We had the opportunity to interview Nox Lumina, Visual Artist and VJ, who has worked with big names in the entertainment industry, in this article he shares with us his trajectory and details of this professional that behind the stage makes a big difference for the public.
All the incredible art in this article was produced by him, and at the end of the article you can find links to follow him on his social networks
Follow the interview!
Please tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? How old are you? Are you a human or alien?
Known as Nox Lumina, fka Tenstriip
Currently operating out of Denver, CO.
Age ≈ 25
Species: Unknown
How did you get started in the VJing world? How long have you been doing it?
I started with live visuals as I was finishing up a BFA in 2018. Initially by exploring AE, VDMX, and Synesthesia. I redesigned the Synesthesia UI and submitted my ideas to the creators; those designs were implemented shortly thereafter in the live build. From there I discovered Resolume and started teaching myself what I could for the better part of a year. I had one proper mentor, Pickles, who taught me a lot.
What are your inspirations? Any VJs or related artists you admire?
I find my strongest inspiration comes from powerful life experiences that shift perspective and force growth. There are hundreds of artists who inspire me to a high degree, but the root of it all comes from intense experiences that force me out of my comfort zone and leave me with a story to tell.
It all started for me with the old masters and renaissance-era movements. My favorite and most inspiring artistic influences include Bernini, Boccioni, Botticelli, all the ninja turtles, Basquiat, Corbusier, Dali, Eames, Goya, Kruger, Mucha, Serra, Shintaro Kago, Van Der Rohe, Android Jones, Glass Crane, Totemical, Ben Ridgeway, there are so many I could go on forever. I draw inspiration from a wide range of styles, ideologies, and mediums. Influences from Abstract Expressionism, Baroque, Brutalism, Dada, De Stijl, Deconstructivism, Early Computer Art, Futurism, Gothicism, Rococo, Art Nouveau, Nouveau Réalisme,Op Art, Romanticism, Suprematism, Surrealism, Ukiyo-e, and so many more all find their way into my creative work in some form or another.
Which software(s) do you use for VJing? Any specifics about how you set it up?Live performances can include Resolume, TouchDesigner, Synesthesia, Fragment:Flow, NestDrop, MicrodoseVR, and whatever else I can get my hands on. Generally I’ll use Resolume and a shader-based program for most events. I have Resolume set up with 8-12 layers arranged in a fairly simple layout. Most of my video content is on layers 1-5. Layers 6-12 are used for overlays, masks, shaders, and other modifiers. Minimal clip and layer fx, pretty much everything is applied to the composition fx chain. I have around 70 fx mapped to a midi controller in ways that make it intuitive to perform and quickly iterate ideas. My compositions are built in a way that facilitates design at the speed of thought, where I don’t need to think about the tools I’m using.
What equipment do you bring to your events? How is it all hooked up
Laptop + APC40 for hired gun operations. For larger operations that list varies based on production needs. In the past I used a custom built desktop media server but nowadays the laptop is easier.
How do you prepare your visual material for the events? How much do you decide ahead of time and versus on the spot?
I’ve only planned two or three sets. Everything else is live off the top using a master composition I’ve been building and revising for almost three years. I try to build in a ton of variation and live generative reactivity to my workflow so it can almost run itself.
How do you decide what the public should see as the night goes on? How do you structure your set and how does it relate to the music?My role in these live situations is to act as a conduit and channel whatever energy the artist is expressing through audio into video. As the artist changes pace, energy, mood, etc I try to match that and flow through the night in a meditative way. Always tuning and tweaking parameters to better match what the music is expressing in that moment. That’s also why I hate recording any of my work. It’s designed to be experienced in that moment, as soon as you render or record that it becomes defined and finite in a way that removes the magic. I’ve performed over a thousand hours at this point, and recorded maybe thirty of those hours. None of it was made to be tangible beyond that moment. It’s there as you are, and gone into the ether after. Existing only in memory of that time.
The VJ tends to work longer at night than the DJ, how do you deal with this?
It was never about the money. As long as I make enough to make the magic happen that’s what it’s about. Adjust level of engagement until it feels fair for long term situations. Find that balance.
What event has impressed and impacted you the most? And why?
Tipper Red Rocks 2021. It was my first real T&F experience. I saw night one and was blown away by everyone. Then I performed night 2 with Resonant Language.
If you could VJ for any artist, who would it be?
I just want to support my friends. That means more to me than any big name I may aspire to work with.
Do you have any future projects planned? What can we expect?
I started a daily series this year, been working a lot with my company Towr Media on new ventures, hopefully getting back out to Chamber’s Project again soon, continuing my Black Box Residency, working with Sub.mission on agency design work, some freelance design, minting NFTs occasionally, lots of upcoming collaborations with APEX Collective, got a few exhibitions lined up, hopefully a solo show, festival season should be fun, maybe hit the burn again this year. Looking forward to the year for sure.
How do you see the future of VJing? Any new technologies or approaches that we should keep an eye on?
I think we’re seeing a shift in perspective surrounding VJs and visual arts in these contexts, leading to more recognition and proper representation, compensation, and attribution. People buy experiences now and this is a big part of it. I founded a community called the Mograph Mafia during the initial coronavirus lockdown and we’ve grown to almost 300 members. All digital artists and visual artists from all over the world working together, sharing information, tips and tricks, contract templates, workflows, resources, all kinds of community driven content. We all look out for each other and make sure we’re working together to raise the value and quality of the community overall. We all believe we’re better off sharing our efforts and communicating everything because it leaves us all in a better place. Rather than hiding secrets thinking it gives you an edge, we openly teach and share each other anything that may be asked.
Any final words? Where should we follow you?
I appreciate the support over the years and wouldn’t be here without such a strong community behind me. It’s all love <3
Web: noxlumina.io
Web: towr.media
ETH NFTs: showtime.io/NoxLumina
Tezos NFTs: hicetnunc.art/noxlumina
IG @Nox.Lumina IG @towrmedia
FB @Nox.Lumina TW @noxlumina_
