Berlin-based artist Jack Sachs is one of the three artists who were invited as part of the Helsinki Curious project to illustrate Helsinki based solely on their imagination and on stories they hear.
When you first heard about the Helsinki Curious project, what did you think?
It seemed like a great opportunity to visit a new place that I didn't know much about. Also, the idea for the artwork is really unique – to make an image with such an organic brief.
Could you tell a little about your work of art?
I imagined a dancer in some kind of retro/futuristic dance gear, as I heard that thrifting is really good in Helsinki. The midsection of the dancer and background with abstract seagulls is a reference to the amount of nature in the city and the connection to dancing outdoors. I got the impression that a lot of materials and surfaces are mixed together throughout the city, like wood and metal and glass, so I used wooden waves for the floor and metallic wave for the dancing arms. The head of the dancer is an ice cube wearing sunglasses. I also got the impression that people in Helsinki really express themselves when they go out dancing and it’s not at all pretentious, so that’s the overall vibe I've gone for with this character. The pattern of the clothes is intended to reflect the combination of the white of the snow and the blue sky.
Do you think Helsinki is an interesting city?
From what I've heard it sounds like a really fun and unique place with a lot of nature close by and an exciting cultural scene. I'm looking forward to visiting.
What time of the year would you like to visit the city?
I'll be visiting at the start of September, but I would also be interested to see the city in the middle of winter when it is really cold. I would also like to visit during midsummer when the sun hardly sets.
Jack Sachs, 31, is a Berlin-based 3D illustrator and animation artist. He was born and studied in London. Sachs graduated from Camberwell College of Arts with a BA in Illustration. He creates his art mostly using 3D software. Sachs is considered one of the most interesting artists working in this field today. His film called “SHHH!” won the Graphite Pencil in D&AD Awards in 2015.