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Rafael Rozendaal is a visual artist who uses the internet as his canvas. He'll be talking at We Can Create about exhibiting his online works in galleries, and how that translates, and about BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamer), an open source DIY curatorial platform he created.

Rafael Rozendaal is a visual artist who uses the internet as his canvas. He'll be talking at We Can Create about exhibiting his online works in galleries, and how that translates, and about BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamer), an open source DIY curatorial platform he created.

Rafael's artistic practice consists of websites, installations, drawings, and writing. Spread out over a vast network of domain names, he attracts a large online audience, over 12 million unique visits per year.

His work researches the screen as a pictorial space, reverse engineering reality into condensed bits, in a space somewhere between animated cartoons and paintings. His installations involve moving light and reflections, taking online works and transforming them into a spatial experience.

Rafael is one of the international speakers at the art and creative industries showcase, We Can Create, in Auckland on August 26-27.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

Whenever I am bored, when I’m forced to think because I have no devices or people to distract me. A train ride without a phone or laptop for example.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Highly efficient and melancholic

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Launching a new online artwork

How does your environment affect your work?

I need a big variety, that’s why I travel all the time. I need time alone, I need dinners with friends, museums, video games, beaches, walks in nature, watching cartoons, sketching, and most of all I need confrontations with people which is not always pleasant.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

I think I look at details, that’s how I work, my observations are things that are close to me. Later on, when you see different works together, over the years, a big picture starts to appear.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Don’t spend on anything. We live in a digital world you don’t need stuff.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

I am starring in a commercial for a new device, I can't say what it is, in a few weeks. It was awesome.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

I am mostly inspired by people with good energy, people like Alejandro Jodorowsky. People who are happy and curious.

Tell us a bit about your latest projects.

Most importantly I’m always working on new web pieces. Currently I am working on a potato surrounded by bird sounds.

Tell us a bit about what you’ll be talking about at We Can Create.

I will be presenting my works. Lectures are close to exhibitions for me, since my works are screen based. I will also talk about exhibiting my online works in galleries, and how that translates, and about BYOB, an open source curatorial platform I’ve created. www.newrafael.com www.byobworldwide.com

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

Singer.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Rio, Ipanema beach

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

In a car, on a bike, at home, at a concert, anywhere is awesome.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

I would give it to someone else.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Dont worry about problems that aren’t here yet.

What's great about today?

I’m in Tokyo!

What’s great about We Can Create?

Its in New Zealand which is very new, and I love doing lectures, its gonna be great.

What’s your big idea for 2012?

Trying to be less judgmental.

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• Further information

Selected exhibitions: Venice Biennial, Valencia Biennial, Moca Taipei, Casa Franca Brasil Rio, TSCA Gallery Tokyo (solo), Spencer Brownstone Gallery NYC (solo), NIMk Amsterdam (solo), Stedelijk Museum project space (solo).

Selected press: Flash Art, Purple Magazine, Dazed & Confused, Interview Magazine, Wired Magazine, O Globo.

Great grandfather: Humberto Castello Branco, former president of Brazil.