Clement Valla’s art explores the ways in which computers see the world, and how these technologies of vision influence human perception. He began his career as an architect in the early 2000s, at a time when computer-aided drawing tools had taken over the profession. Valla then pursued an MFA in digital and media art to build on the insights he gained from his use of CAD software.

Much of Valla’s work considers the procedures of 3D scanning. What are its limitations? How does it represent space and movement? His projects from the last few years visualize the point cloud, the set of colored pixels assigned spatial values in order to make objects legible to machines. Representing plants and gardens, the prickly gradation of color and light in these works produces a kind of visual ASMR. In this virtual studio visit with Outland, Valla also discussed the new art economy enabled by NFTs. Artists now have the option to release “singles” rather than thinking of projects exclusively in terms of gallery exhibitions, he said, though he’s still interested in moving between rhythms of art-making, releasing single works along with “concept albums.”