Curated Conversations: socmplxd – SuperRare Magazine

EternalPepe: NFTs and platforms like Manifold have allowed artists to create “gamified” drops or drops with “mechanisms” built in. You released “Eggditions” that allow a collector to receive a rare piece if they collect the whole set. What are your thoughts on tech’s influence on art or vice versa? Is the “crypto culture” making art “gimmicky” or is it bringing in new people that normally wouldn’t buy art?

Socmplxd: Drop mechanisms can be enjoyable to experiment with, but they aren’t essential for everyone. I’ve made two drops in the past, combining art editions with PFP minting mechanics and rarity, and each drop had surprises for collectors. As a traditional illustrator, this experience has been invaluable, learning about collaboration, community organization, and other tech-driven aspects. It’s something I wouldn’t have considered without the technology. Rather than viewing it as mere gimmicks, I see these endeavors as ongoing experiments, providing artists and collectors with entertaining ways to connect and collect for various reasons.

Shutong: Could you talk about your inspiration behind “Seafood Tower” for this Curated Release?

Socmplxd: For this particular art piece, I wanted to challenge myself by creating a vertical 16:9 format piece, something I have never done before. In researching different art forms, I found inspiration from Chinese scroll art, which emphasized the significance of the visual journey in both elongated vertical and horizontal formats. Drawing from this influence, my goal was to create a composition that would take viewers on a captivating visual journey of shapes and colors, unfolding from top to bottom. A feast for the eyes.

Continuing with my exploration of the food theme, I focused on my love for seafood. Images of elaborate seafood towers have always captivated me, but I have yet to experience them in person. It has become somewhat of a culinary grail for me.