I was invited by Sol (Crypto Forager) to create a cover for the Redline Team. Sol and I had worked prior on the NFT YEAR BOOK for my Feature and we had a long conversation about my art practice a while ago so he was familiar with my works, presence, and contributions to the web3 arena and I was honoured to be asked.

We decided the week commencing 18th Dec would work for me as I had other projects and art releases happening earlier in December and wanted to give this Cover Art Feature my full attention. This conversation happened in Nov and I had no idea what the topic would be until a couple of days before the actual release of the artworks on the week commencing December 18th, 2023.

December arrived. The frantic frenzy of Art Basel Miami and the hullabaloo of the tinseltown took over the crypto news. A lot happened during this time. Tez-pole became an instant sensation, Solana / DCA hit ALT after a long bear, thus (amongst other things) triggering a mass migration of artists and collectors keen to explore and discover the Solana eco-system for the first time, Meta-mask/ Ledger hack left everyone baffled and on shaky waters in term of safety. An impassioned and highly divisive debate also erupted about the disclosure/ nondisclosure of AI by some artists in their works. 

Amongst all the noise a very important and historic moment took place. The legendary trailblazer of digital art, Vera Molnar very sadly passed away on 7th of December, 2023 after a long creatively highly productive life. She was 99 years old. 1 month shy of 100 yrs! Only a few discerning souls in Web3 noticed. However, the impact of Vera on the history of Digital art, computer art in particular has been massive. I suggested to Sol that whilst a lot of other things happened, it would be an honour for us to be able to a homage in remembrance of Vera Molnar, given my long-standing advocacy for female empowerment in the space.

Sol discussed it with the Redlion Team, they all felt it would be wonderful and I was given the green light on Friday. I immediately dived deep into Molnar’s history, keen to read up on all the obscure facts and her story and see all the art that I could search for. I was particularly struck by a few of her quotes. 

"To genuinely systematize my research series I initially used a technique which I called machine imaginaire. I imagined I had a computer. I designed a programme and then, step by step, I realized simple, limited series which were completed within, meaning they did not exclude a single possible combination of form." - From "Vera Molnar. Lignes, Formes, Couleurs"​​. I decided to create a conversation piece with Vera (post-humous)

"The machine, as impressive as it may be, is after all merely a tool in the hand of the painter... The computer helps, but it does not 'do', does not 'design' or 'invent' anything." - From "Vera Molnar. Lignes, Formes, Couleurs"​​.

It became apparent to me that my art piece would be a conversation of energy and contracts of our particular practices. Using ephemeral elements in nature or satellite maps; photography is always a building block as it records and makes the ephemeral mortal, and then I take it further than the photograph. Whilst different in disciplines, mine is a complex and nuanced practice, just like vera. Harnessing the simplicity to say complex things. Both of our practices are experimental in the sense that there is deep research, 

There is also a huge element of spontaneity and surrender for me whilst working with Nature as you can’t control it hence going with the flow is important, whilst Vera worked in a manner that gave her the sense of control and parameters to measure it. 

At the intersection of nature’s algorithms and humanities, my creative aesthetics was influenced by Middle Eastern architecture and geometric abstraction. I explore human conditions, war, and female identity in my ever-evolving practice, seeking authenticity and a careful dissection of the spontaneous occurrences where patterns emerge. 

Process:

I created 2  animated iterations for this release. A legendary piece in pastel colors and one where the animation moves from a modern to a vintage hue. The base layer is created from light and wind on the surface of water. The movement is determined by the wind pattern. Several processes through code to then geometric pattern. The idea for this piece evolved from my an old drawing of my daughter that I recently came across and couldn’t stop thinking about. A child's depiction of a half-girl and a half-robot, to my mind, reflects on AI's growing role and its implications for humanity not just art. I created the likeness of a young ever fresh Vera through AI and created several layers of patterns inspired by her process with collage and photo stitching. Then I wrote “I AM AI” all over the piece; painfully obvious and also hiding in plain sight.

“Veritas numquam perit: Veritas vos liberabit.
Truth never perishes; Truth will set you free

At the dawn of “Synthetic Frontiers”, faced with the new conundrums of intellect and imagination, humanity must look inward to find the truth it seeks. Guided by pioneering spirits such as Vera Molnar; thinking beyond the horizon is the only way. “As we lay rest a kindred spirit way ahead of its time; a fusion of brilliance of intellect and imagination; the future belongs to the courageous, who venture beyond the known, merging the fabric of reality with the threads of synthetic possibility.

After The Release:

I was truly humbled by the positive response to my homage piece. Unknown to me, tho I was overjoyed to hear that my Cover release was paired with a free airdrop from the legendary Synchrodogs curated by Batsoupyum.

Sol had put me in touch with the whole Redion team. I was invited to their discord with a cover artist badge and given a very warm welcome. The team is super friendly and dedicated to elevating the artists they work with. I wasn’t even aware that Sweet Potato had written an article about me to feature alongside my release. The depth of research blew my mind. He had really done the research on me. I felt truly humbled and excited.
I also crossed paths with Batsoupyum because of this release and was truly humbled once again to hear their comments on my art. Multiple collectors wrote heartfelt threads about my discovering me, my art, Synchrodogs, and Batsoupyum’s first solo curation.

This has been a thoroughly positive experience and I look forward to working with the team again I wish everyone who is reading this, a very happy, peaceful, and fruitful 2024 and beyond.