5 questions to the urban multimedia artist Leon Keer

Leon Keer, urban multimedia artist from Sterrehof, Netherlands. Photo © L. Keer

1.Tell us what you do and your beginnings.

I am bending my mind in organizing my thoughts on the world. I am well aware that mathematics is an important part in these thoughts to showcase my art and put all spectator’s senses on edge.

I use different perceptual techniques to work on optical illusions. Exhibitions and festivals all over the world invite me to collaborate in changing cityscape and evoke the people to see things differently. 

2.What are your favorite museums in the world? Why?

My most favorite exhibitions are the ones where you can experience an interactive moment or where an atmosphere has been created where you can feel the presence of the artist and meaning behind the art. 

3.How important are social networks in your business? And which platform do you prefer and why.

A large amount of followers will connect you with more enthusiasts and help to give you the opportunity to get more invites and so on get involved into new projects.

I am on Instagram (preferably), Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok, but I preferably only use one social media platform as it will consume a lot of time and energy to follow up upon all the updates such a platform requires to function properly. I see the social media more as a kind of marketing tool as for myself I am not so funned in the algorithms which influences a narrow mind. 

4.What are your future projects? 

For the year 2021 I am working with the Albertina Museum in Vienna on an anamorphic installation at the entrance staircase. In Amsterdam there will be a large solo show in May with all kind of optical illusion installations with one of the most prestigious galleries in the country.

Anamorphic floor pieces in the Netherlands at Art in Oisterwijk, Tilburg and Terschelling. A solo show in London and one in Brussels and several upcoming collaborations for 3D murals in California, Santiago Chili, France, Germany, Belgium and Denmark. 

5.To create greater engagement among museums, artists and professionals, do you have any advice for cultural projects such as #MuseumWeek?

Every person can surprise you in the way they think. You are never smarter or more interesting than the other person. If you can set up physical involvement with the public you are able to create acceptance, happiness and surprise others but sure also yourself.

Interview by Fabio Pariante, journalist

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Leon Keer on social networks: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – YouTube – TikTok

Leon Keer (Utrecht, 1980) is a Dutch urban multimedia artist who creates 3D works on canvas and on street walls in Europe, Asia, the United States, Australia, Russia, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand. Each work is made in augmented reality combined with anamorphic art: depending on the perspective, each work creates optical illusions and through an app they come to life with the mobile phone.

Among his latest works, Keer has created Shattering, a giant 3D mural on the facade of a building in Helsingborg, Sweden in which he denounces the dangers of the effects of climate change. The mural depicts a stack of porcelain teacups (as fragile as the Earth) that appear to fall from the side of the building, and was created for the fourth edition of ArtStreetHbg – ArtStreet Helsingborg 2020. Leon Keer lives and works in Utrecht.