SCARLETMOTIFF (Noel Apitta) is an audio-visual artist from Kampala, Uganda, operating along the threads connecting creative technology, audio production, graphic design, and the materiality of light.
Through a practice centered on iteration, repetition, and spontaneous composition he seeks to convert the rich analog narratives of human experiences into digital expressions, blending real-time generative computer graphics and original soundscapes to create abstracted vignettes of directed emotion.
Since July 2020, this iterative approach has birthed over 1500 unique web-native video artworks as part of the daily audio-visual project GENERATIVE DREAMS; and seen his practice evolve to explore light and its relationship to physical space as a medium for immersive journey-making.
From video sculpture and immersive projection mapping to interactive audio-visual installations, his work has been exhibited at the Noor Riyadh Light Art Festival (Riyadh, 2022), Afri Art Gallery (Kampala, 2022), the NEOSHIBUYA 15 Second Museum (Tokyo, 2021) , Afropocene StudioLab (Kampala, 2023) and the BuzzFest Tech Art Festival (Austin,TX, 2022).
In 2024, SCARLETMOTIFF was the Prohelvetia Artist in Residence at L'Abri Geneva, Switzerland.
Since 2023, he has been an artist in residence at the Afropocene StudioLab
EDUCATION
YouTube Distributed Academies for the Dark Art of Everything The Internet [Ongoing]
BSc. Electrical Engineering Makerere University Kampala, UG [2020]
EXHIBITIONS
RESPIRATIONS Featured Sanatorium de Bergesserin, Bourgogne, FR [2024]
DENVER DIGERATI: SILENT SCREEN Featured Denver, CO, USA [2024]
Indonesia Bertutur 2024: KIRANAMAYA Featured Peninslua Nusa Dua, Bali, ID [2024]
In Transit Under Another Sky Group Exhibition Kampala, UG // Nairobi, KE [2024]
Festa das Luzes de Joinville Featured Joinville, BZ [2024]
PROOF OF WORK Group Exhibition Afropocene StudioLab, Kampala, UG [2023]
Noor Riyadh Light Art Festival Featured Riyadh Art Riyadh, KSA [2022]
PORTALS Solo Afri Art Gallery, Kampala, UG [2022]
BuzzFest Tech Art Festival Featured Austin, TX, USA [2022]
NeoShibuya TV 15 Second Museum Featured Tokyo, JP [2021]
Creative Code Festival Featured Lightbox NYC, NYC, USA [2020]
RESIDENCIES
Prohelvetia Artist In Residence at L'Abri Genève Residency Geneva, CH [2024]
Moving Image East Africa Workshop British Council, Kampala, UG [2024]
African XR Realities Workshop Electric South/Meta, Cape Town, SA [2023]
Afropocene StudioLab Workshop Kampala, UG (2023-Present]
Electric South New Dimensions Lab 5 Workshop Cape Town, SA (2022]
STAGE + VISUAL
MoRoots: A Concert From The Sun Scenography / Visuals Kampala, UG [2018]
TALKS + SELECTED PRESS
Yinka Shonibare Foundation Article From Kampala to Nairobi ‘in transit under another sky’ explores creative practice across borders [2024]
STIRWorld Article Exploring the digital arts practice of retro-inspired artist and musician, Noel Apitta [2021]
Touchdesigner InSession Showcase / Interview TouchDesigner InSession with Noel Apitta [2021]
theFound Article Noel Apitta | a self-taught creative technologist and audio-visual artist [2021]