19 Colourful Installations By Tomislav Topic To Warm The Soul

Born in Hannover, Berlin in 1985, Tomislav Topic is one half of the ‘Quintessenz’ duo, known for their colourful installations that create an illusion of moving pixels because of the way they subtly play with light in atypical locations. Topic has gained an international reputation for his unique creation of an unmistakable style while working on individual installations and suspended works, which are quite impressive in their own right. 

#1 Calm Noise (2021)— Paris, France

#2 Balanced 17/5 (2021) — Dortmund, Germany

During this time, Topic recalled, was when he discovered graffiti. This led to him exploring his artistic efforts in different environments. He was drawing on trains, walls and just about everything he could get his hands on, even while he attended university. At this point, Topic divulged, people who saw his graffiti murals kept telling him he had a feel for colours, which encouraged him to create even more vibrant artworks. 

#3 Follow Long (2020) — Beijing, China @Wangjing Laneway

#4 Afterglow (2022) — Doha, Qatar

#5 Tomislav Topic

Eventually, Topic ended up studying colour design for about 5 years, out of which 1 year was spent studying in the USA. A professor who saw his work at the time recognised his potential and pushed him to keep exploring site-specific work. In the beginning, Topic mentioned working for free quite often, and eventually, he posted his work online. This led to more job offers inviting him to add his expressions to various festivals, which in turn increased his exposure within the art scene. Eventually, he became an expert in this particular field and currently enjoys his ability to bring joy to his public audience worldwide in a professional capacity.

#6 Airdrops (2024) — Berlin, Germany

#7 Pause. (2020) — Zwickau, Germany @IBUG Festival

#8 Paradis Perdus (2017) — Les Baux-de-Provence, France

Claiming to have developed an interest in the world of art since he was a little boy, Topic quickly realised it was somewhat of a confusing choice for others. He revealed that 99% of people asked him how he dedicated so many years to studying colour and colour design. He realised that the impact of colour in our society, culture and culture is important, yet colour itself is taken for granted. Despite colour simply being an illusion of the play of light in terms of reflection and absorption, he mentioned feeling that on a conscious level, people still don’t understand how colour affects our lives. 

#9 Eastern Lights (2019) — Bucharest, Romania

#10 Nenuphar de Molitor (2018) — Paris, France

#11 Porta Pigmenta (2022) — Houston, USA @Trebly Park

Topic claimed that his goal is to be someone who transports the emotion and the impact of colour through his art to people. His travels across various countries transformed his understanding of colour, and it dawned on him that colour is a universal language. He reflected that, despite the barriers of gender, age, language and cultural background, seeing colour affects people the same way. This, he iterated, is the inspiration behind his constant fascination with blending colour, architecture and the natural environment to create a cohesive impression for viewers. 

#12 Dark Opal (2023) — Rosenheim, Germany @VR Bank

#13 Carme Genesis (2019) — Brescia, Italy

#14 Flowtonica (2023) — Paris, France

Topic’s installations are pre-conceptualised abstract plays on colour, design and form. He uses a series of techniques to construct his designs. He revealed how he goes into a little bubble where outside disturbances can’t intrude during his creative process, and he applies all the various techniques he has learnt through observations of the natural play of colour in different situations. 

#15 Central Color Station (2019) — Hannover, Germany

#16 Interlude (2023) One Holland Village, Singapore

#17 Reformation (2021) — Paris, France @Exhibition Metamorphosis Foundation Fiminco

#18 Chang(n)ing Colorways (2018) — Shanghai, China

#19 Kagkatikas Secret (2018) — Paxos, Greece @Paxos Contemporary Art Project

#20 Alltonal (2016) Hamburg, Germany @Altonale Festival

Topic laughingly acknowledged that he doesn’t dress colourfully but he loves to bring joy through his inclusion of colour in his art to bring a positive impact to the outside world during hard times. No matter individual religious beliefs, orientation, or political affiliations he wants to communicate a positive feeling to the public because he himself is quite a positive person.