TzAR: Pixel Art Profiles #4 - Noodler, MEK.txt, Nicholas Dietrich
Kyle Flemmer profiles a trio of pixel artists included in the forthcoming Tezos Art Review (TzAR): Pixel Art Anthology.
As pixel art has matured stylistically and technically over the last several decades, conventions have emerged that guide our expectations about what pixel art can and cannot be. For example, it is generally accepted in online pixel art forums that each pixel must be hand-placed and essential to the legibility of the overall image. The r/PixelArt subreddit community does not consider pixelated images made with filters or shaders to count as pixel art. Part of my mission in writing TzAR: Pixel Art Anthology is to examine and challenge the established traditions, pushing toward a looser and more inclusive vision for this medium.
That said, traditions are built upon tried-and-true principles that have stood the test of time. Through collective effort and refinement, they set clear goals and high standards for the medium, and because so many people have dedicated themselves to achieving these goals, it takes true mastery of the art form to stand out from the crowd. Consider also that the current generation of digital artists have been looking at pixel art, primarily in video games, since childhood. To stand out in this context means more than mastery of foundational conventions, it means moving beyond them to develop a unique style and identity as an artist atop the existing tradition.
“This edition of Pixel Art Profiles features three artists who have done just that: taking the tools offered by the pixel art tradition and making them truly their own. Recognizable at a glance, I rate each of these three as pixel art masters who even the staunchest traditionalist will adore.”
Noodler
Memories Woven Through Water by Noodler, minted September 4, 2024
Artist statement: “The cultural landscapes of South Africa and Australia are key influences in Noodler's artistic practice, which explores the relationship between humanity and nature's dominance. The Rückenfigur, a lone figure seen from behind, is a recurring motif, emphasizing the individual's smallness within vast landscapes. Noodler uses instinctive marks and patterns to create textured surfaces, incorporating elements of animation to imbue the work with movement and reinforce the idea of nature's dominance. Celebrating the beauty of the pixel, Noodler embraces a low-fidelity aesthetic to capture the tension between humans and the natural world.”
MEK.txt
ORDER by MEK.txt, minted March 16, 2024
Artist statement: “MEK.txt is a pixel artist, typographer, and product developer.”
Nicholas Dietrich
Tranquil Dell by Nicholas Dietrich, minted July 22, 2023
Artist statement: “This is a scene of an industrial estate on the outskirts of Dublin. The title, which conjures bucolic visions of a tree lined landscape, belies the painting’s brutal industrial nature. The reduced palette of green and grey against the immensity of the black, creates an illuminating effect, bringing an unreality to this mundane setting.”
TzAR: Pixel Art Anthology will be published by The Blasted Tree Publishing Co. in August 2025. Stay tuned for more Pixel Art Profiles in the coming weeks as we prepare the book for publication!