AUTHOR Karoline Ketelhake
PUBLISHED 17.FEB 2025
Felix Frank is an international artist specializing in visual and light art. His creative journey began in the graffiti and hip-hop scene of the ’90s, before he studied Fine Arts in Paris and Motion Design in Barcelona – today, he uses projectors instead of spray cans to create immersive light art.
// What are you most looking forward to at LICHTROUTEN?
I’m excited to be able to showcase a mapping project in Germany again after a long time and to collaborate with Bettina Pelz. I’m particularly looking forward to discovering the artworks of the other artists and getting to know them personally.
// Does the context of LICHTROUTEN shape your work?
Yes, the context of LICHTROUTEN and Lüdenscheid’s reputation as the “City of Light” perfectly suits my work. The city’s long tradition in lighting technology is indirectly reflected in my art. Normally, a 3D production is lit like a film set—with external light sources. In contrast, my artwork is primarily illuminated by a light-emitting 3D material that radiates directly from the objects, an inner light, so to speak. This approach combines technological innovation with artistic expression and seamlessly fits into the overarching theme of LICHTROUTEN.
// Is there a particular project or exhibition of yours that you personally love? If so, why?
639 Hz, a meditative light painting that I first exhibited in 2019 in Quito. The energy and impact on the audience are something truly special that is hard to put into words—it must be experienced and felt. It was there that I first began incorporating specific frequencies into the music.
// You have participated in international mapping competitions like Tokyo Lights and Constellation de Metz and have won awards. What makes an outstanding mapping installation for you?
A perfect interplay of light and sound, as well as a creative engagement with the building. The surfaces and lines of the “canvas” should first be respected, only to dissolve completely in the next moment. A clear structure with an introduction, main section, crescendo, and conclusion is crucial to captivate the audience’s attention and maintain tension until the very end.
// Munich, Paris, Barcelona, Quito – you have already lived in many different places around the world. Does the place where you currently live influence your artistic work?
I do not currently incorporate Andean or folkloric elements directly into my work. However, I absorb the energy of the place where I live. The deep connection of the people to nature, shamanism, the use of medicinal plants, and their strong sense of family unity have greatly influenced me. These influences naturally flow into my creative process and broaden my worldview.
// What is your favorite software for facade projections?
Resolumen Arena
// Do you have any advice for young artists in the field of media art and mapping?
Learn 2D and 3D animation and accumulate as much screen time as possible. Then, throw away everything you’ve learned and reinvent yourself. Be limitless! Forge your own path instead of following the masses. Stay away from AI—don’t cheat! Use AI for workflow optimization… sure, but not as an artist.