Words by Kimberly Haddad
Inspired by wild optimism and enchanted universes that blur the line between make–believe and reality, Marcel Van Luit is a Netherlands–born digital artist who believes anything is possible. Playing on the juxtaposition of dark and light, Luit has created surreal photo manipulations that take viewers through wonderous fairytales that humans can only dream of seeing in the walking world. His work has been exhibited at the Jean Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium, the Cobra Art Gallery at Maison&Objet in Paris, France and more.
BASIC: You are an insanely talented photographer and digital artist. Tell us about your creative upbringing and what encouraged your career.
MARCEL: When I was a kid, I could draw for hours at the kitchen table just to relax. The rest of the time I was outside, playing soccer with my friends and fishing. I have always loved to be in nature. Art and creating didn’t really play a role in my youth. I think my creativity was always inside of me, but I didn’t do much with it until my oldest son Otis was born. He was the reason I started photographing. When hewas six months old, I got diagnosed with GBS (Guillain-Barré) which paralyzed me for a long time. When my arms started working again, I started to create adventures and dream worlds for Otis and me to be in, as I couldn’t go out and explore anything with him in real life at that time.
BASIC: Your photo manipulations are very surreal and dreamlike. Each image is its own wonderous fairytale. Tell us about how you developed such a dreamy artistic style?
MARCEL: The imagination of my kids inspired me to create these worlds. Because of them, I learned to use my own imagination again. And when you imagine, anything is possible. I love to play with tones and darkness and light. I think they can go hand-in-hand and from darkness can come light.
BASIC: Share the story about one of your favorite images you’ve created and how you developed the overall concept and theme.
MARCEL: My favorite artwork is “Flamingo”. I love black and white and classic styles. I photographed two flamingos in different poses and brought them together with a ballerina costume. It was a difficult one to create, but I think this was the artwork that put me in a new and right direction at that time.
BASIC: What things in the world drive your creative energy?
MARCEL: Seeing my boys play, being in nature, animals and colors. Inspiration is everywhere for me. You just have to open your eyes and really look at what’s around you.
BASIC: You are a father of two beautiful boys. How has becoming a father changed your life and creative endeavors?
MARCEL: Becoming a father has changed everything for me. My family is the most important thing for me and the boys teach me so much. I live a very busy life with a lot of traveling and deadlines, and that can get me a little stressed out sometimes. To realize that my sons and my family are the only really important things in life is the greatest gift they could ever give me. They make me see very clear what really matters and what my priorities are. On the creative side, they are the reason this all started, so becoming a father really was a turning point in my life.
BASIC: Tell us about your overall creative process. What is your favorite part and least favorite part?
MARCEL: Most of the time, I start without much of a concept. I just start with whatever comes up in my mind. It’s almost like I’m in a sort of trance as I add more and more until I can clearly see where I am going. I like the whole process, but especially the feeling when I get to a point where I think that I might have created something extraordinary. My least favorite part is just before I finish a work, as that’s when all kinds of doubt kicks in.
BASIC: When do you know one of your images are complete?
MARCEL: When everything is in balance and when I feel I can tell a story with it or let a viewer feel an emotion.
BASIC: Do you have any special projects or upcoming plans for your creative endeavors? Have you been featured in any exhibits or publications?
MARCEL: I did seven solo exhibitions in the past 12 months, from Amsterdam to Sao Paulo and Paris. My work was represented in Art Miami last December and on SP-Arte last April. My career has been a rollercoaster since the day I quit my job to focus on my art full-time. In July, I will be in Los Angeles at an amazing pop-up gallery concept called “Bright”.
BASIC: Describe your personal identity in five words or less.
MARCEL: Down to earth.
BASIC: What unique characteristics best describe your professional and creative personality?
MARCEL: Creative, emotional, risk-taker and dreamer.
