“Uki-yo” (the French version of Haikus) is a graphic composition seeking to reproduce a landscape evolves in a continuous and autonomous way according to a poetic algorithm. The shifts follow a series of subtle and delicate graphic mutations but also unexpected events that create chaotic phases of deconstruction.

Uki-yo, Courtesy Anne Barrault gallery © Qubo gas

Inspired by Haikus-short Japanese poems (17th century), the source of these shifts determines the space of the evolutions in the landscape. The composition of the picture is based on a pre-determined construction and relies on a database of graphic elements. This digital painting is then projected panoramically on a glass screen.

Mille Feuilles, Courtesy of Anne Barrault Gallery © Qubo gas 2006

Let me mention quickly “Mille Feuilles”, my favourite piece. Qubo gas emphasized Mille Feuilles is considered as a pendant to their computerised artwork and ultimately the most beautiful piece remains a drawing, thus defending their main activity: to draw!

Asked about their inspiration – they collectively replied “We’ve got none in particular, especially as we are three!” I still managed to extract few art leaders such as Petra Mrzyk & Jean-Francois Moriceau, Charles Sandison, Aya Takano, Nina Bovasso or also few US artists of the last decade (Kyle Fields, Marcel Dzama . Music is also a great source of inspiration: artists drawing the jackets of the music albums they’re listening to (Boredoms, Fan Club Orchestra).

Laura insisted to carefully mention their influence as it is so wide, and Jeff to shyly insist that they do not have a master in particular; they keep an eye to their contemporaries.

Qubo gas perfoming in Bologna, Italy © Laura Henno

After nearly 2 hours of “coffee” interview, I asked them about their news: Morgan and Jeff explained about their label, Smalticolor, which will be producing multiples of their art work. The launch of this company is the cause of their “under-construction” website. They are currently working on the next version, on which, supporters will be able to buy CDRom of “Baover Tit”, but also by-products and multiples.

Opening on the 18th of May at Gallery Fraich Attitude in Paris, one of their installations: Shimmy Shimmy Grass and some new stuffs.

Qubo gas
Address: 22 rue Emile Desmet, 59000 Lille, France
Tel: + 33 (0)6 6182 4924
http://www.qubogas.com