Maxence Duterne ‘grows’ type by simulating movements of the natural world

Multidisciplinary artist and designer Maxence Duterne is inspired by a quote from the Swiss visual artist Silvie Defraoui: “A work is never created alone, but in conversation with the world.” In response to this idea, Maxence used behaviours of the natural world to inform his creation of the Physarum Type Tool; a software that simulates growing nature.

Like the unstoppable force of nature, Maxence’s tool does not stop or rewind. When trying it out, “you can only contemplate its evolution as it seems to live on its own on the screen – you let go of the tendency to constrain other living organisms,” Maxence says. When words are typed, the serif of each glyph begins forming conventionally before growing tendrils, mirroring the growth of roots. The project is open source, made at the designers Brussels alma mater LaCambre where graduated with a Bachelors in Typography.

Maxence has also played with the possibilities of light in his project Tactile Light. Light – famously untouchable – is most commonly interacted with through its secondary state; reflection upon a surface. Maxence says, “This project explores capturing light itself as a touchable, physical phenomenon.” Maxence uses custom DMX-controlled lights, a tool for controlling multiple light fixtures, programmed via Arduino and Raspberry Pi 5 running QLC+, a light controller software. By combining smoke with repurposed everyday materials, a unique environment is manufactured whereby viewers can almost feel the light.

The natural world is often obfuscated by human control, and what Maxence seems to be drawn to is lifting the veil that separates the two. He is an active participant in conversation with the world, further inspired by the writings of Jack Self, Ernesto Oroza, and the poetry of Palestinian author Marwan Makhoul.