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Not so long ago we were contacted by the Swiss pixel artist Mark Bern. And since we both just happen to like video games, technology and video game art. I decided to do a Q and A interview with Mr. Bern. So we talked about everything from 3D printed pixel art, 3D print technology, VR to the good old C64 days. And with that said, please enjoy my interview =)

Robin TGG
Would you be so kind and introduce yourself to our readers?

Bern
I had a quite unorthodox journey into the art world. For years, I was creating art prints for myself on my computer (started with a C64). Three years ago, I had a few friends over my place who complimented my work without realizing it was created by me. After the support of several friends in the art world, I decided to send a few of my pieces to an art event. My work was an instant hit and I began to grow in popularity, with my new identity: “Mark Bern, the Pixel Artist.” Critics have tried to find the right name for my work and to conceptualize my style, from “Abstract Pixelism” to “New Cubism.”

It´s Mr. Mark Bern in person.

Robin TGG
Is it true that you have worked with digital art for over 20 years? If so, have many art creations have you created during that time?

Bern
Yes, for the past 20 years, I have been investigating the methodology of digital image processing. In my early days as a teenager I explored the possibilities of image manipulation on my first computer, a Commodore 64. Since then I created hundreds of art pieces.

Robin TGG
When did you come up with the idea of combining pixel art with 3D printing?

Bern
My first collection “Marbella” was heavily influenced by early computer technology, with works such as Beach reminiscing the conglomerated large pixels of TV screen lost in signal; one can almost hear the footage of static noise. My work has evolved over the years and has adapted with new technology, such as my work Pixel Cube, which was created with the use of a 3D printer.

Believe it or not, but this picture has not been photoshoped. As it´s 100% real (yes, you can create some really cool stuff with the help of a 3D printer).

Robin TGG
Speaking of pixel and 3D art, I have noticed that more and more people have started to create art pieces in video games (in Minecraft for example). Some people even take really beautiful in-game screenshots and then make a painting out of it. So my question for you would be this, do you think that video games can be considered as art on one level or another?

Bern
Definitely and I am sure that we will see much more stuff in this field in future.

Robin TGG
I heard that you have had your own art exhibitions where you showcased your awesome pixel art based art works. So I´m curious to know if you have any plans to travel around the world and show people all over the world what you have made?

Bern
There are quite a few cool exhibitions all over the world planed in the next months so please follow me on my social media channels to be kept in the loop.

Mark Bern is a long-time C64 fan and user.

Robin TGG
What´s your relation to the C64? Because I´ve seen quite a few C64-related tweets and pictures by you (I´m a mid 80s kid, so I missed out on the C64 era).

Bern
My love for the digital world dates back to my childhood when he played classic videos games like Super Mario and Donkey Kong- both comprised of pixel-structured virtual worlds. And my first computer was a C64 and there I got my first contact to the pixel as an art element.

If you look into the world, you notice everything is a pixel. Now we don’t see it with great technology, like smartphones and LED screens, but to me, the simple pixel, the square at the end is still the basis of everything in the world.

Back in the ’90s as a teenager I used a computer to start my own internet company at the age of 19. I was surrounded by geeks, hackers and other innovators in the field of information technology. Back then computers were not really part of our lives and I was fascinated to create art with new electronic tools.

Robin TGG
Do you think that there will be an art meets VR kind of relationship in the future? (VR art projects, maybe with the help of 3D printing technology?).

Bern
Sounds exciting and I think that makes absolutely sense…

“The art of video games” is a really good book for those who´s interested in video game art.

Robin TGG
What´s your take on art games in general? (on a personal level, I would love to see more art games).

Bern
I think there are quite a few interesting ideas like «Shadow of the Colossus», «Katamari Damacy» or «Okami». Future will show what kind of games will be regarded as an art form as well…

Robin TGG
Where do you get your inspiration and creativity from? And what´s your craziest creation to date?

Bern
I am largely inspired by nature, and I create images based on the moods and suggestions I experience with natural landscapes. The perspective of my works unlock a dreamy world that lies between real-life and virtual reality.

Mark Bern has named this pixel art sculpture to “The beginning”.

Robin TGG
When I saw one of your 3D printed pictures from creativebloq´s article about you. I directly came to think about the planets from Cubical Drift´s open world/sandbox action/RPG/adventure game “Stellar Overload”. So that kind of makes me wonder if you got inspired by that game? (or any other voxel based games. For that matter) Or if Cubical Drift might have been inspired by your art?

Bern
Wow, that’s a cool connection but unfortunately I had a different inspiration… 😉

Robin TGG
Which games are you currently playing? And which game titles do you love the most?

Bern
Honestly I’m still stuck in the old C64 computer games era… 😉 If I had to pick one specific game series I’d go for Zelda (spent hundreds of hours with my hero Zelda).

I take it that Mark Bern likes Star Wars just as much as he loves the C64?

Robin TGG
What´s your plans, hopes and expectations for 2016?

Bern
I try to get more visibility for my pixel art and hope to touch more people with my pixels. There are a few exhibitions and group shows in the making and I also have a few cool new ideas in mind so please be patient.