Why is it relevant? How do I relate to it? How should I illustrate it? It’s a blend of research, a bit of inspiration, and a lot of experimentation.
Subsign: What is your favorite work you have done so far?
Radu: I wouldn’t say I have a specific favorite, but one of my more well-known projects is “Neural Eye.” This video installation visualizes the viewer’s mental state as an animated, constantly transforming graphic. It acts as a representation of the brain, expanding its activity outward in a perpetual state of self-observation.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Radu: I believe inspiration can come from anywhere—people around you, other artists, movies, music, articles, anything really. The more you learn, the more curiosities emerge, and those curiosities lead to ideas, which ultimately drive the artistic process.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in the creative field?
Radu: The best advice I can give is to fall in love with the process itself. Play, experiment, and create out of passion. If you put your best into your work, growth will come with time.
Subsign: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Radu: Teleportation! I often forget a cable at home.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song, and a movie for our readers?
Radu: Book – Kant after Duchamp by Thierry de Duve
Song – Giorgio by Moroder by Daft Punk
Movie – Fight Club directed by David Fincher
Subsign: If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like, and what special occasion would you choose? Which famous people would you invite, and why?
Radu: It would probably be a beach party, with Daft Punk in charge of the music. My guest list would be long and chaotic, but for the fun of it, I’d invite Salvador Dalí, Tarantino, Johnny Depp, and Dave Chappelle—because, well, why not?
Thank you, Radu, for being a part of our Spotlight!
If you know an artist that should be in the spotlight, contact us at teodora@subsign.co.
For more of Radu‘s work, you can follow him: Radu on Instagram.
