XCOPY Collaborations
Last week saw XCOPY post on twitter “show me your CC0 work” this led to many artists uploading their work, to the surprise and delight of many XCOPY remastered a handful of pieces in his trade mark style!!
One of these artists was IWAN/// an artist we were about to do a drop with on Nifty Gateway, so with a few messages to XCOPY he agreed it as an official collaboration and we published the work last Friday. It was an enormous success with nearly 7000 entries into the draw for 500 pieces available!!
For me this was a dream come true to curated arguably the greatest digital artist this space has ever seen. I wall forever remember that day.
Artist interview Derech
“what if life was a movie?”
One of the stand out photographers of 2023 is Derech, his multi layer movie like scenes transport the viewer into a world of intrigue and wonder.
Who are you and what do you do?
Gm gm, I’m Derech, a multimedia artist who captures the simplicity of daily life through cinematography and gives it a touch of nostalgia and timelessness.
Why art?
I believe that there are things beyond what we can rationally understand, and art operates in that realm. It's a language that, when executed well, can travel straight into our souls and memories, touching fibers that make us feel new things. The experience of people resonating with me and my work is what makes me love creating more and more.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
I take inspiration from many artists, such as Wong Kar Wai's beautiful nostalgia interpreted by complex visual narratives and deeply emotional scenes, Akira Kurosawa's experimentation with parallel storytelling, Monet's eternal dreaminess, Saul Leiter's timeless eye, and Fan Ho's exquisite compositions and attention to detail. There are endless artists I could mention since I've been an artist since I was a kid, and every time I see something I like, I reinterpret it and add it to my bag of inspiration.
How do you work?
I go out to the streets and tell myself that I'm not me, dissociating myself and entering a trance in which I become part of everything to sharpen my senses and pay more attention to everything that's happening. I focus on the ambiance, how that moment feels, and what it tells me. That's why I love asking "what if life was a movie?". Art is a 24/7 job, a discipline that requires total immersion. I never stop creating, and ideas keep coming, which leads me to either fully focus on one piece or work on multiple at the same time. I just LOVE what I do...
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I'm lucky to say that I've received many, but the one I loved the most was when someone said that my work reminded them of how lucky we are to be alive in this world full of so much beauty. After nearly committing suicide a few years ago, I made it my mission to inspire others to live life, and my way to communicate that has always been art.
What has been a seminal experience?
Overcoming suicide by creating art. Every piece I create is proof to myself that life is worth living. Hopefully, it has the same effect on others going through rough times or those who simply forgot to appreciate the small details of daily life, like seeing the night rain, someone mysteriously smoking, a girl laughing, a kid running, or even people just walking...
What is your dream project?
Ideally, shooting a movie, but to be honest, every piece I create is my dream project. I treat every one of them as if it were the last thing I’ll ever make.
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to?
I don't like being compared 😅
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Actions speak louder than words.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give an upcoming artist?
Always be genuine, care for your collectors, and stick to your roots.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Shoe seller, dog walker, creative director, freelance graphic designer, motion graphics artists, concert visual designer, nightclub waiter, store manager, and many others that you wouldn’t imagine…
How has your practice changed over time?
It's hard to describe, but at first, I was doing my own thing which I loved. However, as I started to grow and people began to support me, something new ignited in me that made me break boundaries that I didn't even know existed. Once you lose everything in life and hit rock bottom, you realize the value of everything. As I'm writing this, I could have decided to pull the trigger that day I was sitting on the edge of my bed, but I didn't do it. Today, I have a whole community that decided to stand with me, support me, and push me further. My craft is now their craft too because I wouldn't be anyone without all of them, who I call the "Derech Family."
What's your favorite artwork?
For many years, I struggled to understand myself because I didn't know that I am on the autism spectrum. This made me hypersensitive to many things, especially sounds and visuals.
Why do I mention this? Because whenever I see a painting, watch a movie, or experience an installation, I feel it down to the bone. After many years, I found out that I see myself through art because there are things I can't put into words, but I can see or feel them through a piece.
If I had to narrow it down, I'd say my favorite artworks are Jackson Pollock's One: Number 31, any Rothko, Monochrome Blue by Yves Klein, and any movie by Wong Kar Wai.
What themes do you pursue?
"Slow down, breathe, and enjoy the fleeting seconds of life..." and "What if life was a movie?" These two quotes are always present in my mind for everything I do. Coming from a street photography background, I search for raw human interaction that makes even the simplest of moments memorable. A lady walking holding her umbrella, raindrops sliding on a window, people having dinner, someone resting and smoking a cigarette... It's those candid moments where I find people being themselves that remind me that the small things in life count.
What art do you most identify with?
Cinematography is what I most identify with at the moment, but it's a constantly evolving process due to my diverse backgrounds. I tend to navigate through different disciplines and take what can help me grow in the main one I'm focusing on at the moment. For example, I use the rules of grids from typographic design to create my compositions when I shoot. Also, my knowledge from painting is applied when I'm color grading. The process is never-ending.
Artist review Sanuri
Doodling has always been Sanuri’s favourite way to create artwork, as it allows him to unleash his creativity and imagination without any constraints. He is able to use his emotions and imagination to bring ideas to life and create a masterpiece that truly reflects his inner thoughts and feelings. Also, through doodling, Sanuri is able to express himself in a way that words cannot.
Sanuri’s inspiration often comes from what he reads or sees, this allows his surreal, imaginative mind take over. He loves to explore different concepts and ideas, and doodling allows this in a unique and personal way.
Sanuri has always been drawn to creating images that are dreamlike and intricate, with hidden details that require a closer look. Starting with black and white, he uses paint and ink to bring his visions to life. As he became more confident in his abilities, he began to experiment with different colours, adding depth and complexity to his work.
Sanuri enjoys exploring the interplay of colours and experimenting with different techniques to create unique effects. His artwork has become a reflection of his personal growth, evolving from simple black-and-white sketches to vibrant, multi-dimensional pieces that capture the imagination.
And it wasn't until Sanuri started creating NFTs that he began to explore digital painting. The world of non-fungible tokens opened up a new avenue for this artist to showcase his art, and he quickly realised the potential of digital tools to take his creations to the next level.
Thanks for reading this issue, if you like it please do share on twitter and tell your friends!!