We were lucky to catch up with Juan & Valentina Delcan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Juan & Valentina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
We found ourselves knee-deep in one of the most impactful projects of our journey: an artistic residency with RAND Corporation. Debbie Millman and The Gordon Company handpicked us for this opportunity, and RAND Corporation is like this incredibly smart think tank that tackles all sorts of real-world problems. They do serious research on everything, from national security to public health, and they help governments and organizations make better decisions based on solid data and analysis. It’s basically the brains behind making the world work better. During our residency with RAND Corporation, we worked on several engaging projects. From envisioning bioengineering solutions to combat the Earth’s climate crisis to unraveling the strategies behind misinformation campaigns—crucial in today’s information age—we used our signature Matchstick People style as a visual hook to bring these critical topics to life. These experiences not only fueled our creativity but also reinforced the importance of media literacy and critical thinking in our modern information landscape. It was an opportunity to merge our artistic expression with the vital conversations shaping our world today, ultimately emphasizing the power of awareness in tackling complex issues.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
About Us:
Valentina Izaguirre and Juan Delcan, collectively known as the Matchstick People, we bring a unique blend of visual artistry to the creative landscape.
Valentina began her career as a model in Caracas, Venezuela, hailing from a family deeply rooted in the arts. Her father is a respected writer, and her mother is a well-known dancer. After moving to New York, Valentina transitioned to a career as a wardrobe stylist, eventually collaborating with Juan for the past decade on various artistic projects.
Juan, having led a Creative Agency in Madrid and Paris, later became a Creative Director for production companies in New York and Los Angeles. The struggles they face include the challenge of defending creative ideas in an environment that often favors familiarity over innovation. Despite this, they persist in pushing for great ideas that stand out.
Current Focus:
The Matchstick People work across diverse fields such as immersive shows, concerts, video games, interactive storytelling, art films, music videos, and advertising. Our specialization lies in visual storytelling, seamlessly blending live action with motion graphics, animation, and CG. Our distinctive style is marked by simplicity and a conceptual angle, aiming for maximum impact with minimal elements.
Obstacles and Creativity Amid Crisis:
One notable obstacle was the COVID-19 crisis, which affected our ability to work abroad. Despite the challenges, Juan and Valentina found themselves more creatively engaged than ever, turning adversity into a catalyst for innovative thinking.
Notable Collaborations and Achievements:
Juan has collaborated with poets like Billy Collins and Mark Strand, translating their poetry into films. Working with Louise Bourgeois on the film “The Spider” was a transformative experience. Juan’s collaboration with Paco Menendez resulted in the iconic video game “La Abadía Del Crimen,” loosely based on Umberto Eco’s “The Name Of The Rose.” Additionally, narrated by Neil Gaiman, Juan directed a chapter of the book “13 Clocks” by James Thurber.
Differentiating Factors:
The Matchstick People pride themselves on their ability to navigate various creative realms, providing a broad spectrum of services from immersive experiences to advertising. Our style, characterized by simplicity and conceptual depth, sets us apart, aiming to deliver impactful visual storytelling.
Key Message to Clients/Followers/Fans:
Juan and Valentina invite clients, followers, and fans to appreciate the simplicity and conceptual brilliance in our work. We are proud of our ability to find creativity even in challenging circumstances, promising a unique and impactful experience for those who engage with the brand.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The documentary film Le Mystère Picasso (1956) directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot has been a profound influence on our vision of the creative process. Clouzot’s portrayal of the joy inherent in the act of creation served as a powerful inspiration. Additionally, the two books by Le Corbusier, Modulor 1 and 2, played a pivotal role in shaping our approach. Le Corbusier’s Modulor, with its anthropometric scale of proportions, provided us with a visual bridge between incompatible scales, guiding our creative decisions and methodologies. This was especially significant during the inception of the Matchstick People concept, allowing us to integrate a harmonious and proportionate design ethos into our work.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One big lesson we’ve had to learn is that just because something worked before doesn’t mean it’ll keep making us happy. Back in the early days of our journey, achieving success with certain creative endeavors created a sense of comfort, but it inadvertently led us to a creative plateau. The familiarity of replicating what worked became a subtle trap, limiting our exploration of new, uncharted territories.
The backstory behind this is the realization that experience, while a blessing, can also be a burden. You see, the comfort of repeating past successes can impede growth and slow down the potential for innovation. But we didn’t stop there. We soon figured out that real creativity thrives when you’re in unfamiliar territory, even if it’s scary. Embracing the uncertainty, though it seemed daunting at first, was the key to breaking free from the same old routine. It allowed us to find new ways to express ourselves with fresh energy and authenticity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thematchstickpeople.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juan_delcan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thematchstickpeople
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juandelcan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/juan_delcan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juandelkan