In the world of fractal art, color is direction and emotion. Fractal art is built on endless repetition and intricate geometry, and color is the highlight that guides your eye. When Julius Horsthuis is directing, the highlight becomes sublime. His palettes lean toward the cosmic and cinematic–a glowing spectrum of brights that resemble a cathedral of the future. He sculpts digitally with light. Horsthuis builds hypnotic, mathematical dreamscapes that reflect the kaleidoscopic folds of the universe.
Before he immersed himself in the world of fractal animation, Julius spent 15 years in the Dutch film and entertainment industry—starting on set and later becoming a visual effects artist. He’s since become the high priest of psychedelic geometry. His dazzling animations have captivated audiences and caught the eye of Gizmodo, Newsweek, and The Creators Project. His fulldome film Fractal Time was named one of Forbes’ top XR experiences of 2019.
Sound is a big part of the spell: Julius curates the music that accompanies his voyages, favoring ambient, cinematic, and electronic soundscapes that feel like sonic stardust. The right melody deepens the trance.
Julius has created visual masterpieces for artists Max Cooper, Meshuggah, and Eric Serra. His animations have lit up stages behind Lady Gaga and Avicii, and even made surreal cameos in Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, and the digital opera Upload.
From immersive domes in New York to installations in Moscow, Montréal, Hong Kong, and beyond, Julius is spreading fractal fever across the globe. He’s graced major festivals—Art Basel, Coachella, IDFA—and continues to push the boundaries of digital expression from his studio in Amsterdam.
Julius Horsthuis turns math into magic—and the universe is his canvas.
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