M.A.O_@RT? What does this means?

In french , it means: "Manipulation Assistee par Ordinateur d'une facon @RTistique"
witch would sounds like "Computer assisted manipulation in an artistic way" @ as technology icon...

MaO_@rt, named Stephane Rando, born in december 83 in France, came to Scotland after his studies as automatician.
Not seeing his future working in study desk, he decided to travel aboard seeking for new adventures.
His dreams were, that one day, he would manage to make a living thanks to art...
At first, it seemed that music would be his way...

At 13, after having try several instruments, guitare and drums became a daily basis.
Few years later, his heart slowly started to get addicted to the warm and fat bass
coming from the speakers of a few kilowatt of electro sound systems...
He have been playing a wide variety of instruments and style , from the chill-out classical guitar
to the dark heavy electronic passing through the ethnic influence of the worldwide music.
Computer and music programs evolving, it became its main music expression/creation tool.

Until tree years ago...
His dreams felt apart the day he realized he had damaged the unmissable muscian's sens!
The waves that made his heart beats all those years suddenly became his worste nightmare...


"I really realized, too late, how dangerous load music could be! Our ears are much more fragile than
what we can think. It is difficult to realize what an handicap it can become until we experience it ourself...
Unfortunately, once damages done, it is more likely to stay the way it is..."

IF YOU LOVE MUSIC, PROTECT YOUR EARS!

BUY EAR PLUGS!!!

You can't get new ears...........

After difficult moments to go through, Mao_@rt naturaly developped a strong attraction for photography and digital art.
Using Edinburgh as a playground and his frustration as a source of power and inspiration, he managed to produce first class
quality photography (Land and cityscape, panoramic, little worlds etc...) as well as introducing us to what he call "The Spirits"...
Those crazy monsters coming from all around us,  who can not be seen anywhere else....

"I have been interested by art since ever... but i really invest myself into photography in september 07
when I decided to buy a decent camera and since , i can't stop shooting thing!
Along with photoshop, it have been a way to exorcise my frustration of not being able to play music like before,
finding a second breath to express myself..."

Back in 2009, Mao_@rt, along with the photographer Ian Astley and the Kaya graphics gallery have opened the Maoartland's gallery in Edinburgh.
The gallery have only be opened for 6 month but Mao_@rt went forward a step closer to his goal.

"Running the gallery was an amazing experience! It is a shame we had to close down. I can't wait to do it again...
I now focus myself on improving my skills in 3D, graphics and video keeping as well photography projects running and some how, music production..."

Exhibitions :

Wash bar - the Mound, Edinburgh
From 17/08/08 to 10/02/10


Edinburgh Festival People
At the Odd Fellows bar Edinburgh
From 10/08/08 to 16/08/08

Press :

_ Advanced photoshop magazine (August 08)

_ Digital SLR photography magazine
"La roue de la fortune" / Editor choice November 08