“Conscious breathing releases a lot of psychological energy, diffusing fears and honing our attention.”
A Life Shaped by Music, Psychology, and Technology
Stan Adard, born Ralph Marcel Stucki in 1954 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, has navigated an extraordinary journey through multiple disciplines, each leaving an indelible mark on his artistic evolution. He began as a musician immersed in the progressive rock scene while simultaneously pursuing studies in Psychology and Education at the University of Zurich. His fascination with human cognition and behavior extended into the realm of technology, where he founded and led three IT companies specializing in enterprise resource planning systems. Yet, despite these successes, his artistic spirit remained restless, leading him to a new frontier—digital art.
His transition into digital artistry was not an abrupt departure but rather a natural convergence of his past experiences. The analytical precision of software development, the emotional depth of music, and the introspective wisdom of psychology all merged into his creative practice. His work centers on mindfulness, using technology to visualize the rhythm of conscious breathing. This synthesis of art and meditation fosters a unique sensory experience, inviting viewers to engage in a meditative state through digital motion. By integrating Buddhist principles with digital innovation, Adard has cultivated a body of work that transcends traditional artistic boundaries, making meditation accessible through visual immersion.
Nestled in the tranquil Jura Hills of Switzerland, Adard’s creative sanctuary is surrounded by untouched nature—rolling meadows, fruit trees, and wandering wildlife. This peaceful environment profoundly influences his approach, allowing him to escape the distractions of modern life and channel his focus into digital compositions. His artistic process is as much about mental discipline as it is about technical execution. When distractions arise, he returns to the very practice that defines his work: conscious breathing. This self-awareness shapes not only his creative process but also the essence of his artistic message.
Watch the artwork breathe: https://vimeo.com/838974158
Watch the artwork breathe: https://vimeo.com/842762696
Stan Adard: The Evolution of ‘The Breathing Pictures’
Adard’s signature project, The Breathing Pictures, is a groundbreaking fusion of digital art and meditative practice. These works depict visual landscapes that subtly shift in alignment with a structured breath rhythm—three breaths per minute—mirroring deep meditative states. Unlike conventional digital artworks, these images do not simply exist to be observed; they require the viewer’s participation. Only through stillness and mindful breathing does the movement within the artwork become perceptible, reinforcing the importance of awareness in everyday life.
This project emerged from a deeply personal realization. Despite his success, Adard often struggled to carve out even brief moments of reflection in his fast-paced professional life. Recognizing this common challenge, he sought to create an artistic tool that would encourage individuals to pause and reconnect with their breath. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that conscious breathing has the power to dissolve anxiety, sharpen focus, and cultivate inner peace—an antidote to the relentless stress of contemporary society. Through The Breathing Pictures, he transforms digital screens into spaces of stillness, offering a moment of respite amid the chaos of modern existence.
One of his most meaningful works within this series is The Breathing Day, an interactive experience designed to guide participants through controlled breathing in just two and a half minutes. Accompanied by a soundscape composed by Swiss musician Mihaly Horvath, this piece serves as both an artwork and a meditative tool, available freely to anyone seeking a moment of calm. Over time, his exhibitions have placed increasing emphasis on this interplay between digital motion and respiration, reinforcing his belief that art can be more than a visual experience—it can be a gateway to mindfulness.
Watch the artwork breathe: https://vimeo.com/505626052
Artistic Influences and the Philosophy of Digital Expression
Adard’s creative influences span multiple disciplines, reflecting his multifaceted background. His time with the progressive rock band Nautilus instilled in him a deep appreciation for collective synergy—those rare, transcendent moments when a musical ensemble functions as a single entity. This sense of cohesion continues to inform his digital practice, where synchronization between movement, breath, and perception becomes paramount. Beyond music, his academic studies in social psychology and his yearlong Buddhist meditation practice have profoundly shaped his thematic focus, inspiring him to explore the ways in which art can foster mental clarity and self-awareness.
The intersection of technology and artistic expression plays a crucial role in his work. He views digital media as an evolving, democratic form of art—one that can be easily shared, replicated, and accessed by a broad audience. Unlike traditional mediums constrained by physicality, digital art has the power to reach people across the world instantaneously. This accessibility aligns with his core mission: to promote mindfulness on a global scale. By leveraging the versatility of digital platforms, he ensures that his work is not confined to galleries but can exist in everyday spaces, from home screens to public billboards.
His passion for filmmaking has further expanded his artistic repertoire, allowing him to experiment with narrative-driven visual experiences. Award-winning short films such as Time(s) to Breathe, Breathing Through, and Blue Buddha Meditation demonstrate his ability to translate meditative concepts into cinematic form. These projects combine animation, sound, and rhythm to create immersive experiences that extend beyond passive viewing. Each piece reinforces his belief that digital art is not merely a medium for expression but a tool for transformation, guiding viewers toward greater mindfulness through dynamic visual storytelling.
Watch the artwork breathe: https://vimeo.com/1011364573
Watch the artwork breathe: https://vimeo.com/1011364935
Stan Adard: The Future of Breathing Art on a Global Scale
Looking ahead, Adard envisions expanding the reach of his work beyond personal screens and gallery spaces. One of his most ambitious projects is to transform Switzerland’s public billboards into synchronized breathing centers for World Breathing Day, held annually on April 11. By repurposing these commercial displays into meditative tools, he aims to disrupt the visual noise of urban environments, replacing advertisements with a universal reminder to pause and breathe. This initiative embodies his belief that conscious breathing should not be confined to private meditation sessions but should become an integral part of public life.
A similar vision extends to the heart of New York City, where he dreams of implementing Midnight Art in Times Square. This project would dedicate three minutes before midnight to a collective breathing experience, offering a rare moment of stillness in one of the world’s busiest locations. By integrating mindfulness into iconic public spaces, Adard challenges conventional notions of where and how meditation can take place. His work suggests that even in the most fast-paced, overstimulated environments, moments of introspection are both possible and necessary.
At its core, his artistic mission is deeply intertwined with a broader social consciousness. He acknowledges the pervasive fear, inequality, and suffering that define many aspects of modern existence. In a world where anxiety is often manipulated for control—whether through economic instability, social pressures, or global crises—he views conscious breathing as an act of resistance. By encouraging individuals to reclaim their focus and clarity, he seeks to counteract the mechanisms that exploit fear. Through his art, Adard does not simply offer visual stimulation; he provides a means of empowerment, demonstrating that something as simple as a breath can be a powerful force for change.
