Jaap Drupsteen Dutch graphic designer, director and video artist
Jaap Drupsteen (1942–present) is a renowned Dutch graphic designer, director and video artist. Drupsteen played an important role in the innovation of graphic design in Dutch television.
In 1999 he set up Studio Drupsteen together with son Floris. They organise VeeJay projects for amongst others Q-Dance and develop techniques for synchronized motion graphics for dance and jazz music.
For the piece La Passione (2002) by Louis Andriessen, Drupsteen produced visuals to a live concerto performed at the Acht Brücken Festival Köln (2015). With his background as a musician (Drupsteen plays the contrabass), he manages to combine the disciplines of music and design. The symbiosis of sound and moving image is also expressed through his VJ art at performances of Tom Push, Piet Jan Blauw and Jacob ter Veldhuis in 2008 and 2009.
Contemporary serious music brings on a relentless flow of masterpieces only recognized and appreciated by a small audience. Lovers often had to learn how to listen before they were able to appreciate unpredictable melodies, dissonant harmonies, wry rhythms as beautiful moments in a fascinating musical adventure.
As a motion graphics designer and a TV-director I have for decades kept myself busy with research on inevitable connections between music and moving images. An important question was whether it would be possible to clarify the music experience of the public with focused designed images. I am happy to say that I found my hope and educated guess frequently confirmed. For me it's not a question anymore. Well crafted Music Visualization turns eye and ear into one faculty. The eye tells the ear how to listen. One concert was enough to turn despisers of Arnold Schoenberg into admirers.