Artist’s Biography
Six N Five is the creative art studio by Ezequiel Pini, an award-winning Argentinian designer and artist based in Barcelona.
Over the last decade, Pini has pioneered the use of 3D to create imaginary, dreamlike worlds in his signature clean and modern aesthetic. His work incorporates different mediums to explore imaginary spaces, moving stories and physical collectibles.
His extensive experience working with esteemed brands and creators, makes him one of the most recognized digital artists at the moment. His work includes several exhibitions in physical and digital, and the recent creation of all Microsoft Windows 11 and Microsoft Surface wallpaper design, as one of the most important collaborations launched last year with this brand.
His refined imagination, poetic compositions, avant-garde mind, and elegant skills make Six N. Five stand out for its uniqueness and purity of results.
Bio source: artist courtesy
Interview Artist
Ezequiel Pini – Six N. Five
By Carol Real
Describe your childhood in Argentina. What attracted you to Barcelona?
I grew up with my parents in a modest neighborhood in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. When I was born, my parents were only 18 years old and had not finished high school. Nonetheless, they instilled in me the values of hard work and passion for what I do. My father is a Taekwondo teacher, and my mother was an administrator at their own gym. Taekwondo has been a part of my life since I was four years old, and for 21 years, it has been more than just a sport for me.
Barcelona attracted me because of its diverse culture, and proximity to the beach and mountains. I was also attracted to the abundance of interesting weekly events related to music, art, and design. Within a few hours’ flight from Barcelona, I can easily reach other interesting places and events.
Who were your mentors? Can you describe your first creative project?
My mentors were always my parents. They taught me passion, hard work, and how to fight for my dreams. After that, I enjoyed working with talented colleagues and bosses and building meaningful relationships. They all had an impact on me at different stages of my career.
Make room for us, 2022 –
Experimental: Humans modify, adapt, and ultimately destroy what mother nature freely offered to us. Home, the earth, is all we have. It is our plan A and also, plan B. “Make room for us” is an architectural project in the digital universe, which not only proposes to adapt architecture to nature. It speaks of our repentance and forgiveness for the damage we have caused in the physical world. Now it is our turn to adapt to what has always existed. Through adaptive designs that mimic cellular organisms, we propose an architectural system that interacts with nature in an imaginary ecosystem of cliffs, mountains, and virtual dreamscapes. This exploration is nothing more than a narrative translated into visual concepts that aim to learn and respond to our environment, to make ourselves our home.
Describe your work routine. When you start working on a project, does the final idea arise spontaneously or do you embark on an unknown journey until you reach the destination?
Engaging in activities such as running, swimming, or walking is how I find respite from the computer and conventional approaches to starting my next project. These moments clear my mind and stimulate fresh ideas. This is like embarking on an unknown journey before discovering the destination. I enjoy initiating a project with a concept in mind and gathering relevant visual references. However, the ultimate idea emerges spontaneously during the creative process. This approach allows me to remain receptive to new ideas and let my creativity flow unrestrictedly.
Which things or people inspire you to create?
My work is inspired by a variety of concerns that change over time, as I grow older. I am inspired by observations of the world and my personal experiences. These concerns include the relativity of time and its representation, the boundaries between the real and the artificial, and our human behaviors in the face of both. I am also interested in exploring our daily realities as a society, the role of stress, our excesses, and how we live with them.
In terms of specific artists, I deeply admire surrealist artists such as René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, Man Ray, and Jean Arp. I also find inspiration in Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, and Edward Hopper for their mastery of color and light. I try to incorporate my inspirations into my practice, drawing from my personal passion for various disciplines such as art, photography, architecture, design, and interior design.
The Japanese Garden, 2021
The “Japanese Garden” series combines classical elements of Japanese architecture with stylized flora to create scenes that perfectly capture the culture’s desire for simplicity. Portraying the minimal, surreal, and tranquil atmosphere of Japan, we tried to carry a consistent design language throughout each image using elements such as perfectly pruned trees, birch wood accents, and overcast mountain landscapes. The result was these surreal and pleasant compositions surrounded by green and nature. Artist: Six N. Five, by Ezequiel Pini. 3D art by Ezequiel Pini, Joan Garcia Pons and Simon Kaempfer.
Your work incorporates different media to explore imaginary spaces, moving stories, and where realism and surrealism merge. Do you remember the first moment you used 3D in the creation of these imaginary worlds?
I started using 3D in 2010 when I worked freelance. I found that 3D gave me flexibility when working on concepts and ideas. This allowed me to represent my ideas more personally. My work has evolved since then, and I now use 3D as the main tool to create my imaginary worlds. I explore the boundaries between realism and surrealism, the possible and impossible, the real and unreal.
How was SIX N. FIVE born? Did you ever imagine such success?
SIX N. FIVE was born in 2014 as a representation of the moment when the workday ended and my personal time began, at 06:05 pm. It was during those five minutes that my mind visualized my arrival at home, where I could continue with my art, ideas, and projects. I really felt the need to express my own vision and language. SIX N. FIVE was created as a way for me to express myself and became an integral part of my life.
I still feel I’m far from success. I consider myself a perpetual learner who finds joy in continuous growth. I am drawn to exploring cutting-edge technologies and creative processes, both in technical skills and personal development. Through these pursuits, I enhance my skills and gain deeper insights into my individuality and personal growth.
What is your interest in contemporary art and design? What is the fundamental aspect a project that makes it ready to exhibit?
I could say that my work is beginning to receive recognition within the artistic field, more precisely within the arena of digital art. I have been one of the first to create a style that was not known at the time, or at least, had not been explored with CGI tools. This tool has always been used at the last stage of a creative process, solely to visualize the results. And therefore, whoever knew how to employ it became an operator, instead of a creative or an artist. It was not common for people to use it as a tool for creative use, and this distanced it even more from the art world.
For a project to be ready to be exhibited, it must have a concept strong enough to enhance the visual and aesthetic side. I think the two work hand in hand, and must have the same weight and determination.
In the design world, do you think it is critical to follow trends or find your own path?
Following my own path, listening to my intuition, and pursuing my desires have always held great significance for me. While I have faced failures along the way, I have also experienced numerous successes. This journey has allowed me to truly understand myself and my work approach. I’ve consistently maintained a curious nature, driven to explore and potentially create what I envision as the next trend, rather than simply conforming to existing ones.
The Circle, 2022. Experimental
It evokes time, or more precisely, the fragments of time that pile up in a vast scenario of unique moments and memories. It is an introspective journey of wonder and imagination through these glimpses of time. This simple form has been a character present in my work for years, it represents care, calm, and attention to achieve its ultimate perfection. We are a circle, without boundaries, beginning or end. Infinity, Unity, connection, just a circle in expansionArtist: Six N. Five, 3D Art by Ezequiel Pini. Special thanks Moco Museum, Federico Piccirilo (Animation), Joan Garcia Pons, Nil Estany, Thiago Tallman. Sound design Aimar Molero
Have you ever encountered an impossible project?
I could say no. I am very hardheaded and when I set my mind to something I try to do the impossible to achieve it. Sometimes it seems impossible and I feel like giving up. In those moments, I let this situation and problem rest, and let the unconscious work when I’m not thinking about it. Many times when I try again, new ideas are born, and solutions appear.
You are still young but you have had a long and successful career. So far, what piece, project or collection has given you the most satisfaction?
Every year, a new project appears that fills me with joy and creativity. I tend to get bored easily, and always look for new goals and challenges. As for collaborations with brands or commercial environments, I could say that the wallpapers of Microsoft Surface devices or the creation of Windows 11 were the things that have given me more satisfaction professionally. I am discovering many other things in the artistic environment, and that makes me very grateful, happy, and satisfied. The recognition I’ve been receiving lately for what I’ve done for so many years gratifies me the most today.
You have also worked with successful artists and creatives in art and design. What was your most rewarding experience and what did you learn from it? What would you like to accomplish in the coming years?
I have been very fortunate to have proposals and opportunities to collaborate with talented people on projects that have always allowed me to learn. I like challenges, and despite the fact that many things can be scary at the beginning, I see them as opportunities. Opportunities to learn, push myself, and get out of my comfort zone.
I’m not sure what my dream project for the next few years will be. However, I’m sure it will somehow appear, as it has happened in the past few years. For this, it is essential to continue with the same desire, curiosity, and passion for what I do. Everything else is simply a consequence of this.
Favorite phrase
No effort, no results.
Editor: Kristen Evangelista
Pistachio, 2019
The main central area has one sole purpose: It is to be shared. I can invite friends to meet, talk, and laugh. It’s the more “public” space of the house that’s made to welcome and connect with other people. Surrounded by capsule rooms. With transparent windows, so as to still have them be part of the same space while offering seclusion when needed. We started with the selection of color, green is the color of nature and it represents life and serenity, it exudes good vibes.
What If, 2021. Experimental
Imagination is a uniquely human ability to visualize unlimited possibilities starting with a simple question: What If. Here we raise our voices to wonder about the next steps of humankind and a possible future move. We divided this collection into the following three acts.
Act one: The Journey, composed by The Meeting, The Rest, and The Dinner. It represents our trip and the hope to arrive, but also the attachments of our mundane life, carrying memories of a previous reality.
Act two: The settlements, comprises three visuals: Universe Edge, Summer House, and Landing Zone. It expresses our freedom to dream and imagine how our homes far away would look like.
The last three is “The encounter” and talks about some feelings. These three visuals are named “I like you”, “I missed you”, and “You guide me” They are an involving waltz, represented by objects that encounter each other in different contexts. It is a dance in the silence.
Art Basel, Six N Five
Moco Museum
Permanent exhibition in Amsterdam and Barcelona- The Circle, 2022. Experimental
It evokes time, or more precisely, the fragments of time that pile up in a vast scenario of unique moments and memories. It is an introspective journey of wonder and imagination through these glimpses of time. This simple form has been a character present in my work for years, it represents care, calm, and attention to achieve its ultimate perfection. We are a circle, without boundaries, beginning or end. Infinity, Unity, connection, just a circle in expansion.
Artist: Six N. Five, 3D Art by Ezequiel Pini.
Special thanks Moco Museum, Federico Piccirilo (Animation), Joan Garcia Pons, Nil Estany, Thiago Tallman.
Sound design Aimar Molero
