Meet the Creator: Victor Pardinho
"Don’t take your creativity for granted, and definitely don’t stress about finding your 'style' right away."
Dear friends, today I'm introducing to you one of the most important people in my life.
Victor Pardinho is a Brazilian-born researcher, artist, and innovation manager, and we got to know each other when working together for an art and design studio in Sao Paulo. As faith would have it, years later we would meet again and found a startup together, with him leading the tech development and me taking care of operations and strategy. For five years, we got to overcome all kinds of challenges together, constantly drowning in the unknown, but surviving all and reaching the other side with a successful exit, and still liking each other - a double miracle.
The very best part of our partnership was that we trusted each other completely, and if you are out there, looking for a partner for your creative projects, I suggest you focus on finding this. While skills can develop over time, you either have trust or you don't.
I was truly blessed to never have to question Victor's morals, standards or priorities, and to this day, I would blindly trust him with my life. For this, I will be forever grateful, and if you ever feel compelled to contact him for whatever reason, know that he is this good of a person.
Victor works with tridimensional content, spatial design, and immersive technologies for over a decade. He has experimented with various techniques and media, ranging from immersive experiences and real-time technologies to traditional sculpting and performance art.
He is a hybrid artist and designer with strong technological skills, and he has collaborated with various companies, design firms, game and film studios throughout the years. He also works with artists and research groups, creating and exhibiting projects all over the world, from South and North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
He currently works as a Product & Innovation Leader and R&D Manager, while continuing to explore and create his personal artwork that delvs into traditional methods, analog technologies, and DIY underground cultures. He is based in Amsterdam.
Who are the artists, thinkers, or people in your life who have most shaped your creative path? How do you see their influence in your work?
“There isn’t just one person or movement that shaped my creative path, it’s more like a messy, ever-growing web of influences that spans across a bunch of different disciplines. I’ve always been drawn to a mix of things: filmmaking, sculpture, traditional visual arts, graphic design, toy making, and more digital-heavy stuff like VJing and animation. They’ve all left a mark on how I approach making things.
Some specific names that have stuck with me over the years are David Lynch, for the way he dives into dream logic and mood; John Martin and Caravaggio, who both bring this intense drama and contrast that I’m really into visually. On the more digital and audiovisual side, early VJ work and artists like AntiVJ, Ryoji Ikeda, and Alva Noto had a huge impact on how I think about live performance, sound, and visuals coming together as one.
Underground culture and pop culture have always been in the mix too. I see them not as opposites but as different languages I can speak depending on the project. For me, leaning into my influences has always been part of the process. Not to imitate, but to absorb and remix. I like the idea of creating something new that still carries traces of where it came from. Sometimes even to the point of being a mash-up of different influences and patterns.”
Can you tell me about a creative partnership or collaboration that deeply impacted you? What did you get out of it that you couldn’t have done alone?
“The most impactful creative partnerships for me have been the ones where I’ve been in the role of visual artist and VJ for performance art. I’ve had a lifelong collaboration with the choreographer Mario Lopes, which spans across different collectives like Collective DMV 22 and Collective FOAMS. This partnership has shaped my work in many ways. It’s still the core of my ongoing projects and the most active work I’m doing.
What makes it so special is that our projects are large, multi-layered experiences. We work with a lot of interconnected media, visuals, choreography, music.. and everything happens live. This kind of work is impossible to do alone. There’s a constant back-and-forth energy, and we’re always drawing from each other’s expertise to make the whole thing come together. Working with a large group of people brings so many fresh perspectives to the table that no two projects or performances are ever the same. Every time we collaborate, something new and unexpected comes out of it. It’s that unpredictability and collective input that really makes the work so dynamic and rewarding.”
Has creativity played a role in your wellbeing and in understanding yourself better?
“Definitely. Creativity has always been my escape, it’s where I can truly feel at home and where I get to unlock parts of myself that I don’t always have words for. Working on creative projects has been a huge part of my life, and it’s when I feel the most at ease. It’s not just about making something; it’s about understanding myself better through the process. My work has always leaned more personal and specific, not really political or broad. It’s about digging into my own experiences, emotions, and thoughts and trying to project that into whatever I’m creating.
For me, that’s a big part of the creative process, using it as a tool for self-reflection and wellbeing. It helps me sort through things that are harder to express otherwise. So, yeah, creativity is definitely more than just a job or passion. It’s a way of connecting with myself.”
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other creators?
“One piece of advice would be: don’t rush it. Don’t take your creativity for granted, and definitely don’t stress about finding your “style” right away. That stuff takes time, and honestly, it’s always changing. Your style, your approach, everything evolves as you grow. So, experiment with different media, try things that make you uncomfortable, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how you unlock new ways of working and find fresh ways to express yourself. And if something isn’t working, change it. Be open to new ideas, to shifting things around, and to embracing the process.”
What kind of creative collaboration or connection are you most interested in right now? How can our community support you or connect with your work?
“I’m mostly interested in connecting with other artists and creative spaces, like residencies and collaborative projects. Building a strong network is key for me, being open to working together, sharing ideas, and supporting each other. The best way the community can support is by staying open to collaboration and connecting over shared projects and values.”
You can connect with Victor here:
Website: victorpardinho.com
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Thank you for this very interesting interview. I'm always envious of creators who are good at collaborating. That's never been my strong suit. I love supporting other people, but when it comes to my own creativity, collaborations don't seem to go very well... But I appreciate the reminder that it takes time. This time I'm working on co-developing a class, so I have fingers crossed this will be a better collaboration.
This is excellent in it's explanation and exploratory ways of learning and creating. I found this very interesting! Thank you for sharing! :)