Transcript
Speaker: Hello and welcome to Scrapbook, the podcast dedicated to all things digital art.
Speaker: I'm your host Michele Colonna and today I have the honor of speaking with Italian fine art photographer and digital artist Nati.
Speaker: Hi Nati and welcome to the show.
Speaker: Hello Michele, nice to meet you.
Speaker: It's so amazing being here, I'm so thankful.
Speaker: I know.
Speaker: Same here.
Speaker: The feeling is mutual.
Speaker: I've been, you've been on the list for a while.
Speaker: I'm not going to lie to you.
Speaker: I've had my, you know, my wish list of people to speak to.
Speaker: You were up there.
Speaker: And so I'm super excited that you have made the time and that we've made this conversation happen because there's a lot to cover, a lot I want to ask.
Speaker: And, you know, I've been your fan of, you know, it's, you know, I've noticed your work over,
Speaker: I would say like early on in my, in my entrance into the space.
Speaker: So, so you've been on my radar for quite a while and a little bit shy of my approach, but, but finally we're finally able to kind of, you know, schedule this, this, this, this call.
Speaker: So I'm super excited to have you on the show and I can't wait to, to get going.
Speaker: Where are you calling from?
Speaker: Are you, are you in, are you in Milan?
Speaker: Where are you based out of Nati?
Speaker: Yes, now I live in Monza, which is pretty much close to Milan.
Speaker: But I was born and raised in the south of Italy, so it's a very big change.
Speaker: Oh, I didn't know that.
Speaker: I did not know that.
Speaker: So you're in Monza now, but you're originally from whereabouts south?
Speaker: Calabria, Catanzaro.
Speaker: Oh, Catanzaro.
Speaker: Oh, not too far from my hometown.
Speaker: I mean, I'm Pugliese.
Speaker: I don't know if you knew that.
Speaker: I'm from Bari.
Speaker: So I was... Yeah, I can hear that in your Italian accent.
Speaker: I was born and raised there, but I mean, I've been in the States for a very long, long, long time.
Speaker: So Monza by way of Catanzaro and, well, you know, a due passi, two steps from Milan.
Speaker: So...
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: You're very close.
Speaker: All right.
Speaker: So why don't we jump right in?
Speaker: Because there's a lot to talk about, especially from your artistic standpoint.
Speaker: I just want to learn as much as possible since I have this opportunity.
Speaker: I don't want to waste a single minute.
Speaker: So I want to jump right into it.
Speaker: So, yes.
Speaker: So, so, so, so, well, there's a distinct signature aesthetic to your work, you know, which is characterized by the, you know, that unmistakable teal orange color scape, right?
Speaker: Which we see all over your, your, your photography.
Speaker: I actually find myself attracted more by the underlining themes of your photography, which is, you know, to me, it's a, it's a running commentary on the human condition.
Speaker: especially as manifested in the alienating effects of modern societies, right?
Speaker: That's what comes through loud and clear for me.
Speaker: You know, the idea that one can be made to feel invisible among a sea of humanity.
Speaker: Can you share with us your take on the vision behind your work?
Speaker: Thank you, first of all, for your kind words and for taking the time to
Speaker: really understand my work.
Speaker: I think that, you know, so many people just look at the overall aesthetic, which is totally fine.
Speaker: But for me, photography is not just about capturing beautiful images.
Speaker: It's a medium through which I can delve deeper into, you know, the complexities of human existence.
Speaker: And the concept of feeling invisible in a sea of humanity has always intrigued me.
Speaker: And I believe it's a sentiment that, you know, so many people can relate in, especially in today's fast paced and interconnected world.
Speaker: So, you know, through my lens, I aim to highlight
Speaker: the alienating effects of modern societies and kind of like spark a conversation about the impact that they have on our sense of self and connection to others.
Speaker: And I feel like by focusing on the individual within crowded urban environments, for example, I seek to portray the isolation and anonymity that
Speaker: can be experienced among, you know, the masses.
Speaker: And based on that, I strive to sort of create a visual narrative that invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences and consider, you know, the broader implications of
Speaker: our contemporary society, right?
Speaker: And of course, the use of my color palette is intentional as it adds, you know, a distinctive mood and atmosphere to the photographs, kind of like evoking a sense of introspection and
Speaker: In my approach, I pay attention to, of course, composition, lighting, framing to capture the essence of isolation.
Speaker: And I often emphasize to the
Speaker: juxtaposition between the individual and the surrounding environment, utilizing, for example, negative space or isolating the subject to convey a sense of detachment.
Speaker: Because I really hope that my work can spark a dialogue about the challenges that we face as individuals in a very disconnected world and
Speaker: By shedding light on these underlying themes, I aim to raise awareness and just encourage a deeper understanding of the human experience within our modern society.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: Because, well, to some people, I mean, the, you know, that signature colorscape, that teal orange, you know, could be the end game.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: You know, meaning that is the essence of Nathie's art.
Speaker: But it's not.
Speaker: It's really the, you know, that's the framework.
Speaker: That's the visual framework of the art itself.
Speaker: But it's really the portraits, right, that you try to and the stories behind the portraits, right, that you try to bring forth.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: Am I reading it right?
Speaker: Am I, you know, understanding your art correctly?
Speaker: Yes, absolutely correct.
Speaker: A hundred percent.
Speaker: Yes.
Speaker: It's those stories, right, that you tell, right?
Speaker: It's this, you know, it could be of loneliness, you know, and it's funny because a while back, one of our first interaction was a comment I made on one of your work where I said, wow, I really feel a Hopper-esque vibe into this work.
Speaker: And you come and you say, oh, Michele, that's like, that's exactly, that's one of my favorite artists, blah, blah, blah.
Speaker: But it's true, right?
Speaker: It's that feeling of feeling alone, right?
Speaker: Or this desolation, which is a side effect of modern living, right?
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And it seems like that's really what you are exploring, right?
Speaker: That's your life calling.
Speaker: That's your life subject.
Speaker: That's what you're trying to decipher and decode and make sense of it right through your work.
Speaker: Is that correct?
Speaker: Yes, it is correct because I think that it's a sentiment that each one of us can feel.
Speaker: Nobody feels happy all the time and you can feel alone.
Speaker: in a crowd full of people.
Speaker: So I think, yeah.
Speaker: And, and, and Nati, do you think it's, do you think it's, um, specific to city living or do you feel like it's just, uh, um, a manifestation of modern living in whatever form it takes a rural life or, uh, or I don't know, um, any types of lives.
Speaker: And it's just the fact that we are, uh, slowly being removed from, um, our, you know, uh, just a regular interactions by the distractions of, uh,
Speaker: of technology and so forth.
Speaker: I'd love to hear your opinion on that.
Speaker: Yeah, I think the feeling of alienation in my work goes beyond just the byproduct of modern living and still alive.
Speaker: Like while those aspects definitely contribute to the sense of isolation, I also delve into deeper themes of wilderness and the experience of being outsiders in our own reality.
Speaker: you know in today's world yeah where we are constantly bombarded with stimuli and social interaction it's not uncommon to feel disconnected from our surroundings and you know even from ourselves you know as i said the disconnection can manifest as a profound sense of otherness as if we are observing the world from the outside you know
Speaker: never feel fully like we are belonging or being understood right right and so as you because i know you like to shoot at night right you're like you're the vampire i agree yeah i noticed you you should i love it yeah because that's that's when the best stories come out right that's when uh that's when the city is at its most vulnerable right that's when uh
Speaker: And it's also at its most authentic, right?
Speaker: And it's most honest, right?
Speaker: I agree.
Speaker: I think it's the fact that the city gets quieter at night.
Speaker: But at the same time, it's almost like it's coming finally alive.
Speaker: Like it's less busy.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: But it's authentic self though, right?
Speaker: Because during the day it's got this mask, right?
Speaker: Because, you know, we either we go into the office or we go into see friends.
Speaker: So we always have this like this best air by ourselves.
Speaker: But then when the night comes, we kind of like, you know, you know, let go.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: So I'm sure the stories you pick up, you pick up, you know, when you decide to shoot are probably more genuine and more authentic.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: Yeah, I've been shooting photography since like more than 12 years.
Speaker: And, you know, as much as I enjoyed taking photos during the daytime, I just felt like it just wasn't for me because it was almost like the day had some sort of mass because like so many tourists, so many people going in and about.
Speaker: But at night, it's just totally different.
Speaker: Like I just feel inside.
Speaker: the city that i'm shooting in like during the day i just feel like an outsider like i'm yeah just that's a great point photo yeah you know where you kind of really catch the soul of milan right um you know in the good the bad and the ugly right agreed agreed life is not perfect
Speaker: Yeah, for sure.
Speaker: But that's, to me, that is worthwhile material, right?
Speaker: That is worthwhile art to document, right?
Speaker: Because it's the, you know, it's at its most unguarded, you know, it's at its most kind of, you know, left to its own devices, right?
Speaker: I feel like it's a much more sincere portrait of a city and the people.
Speaker: that populate the city.
Speaker: So my question was, as you get ready for the evening to go out and shoot, right?
Speaker: Are you preparing yourself mentally?
Speaker: Are you sort of like setting up the story in your mind as to where you're going to go chase?
Speaker: Because it is, you're chasing, you're a storyteller, so you're going to go chase these stories and these people.
Speaker: that tell these stories, right?
Speaker: Or do you just surrender yourself to the moment and say, I'm just going to get out of the house and I'm just going to take the number 26 to Piazza Zambaga, whatever it is, right?
Speaker: And I'm going to go shoot or is it much more premeditated than that?
Speaker: So I like to take
Speaker: even photography by my heart.
Speaker: So everything that I do is pretty much spontaneous.
Speaker: And I like, you know, the scenes to be candid, like, I don't want to, you know, think about what I want to photograph, even though it may help, you know, to, for example, build a photography project, but like, I just go with my gut and just, you know, I want to be present in the moment and just
Speaker: stroll around the city for like four or five hours and just see what my eye, you know, is capturing.
Speaker: And yeah, I think that's the beauty of it for me, because like everything is just so unexpected.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And what is usually your cue?
Speaker: Like what what will catch your your eye and say, you know what, this is I mean, it sounds probably like a stupid question, but I was just curious, like what triggers that?
Speaker: You know, it's like, oh, this is definitely something I need to capture.
Speaker: that's a very good question because like the subjects may vary and I think that also depends on my mood like especially at night you know you may feel some different emotions based on the way that I don't know your mindset is at what you're feeling at the moment and you know some nights it can be
Speaker: just lonely people just people you know i i have one of my favorite photographs and it's just this man sitting outside of a restaurant and there's like so many tables and chairs that's that's a heart that's heartbreaking that one is heartbreaking yeah and i know yeah it's um yeah because and that was shot also at the beginning of covid right
Speaker: Yes, that was actually in the middle of it because it's been two years now, so it's hard to remember exactly because time flew by so fast.
Speaker: Yeah, I know exactly which work you're talking about and it probably couldn't take it anymore.
Speaker: I'm just going to sit down and try to have a meal or whatever.
Speaker: It was a restaurant, right?
Speaker: Or a bar, right?
Speaker: Yeah, it was a restaurant.
Speaker: And there's all these tables, right?
Speaker: They were expecting people.
Speaker: Obviously, there's nobody there.
Speaker: yeah I was basically in the Nabeye district yeah and I was on top of like this bridge and I was just looking around as I turned on my right side I just saw this
Speaker: man, like just sitting there, it wasn't like even eating and there was a full crowd just passing by and no one was watching or, you know, interacting with him.
Speaker: And I, you know, kind of slowed down my shutter speed because I knew that I wanted to capture the flow of the people just, you know, passing by and him just being there alone.
Speaker: Wow.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: I mean, it's fascinating.
Speaker: One of the things I noticed about your work, Nati, is the fact that it seems like it's a very elaborate production set that's been set up with like tens of people working around and setting up the light and setting up the stage and setting up the scene and all that.
Speaker: And instead, it's just good old Nati, right?
Speaker: Kind of...
Speaker: On a bridge, right?
Speaker: Finding the moment and just capturing it, right?
Speaker: And then obviously all the post-production work that comes with that, right?
Speaker: Yeah, it's always just me.
Speaker: Yeah, because I've seen, you know, you have posted in the past, you know, pre and post.
Speaker: And there's a gosh, that's where you see the work that goes into one of your, you know, any of your projects.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: Because, you know, what what is first documented is, you know, is really it's a great composition, but it seems pretty, you know, common from just the quality of the image, right, of the aesthetic of the image.
Speaker: Then it's like all the layers, all the post steps that take place that turn into this masterpiece that you're able to create each and every time.
Speaker: But this is fascinating.
Speaker: I'm very flattered.
Speaker: Thank you so much.
Speaker: So, Nati, do you come to terms with this feeling of alienation as a byproduct of modern living and especially city life?
Speaker: Or is it something deeper that touches on themes of otherness, meaning a reality as being experienced as outsiders?
Speaker: And what I'm trying to get at with this question is also to the sense of a feeling of identity, right?
Speaker: Meaning, is it...
Speaker: Is it pervasive to anybody living in a city situation, privy to it?
Speaker: Or is it more something like the outsider experiencing it?
Speaker: Maybe in this case, somebody outside of Italian society or maybe somebody who has a different background.
Speaker: I don't know.
Speaker: I'm very curious to understand that point of view.
Speaker: So through my photography, I aim to capture this complex interplay between the individual and society.
Speaker: And I explore the idea that despite being surrounded by
Speaker: countless individuals you know as i said before we can still feel like outsiders unseen unheard and i think that this notion reflects to the deep-rooted yearning for connection and understanding that just exists within all of us yeah and i think that just by highlighting these teams i hope to
Speaker: spark introspection and empathy in the viewers and you know i want them to recognize the universal human experience of feeling you know just like you're either somebody else or just that you're not belonging whether it be in a busy city or within the broader context or of our society and i believe that we can faster
Speaker: You know, the sense of compassion and strive towards like building a more inclusive and understanding world, even though it seems pretty hard.
Speaker: But that's what I always try to do with my work.
Speaker: Interesting.
Speaker: OK.
Speaker: And do you find a place like Milan or Italy in general, you know, to be, you know, to be that kind of a place where, you know, an element of sort of like to get, you know, not togetherness, but what I'm trying to look for.
Speaker: of, you know, of melting, right, of cultures, of people, of ideas, is a fertile ground for that?
Speaker: Or do you experience it as a place where it has very, very distinct and very, very partitioned kind of pockets of people, cultures, or whatever?
Speaker: Mm-hmm.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: So I think Milan, since it's like one of the biggest cities in Italy, we have like so many different cultures, which is amazing because you can, you know, broader your views on so many things and, you know, you can pick up different languages, which is always fun.
Speaker: But at the same time, I think that the fact that it is indeed a big city, that is where almost...
Speaker: you know, you have that sense of not belonging, even though you may feel like you have everything in front of you.
Speaker: Right, right, right.
Speaker: And yeah.
Speaker: I think that's the main issue.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: So to me, it sounds like it has to do more with scale, right?
Speaker: Because it is, right, you know, a big city, a big place with people from all over the world and different languages, different cultures.
Speaker: And therefore, you know, one can feel, you know, lonely, right?
Speaker: And as an outsider, right?
Speaker: Okay.
Speaker: That's a great point.
Speaker: Now, I think of you as a very, very talented Italian artist and a fine art photographer.
Speaker: Does that description match up with your self-perception and sense of identity or is there more to it?
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: I would say that my self-perception and sense of identity go beyond being confined to a single label or genre.
Speaker: Like, while photography is indeed a significant part of my artistic expression, I see myself more as a storyteller who utilizes, like, various mediums and techniques to, you know, convey narratives and evoke emotions.
Speaker: Because I believe that art has the power to, you know, transcend boundaries and limitations and...
Speaker: you know, just by embracing this approach, I can, you know, explore different avenues of creativity and storytelling.
Speaker: So yeah, like while my work may often fall under the category of fine art photography, I also incorporate like elements of narrative symbolism and, you know, experimental techniques sometimes, you know, just to create a more nuanced and layered experience for the audience.
Speaker: And of course, for myself.
Speaker: Huh.
Speaker: So if I understand that correctly, what you're saying, Nati, is that photography is just one of your mediums and you could, we could easily see a, um, an essay, uh, uh, uh, you could write a, you could, you could, you could express your audio storytelling through a book, through a film, right?
Speaker: You could, it could be, um, it could be a cinematic medium, right?
Speaker: Um,
Speaker: And photography is just one of the many, right?
Speaker: Is that correct?
Speaker: Exactly.
Speaker: Yes, yes, absolutely.
Speaker: Like I didn't start, you know, this art journey as a photographer because I was a painter.
Speaker: I was an illustrator.
Speaker: And now I'm into, you know, video making.
Speaker: So I think storyteller just defines what I am better.
Speaker: Interesting.
Speaker: So, so it's, it's really about, it's, it's really about the desire and the need to communicate these stories.
Speaker: And then, and then whichever medium fits the bill for that, for that specific period of time that you're, that you want to tell that story, then you pick whatever, in this case, we're in late, you know, recently you've been working, you've been doing it through photography.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: I was not aware of your painting.
Speaker: So is there a body of work out there that needs to be seen?
Speaker: I was pretty young, so I didn't even take pictures back then of my work.
Speaker: But I have a profile where I used to share so many of my drawings and illustrations because I've been a graphic designer for the past seven years as well.
Speaker: So I just like to express myself in, you know, all kinds of art.
Speaker: Like I don't have to be the best at it, but just being able to do different stuff, I think it's important for me.
Speaker: Like, especially when I feel stuck, even now I do photography and video making full time, but sometimes I just need to paint and it's just something that I cannot help.
Speaker: We need to see that.
Speaker: You've got to share that with the world.
Speaker: Maybe, maybe one day.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Maybe one day I will.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Don't hold out on us.
Speaker: Don't hold out on us.
Speaker: No, you definitely have to share.
Speaker: And, but, and, and, and it sounds like you've also been working with film, right?
Speaker: Recently.
Speaker: Are you doing, are you, are you doing shorts and, and are there commercial initiatives or there, or there are artistic initiatives?
Speaker: They're artistic initiatives and it's always me.
Speaker: I'm always the idea maker because I like to write in my free time and it's usually just stories or dreams that I've had and I just want to write them down.
Speaker: One of my recent work is actually a short film and it was inspired by
Speaker: the movie by todd phillips the joker which came out in 2019 yeah and i was so obsessed with that movie for a long time that yeah when i saw a cosplayer on instagram i just had to contact and just be like let's do this wow
Speaker: Is it out?
Speaker: Can we see it?
Speaker: It is out.
Speaker: It has been out since a couple days now.
Speaker: It's on YouTube.
Speaker: It's on Instagram.
Speaker: It's not on Twitter yet.
Speaker: I just posted just a YouTube link.
Speaker: But yeah, it's out there.
Speaker: It's out there.
Speaker: Yes.
Speaker: So wait, you got to tweet about it so we get a link so we can go to it.
Speaker: Okay, I will.
Speaker: I will, I promise.
Speaker: And so are you doing... So, I mean, the question is then, like, would you shoot films, short films that you can then submit to the, I don't know, the film festival circuit, the short film festival circuit?
Speaker: Or is it something you want to keep much more, like, limited to just, you know, personal projects?
Speaker: I actually really like festivals and we are planning on
Speaker: you know, sending them out to a couple different ones.
Speaker: So let's have our finger crossed that, you know, somebody out there is going to like our ideas.
Speaker: Because I think in Italy, my cinematic approach is not the standard, which is completely fine based on the cultural aspect.
Speaker: right you, but I just hope that you know, the mindset can change.
Speaker: Because I think that the more people just broaden their views, the better it is, especially for artists.
Speaker: Yeah, for sure.
Speaker: For sure.
Speaker: I would recommend starting with Clermont-Ferrand in France because I used to be involved in that space.
Speaker: So if I remember correctly, the path was it started with Clermont-Ferrand, which is probably one of the most historical, one of the most established short film festivals.
Speaker: And then it would go from Clermont, it would go to Aspen.
Speaker: Then from Aspen, we'd go to Sundance.
Speaker: And then from Sundance, we'd go to
Speaker: um, to LA for the Oscars, right?
Speaker: That's the path you would take, right?
Speaker: Um, you know, once, once you were picked up by Clermont Ferrand, you would, you would get, then get picked up by Aspen, then Aspen, you know, um, that's where I recommend you would, uh, you would start submitting it then.
Speaker: And, um,
Speaker: I think I forget the name of the gentleman they used to run.
Speaker: That was Roger.
Speaker: He's probably retired now.
Speaker: But yeah, that's a great fast short.
Speaker: When it comes to I'm talking about just shorts, cortometraggio, not full length.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: So, well, that's exciting.
Speaker: I can't wait to check it out.
Speaker: You know, definitely make sure you please do tweet it so we can get a get a link and check it out because I'm sure it's going to be
Speaker: just as captivating and as amazing as your photography is, I'm sure.
Speaker: I hope you will like it.
Speaker: Aesthetic-wise, is there a common denominator with your photography or is it something that's going to feel completely new and out of left field?
Speaker: I want to take my...
Speaker: photography approach even on my other projects.
Speaker: It's where I belong the most.
Speaker: Like I just love the way my photography feels and it's what I really, really want to be doing in the future as well.
Speaker: So yeah, in the short film, you have two different color grades.
Speaker: One has a slightly tilling orange look for the day time.
Speaker: And the other ones is just completely Nazi signature.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Are you in love with that?
Speaker: Like silly question, but when you, when you, when you're done with the last edit, the last tweak, you're like, Oh my God, this is so freaking amazing, which it is, by the way, I can confirm you.
Speaker: It is as, as a, as an outsider.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: But you know, what's your feeling?
Speaker: Like when you, when you, when you made that last final edit, it's like, wow.
Speaker: Yeah, I agree.
Speaker: And don't be shy.
Speaker: Don't be shy, Nathie.
Speaker: Say it like it is.
Speaker: Oh, I'm not.
Speaker: Oh, I'm not.
Speaker: I'm so not.
Speaker: I'm just Italian like you.
Speaker: I just speak from my heart.
Speaker: So, yeah, I was just so happy that I almost cried because I was so proud of the entire body of work.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: You know, the team were basically my brothers who did the music, my best friend who was my assistant, you know, the actor that I just met on Instagram.
Speaker: Like it was just a little crew, but it just felt so professional because everyone just gave the best of them.
Speaker: Oh, that's amazing.
Speaker: It just made me so proud.
Speaker: Wow.
Speaker: Good for you.
Speaker: Good for you.
Speaker: Can you walk us through your path through Web3 and how your perception of the space has changed through the cyclicality of the space dynamics of the last year or two?
Speaker: And if you can please share your outlook, your future outlook on the space as well.
Speaker: That would be great.
Speaker: So for artists like myself, Web3 has provided a new avenue to showcase and monetize our work in a more transparent and decentralized manner.
Speaker: And the integration of the blockchain technology especially has introduced concepts such as NFTs, which allow for the tokenization of the ownership.
Speaker: of the digital assets.
Speaker: And I think this has, you know, completely revolutionized the art world by providing, you know, unique opportunities to sell and collect digital art and, you know, create
Speaker: direct relationship between artists and collectors which for me has been a life-changing experience because it bypasses the in-between right the the uh the middleman yeah for sure yeah exactly and as for the space dynamics i think that web3 has experienced its fair shape of hype fluctuations and evolving trends and
Speaker: I think that the rapid growth and adoption of the blockchain technology have been accompanied by periods of high enthusiasm and speculation, followed by market corrections and adjustment.
Speaker: And I think that this dynamic has made important for us artists and creators to navigate the space with caution.
Speaker: and, you know, ensuring a sustainable and long-term approach, especially to their work.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: When did you come into the space, Nati?
Speaker: Was it 2020?
Speaker: It was 2021.
Speaker: Oh, 2021, okay.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: I remember.
Speaker: Yeah, and your entrance was basically, was it like your first mint?
Speaker: Is that what it would have been?
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Or was it more getting familiar with the landscape and then, you know, putting your toe in the water and kind of, you know, warming up, right?
Speaker: Or was it, you know, quick?
Speaker: So basically, I like to really study every kind of market first before, you know, jumping in.
Speaker: And that's how I always do anything, really.
Speaker: So I spent like the entire 2021 just like,
Speaker: you know, study the market, studying what my other photographer's friends were doing, you know, reading threads, like so many things.
Speaker: And then, you know, when I finally felt ready, I just, you know, started to mentally work on the blockchain.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And now, did you find that transition daunting or did it come very naturally?
Speaker: Meaning like, you know, setting up the exchange account, whether it's Coinbase or Gemini, whatever it is, then getting your MetaMask or your Temple and then, you know, getting your Fiat to your Coinbase and all that stuff.
Speaker: Did you find that to be pretty, you know, pretty smooth or was it choppy for you?
Speaker: No, I've always loved technology.
Speaker: So for me, it was even more exciting to approach to something so new.
Speaker: So, you know, when I set up my wallet, I was like, oh, my God, this is so cool.
Speaker: And the fact that, you know, you have private keys and all of that.
Speaker: Just the technology behind it was so fascinating for me that it was not a weight on me at all.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And was everything available in Italy from the get-go?
Speaker: I guess because it is decentralized, right?
Speaker: So it's not like you had to go to a store and buy something, like a piece of equipment, right?
Speaker: It was all digital stuff.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: So I guess it was just as informed or as up to date as you needed to be, right?
Speaker: To be able to come into the space, right?
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: The thing that I remember, though, is that there were not many Italians at all that I had to create a group chat and just started to write on my Instagram account, you know, just comment over Twitter and just...
Speaker: you know, see about the blockchain and NFTs.
Speaker: And so, yeah, I did onboard a couple people.
Speaker: Now I have a group chat full of like, I forgot.
Speaker: Yeah, we are so many, but I'm just so happy that, you know, I've been,
Speaker: Italy right now is just on track with all the NFTs.
Speaker: I tell you the truth, Nati.
Speaker: I was super impressed when I... Because I came in, I want to say 20... I can't remember if it was 20 or 21, but it was an occasion of the...
Speaker: of the Combi, you know, the auction house, the Milanese auction house show that they did with, it was a dystopic show, you know, and that's when I came in and that was my first auction where I bought a piece.
Speaker: I bought a Nicola Scogna Emilio piece, this place.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And, you know, Los Chiavo was in that show.
Speaker: I think Coutinho was in that show.
Speaker: Nicola was in that show.
Speaker: There was so many amazing, Paola Pina was in that show.
Speaker: It was an amazing, incredible amount of artists.
Speaker: And I was like, oh my God, this is like really, not only amazing, but it's really impressive.
Speaker: Because, you know, I didn't know, because I've been a collector all my life.
Speaker: I've been collecting contemporary art all my life, right?
Speaker: But traditional art.
Speaker: So I did not know what the quality level was in the digital space.
Speaker: And I came soon to terms with the fact that it was very impressive.
Speaker: And it was a very proud moment for me that a lot of this talent was coming from Italy too.
Speaker: And I was like, wow, the scene in Italy is pretty sophisticated as far as the talent, on the talent end of things.
Speaker: Obviously, there was not that many users as far as
Speaker: you know, collectors, it's like Quattro Gatti, Four Cats, it was Token Angel, Token Angel and a couple of others, right?
Speaker: There wasn't that many people.
Speaker: And I don't know if it's still like that, if there are more than, but it was, but it was very, very encouraging and because, you know, you know, it is not, usually, you know, Italy is not always on in the, you know, in, in the news for, you
Speaker: the never the good things or the positive things so to to to realize that in a way it was very very refreshing and very very um it just felt good you know and i was like wow that's very very impressive and uh and i'm so i'm really really happy to see that it's a very very uh it's a solid scene it's a strong scene it's a it's a it's a scene with a vision you know you know look at the work that clapis is doing or
Speaker: uh like i said coutinho alessandro elacco pannoni it's like you know it's pretty you know it's pretty pretty impressive and then obviously what you're doing with photography and cinema it's uh i couldn't be i couldn't be happier and i couldn't be prouder and i couldn't be more excited than um than i am today you know so
Speaker: Super, super.
Speaker: I feel your sentiment.
Speaker: So you have your own community, your own group chat.
Speaker: Is it mostly artists or is it collectors or is it both?
Speaker: Or just builders and stuff?
Speaker: No, it's just artists.
Speaker: Like one is Italian and the other one is just international.
Speaker: And I think it's just fun to, you know, wake up in the morning and just say DM to each other.
Speaker: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker: You know, even send previews of what you're working on.
Speaker: Oh, that's so cool.
Speaker: Just talk about...
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: It's like a support mechanism, right?
Speaker: Also, yeah.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And, and so, and what is your future outlook on the space?
Speaker: Do you think, do you think we've crossed the digital Rubicon and there's no coming back to it?
Speaker: Or do you feel like it was like, maybe it was just a trend and it's eventually it's going to go, it's, it's going to go back to like it was before, you know, COVID or like, I'm curious to know what, you know, what, what your, what your outlook is on the space.
Speaker: I think technology is progressing so much that there's no going back.
Speaker: And I'm pretty happy about that.
Speaker: So I think that's interesting.
Speaker: I'm going to stay 100%.
Speaker: And
Speaker: Even with AI, I think there's so much more possibilities of having the blockchain explore so many different other aspects.
Speaker: So yeah, it's going to stay.
Speaker: Yeah, I know.
Speaker: And so I do agree with you.
Speaker: I'm of the same opinion that it's going to stay, that we have crossed the digital Rubicon and there's no coming back to it.
Speaker: Yes.
Speaker: And also that it is a good thing, right?
Speaker: Because it just expands the, you know, it's just an expansion of our knowledge base, right?
Speaker: As a race, right?
Speaker: As the human race, right?
Speaker: The expanding of our capabilities, of our sense of...
Speaker: of knowledge and, um, and our, you know, and what are, and the pushing of what our limits are.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: So I think it's going to be fascinating to watch.
Speaker: Now, obviously there's a dystopic element to that, right.
Speaker: Because, um, you know, if you look a lot of the, uh, you know, a lot of the artists out there, you know, uh, that deal with these themes, you know, do express a sense of anguish, right.
Speaker: Of, uh,
Speaker: Um, silent gosh, right.
Speaker: The, the, the, the fear for, of the unknown, right.
Speaker: Because it could go to a place where, you know, man makes way from machine.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: And there is that fear of what would that look like?
Speaker: You know, do we become at some point, uh, do we lose the control of the narrative and become subjugated to, uh,
Speaker: to the machine.
Speaker: You can certainly say that's the case.
Speaker: We could be leading to it, but there's that element of like, of the curiosity of wanting to know what is our limit, right?
Speaker: You know, how far we can take it as, as, as a race.
Speaker: It's almost a, I guess there's almost a little bit of a Fermi paradox there.
Speaker: So I don't know.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: You kind of like want to, you know, you're a bit scared, but you want to push forward because you want to know what's at the horizon, right?
Speaker: I think it's just as every new technology comes in, you just have that fear.
Speaker: You know, I can only imagine when just,
Speaker: moments came out the same thing probably happened you know it you have to like take these things with a positive approach because you know that that there will always be the good and the bad so why bother now i just yeah you know i think it's just an exciting time to be a part of this transform transformation and yeah yeah i just look forward to embracing everything that is coming
Speaker: Excellent.
Speaker: And so, Nati, can you share a little bit with us, you know, of your background and your artistic formation, you know, schools, you know, your academic formation and what led you through your artistic path?
Speaker: so my artistic journey began at a very young age when I developed a passion for painting as I was saying and I would often create landscape and still life paintings you know finding joy in expressing myself through art and as I grew older I transitioned from painting to drawing and I
Speaker: discovered a profound interest in art history and with Vincent van Gogh becoming you know the most influential figure for me and I just love his masterful use of colors and brushstrokes techniques and you know those are actually the things that inspired me the most to
Speaker: seek a similar level of emotional storytelling in my own art as well and despite my love for drawing I just found myself drawn to music during my teenage years as well and I just loved attending concerts and those just became a regular part of my of my life and
Speaker: You know, that just led me to ask my mother to buy me a camera.
Speaker: And from that point on, concert and event photography just became my focus.
Speaker: And that's actually when...
Speaker: I just, you know, picked up a school where, you know, I was not doing photography, but I was doing something similar.
Speaker: There was graphic design.
Speaker: So for me, that was just another.
Speaker: Did you go to a liceo artistico for the high school or something different?
Speaker: No, it was not a little artistic.
Speaker: It was more like, how do I say this?
Speaker: I'm trying to, because the school system is so different from Italy and all over the place.
Speaker: You know better.
Speaker: But yeah, I basically just went to a graphic design institution.
Speaker: So it was not like a...
Speaker: I don't know.
Speaker: Do you say high school or something?
Speaker: Yeah, high school.
Speaker: I forgot.
Speaker: Yeah, high school.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: So I chose that because I also tried to pick up languages, but I just didn't find myself, you know, really attached to that.
Speaker: So I ended up taking graphic design.
Speaker: I graduated from that.
Speaker: And that's actually when I knew that
Speaker: I wanted to do something with graphic design as well.
Speaker: And that's when, you know, I transitioned from the side of Italy to, you know, come here in Milan and just start working because I just wanted to, you know, showcase my artistic vision and finally work with clients and just, you know, grow myself as an artist and as a person.
Speaker: And as the years went by, I just developed a deep appreciation for other forms of art, including video games and movies, which for
Speaker: a girl like me is so unusual but I just loved it and you know games like GTA, Uncharted, The Last of Us, Cyberpunk like all of this just influenced my cinematic quality so
Speaker: That's amazing.
Speaker: Good for you.
Speaker: Good for you.
Speaker: I think we have to clarify for the non-Italian listeners that, you know, Italy expects you're 14 to know what you're going to do for a living when you grow up.
Speaker: So all the high schools are already, you know, they're already segmented into, you know, there's, you know, if you want to pursue the sciences, there's the licor scientific.
Speaker: If you want to pursue the humanities, you know,
Speaker: you go to the liceo classical.
Speaker: If you want to become a TV repairman, there's the Instituto Professionale and so on and so forth, right?
Speaker: And if you want to become an artist, there's a liceo artistico.
Speaker: You know, the reality is at the end of the day, everybody changes everything at the end because they realize that's probably not the address, you know, the career they wanted to make when they decided at 14.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, I think I changed twice, you know, if not three times.
Speaker: Oh, really?
Speaker: Yeah, but, you know, but it's part of the Italian educational experience, right?
Speaker: But we do okay, right?
Speaker: You know, eventually, you know, you find your way, you find your calling because, you know, I feel like the overall, the solid, the foundational, how do you say, in English, the teaching or the
Speaker: the learning, right, is pretty solid, right?
Speaker: Because it's steeped in the humanities, you know, whether it's... I mean, I think I did Latin until I was like 14.
Speaker: Yeah, it was mandatory.
Speaker: So, you know, for as much as you hate it when you're going through it, you know, in retrospect, it's like, you know, I'm really glad I did all that, right?
Speaker: Because it really...
Speaker: you know really grounds you and really provides you the you know helps with the critical thinking and all that so yeah but anyway so I'm sorry you were so you were saying you're in Milan now and yes I'm in Milan now and I was touching on when I just moved here and I joined a web agency as a graphic designer where I worked on logos you know branding ads and
Speaker: over time, I progressed to the role of becoming an art director, which was very fun.
Speaker: Very fancy.
Speaker: Yeah, also, yeah, it's a very fancy name.
Speaker: I was curating brands in, you know, so many different fields, which I think really made me grow as an artist because like, you had to talk to, you know, Mercedes and Tom Ford and
Speaker: you know you really develop some sort of like i i don't want to say like intelligence but it's almost like no it is it is it yeah it's you just have to know yeah it's experience where it is what it is right and uh you know you develop that uh the muscle right that um with you know just combination of creative and uh
Speaker: And, you know, persuasive, right?
Speaker: Because, you know, you build on confidence, you build on, you know, a know-how and like you said, and, you know, also an artistic element to it as well.
Speaker: So, excellent.
Speaker: So, Natia, as a key player and a contributor to the Web3 space, do you see yourself as part of a transformational art movement, or do you think it's mostly a technology conversation?
Speaker: Do you feel like we're going through...
Speaker: You know, we've been talking about contemporary art for like, what, 30, 40, 50 years now.
Speaker: And I feel like, you know, there hasn't been something new as far as currents or movements, right?
Speaker: Do you feel like that, you know, with this is different, with the advent of Web3, we are at the birth, at the beginning of a new movement?
Speaker: Or is it just like a technology conversation, as I said earlier?
Speaker: Yeah, I think I definitely see myself as part of a transformational art movement.
Speaker: Like, well, technology, you know, the technology conversation is...
Speaker: an integral aspect of the WebTree.
Speaker: I think it's not the only focus.
Speaker: And, you know, I think WebTree has opened up, like, new possibilities for artists to explore innovative mediums, engage with audiences in, you know, pretty unique ways.
Speaker: And I think it just challenged the traditional norms of the art world.
Speaker: So I think it just...
Speaker: allowed for the the centralization of the artistic ownership and yeah but but but that is that speaks mostly to market dynamics or to more like um like uh the uh the scene around it right um in terms of like you know true artistic nature right uh uh
Speaker: Do you feel like the art itself is going through a, because of the digital, right, the digital impact, do you feel like the art itself is going through a, not a remake, through the birth of something new, a new current, a new movement, artistic movement, right?
Speaker: Absolutely.
Speaker: Maybe it's inspired by the glitch movement.
Speaker: current maybe it's inspired by the by ai or maybe it's inspired by um you know whether it's technology or not you know is it like a legitimate new artistic movement or is it just the same old contemporary art that we just you know kind of transitioning you know tools with you know what i mean yeah i think artists though in the web tree space are just pushing boundaries and
Speaker: I just see like on my timeline, like just every day, I just see artists just exploring new ways of storytelling, collaborating, community building.
Speaker: And, you know, I've never seen something like this in the previous, you know, way of viewing art.
Speaker: So I think it's pretty new.
Speaker: And yeah, I just love it.
Speaker: So, so Nati, uh, believes that it is, uh, we're at the dawn of a new art artistic movement.
Speaker: Yes, I definitely think so.
Speaker: Okay.
Speaker: Okay.
Speaker: Um, so what, what's a day in the life of Nati?
Speaker: What does it look like?
Speaker: Let's, let's start, let's start at 7am.
Speaker: Oh my God.
Speaker: Where do we, where do we find her?
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: asleep probably I mean after like a long as I mean after like a long night you know taking photographs do you expect me to be yeah I suspected so I suspected so but no like a day in my life it's just filled with a mix of creativity and
Speaker: organization like of course it doesn't start at 7am but as I wake up like one of my first rituals is to review my to-do list like I'm pretty peculiar with that and you know it's just to ensure that all my tasks have been completed from the day before and I think that just it just helps me to maintain a sense of structure and it just keeps me on track with my
Speaker: And, you know, of course, depending on the day, my schedule may vary.
Speaker: Some days I just find myself immersed in the comfort of my home, editing, you know, fine tuning projects that I have been working on.
Speaker: And it's during these moments that I just bring my ideas to life, you know, whether I'm just writing down visual narratives or, you know, crafting the aesthetic aspects of, you know, a body work that I'm just currently working on.
Speaker: And, you know, other days I'm just out in the field with my team because I also do portrait photography or photography.
Speaker: fashion photography it just depends you know based on the idea that I had you know and we just spend pretty much most of the day just out shooting you know working alongside with my team we collaborate to bring ideas come to life you know combining our skills and vision to you know always create something impactful like no matter what
Speaker: the genre is like even with my portraits I always aim to tell a story no matter what because I just think that you know having the eyes and just a strong concept behind what you want to showcase it's it's just as important to me to bring that even in portrait photography for example
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And Nati, I have a question for you.
Speaker: To get to your desired end result, right?
Speaker: After all this time of creating that signature look, right?
Speaker: Is it a redundancy?
Speaker: Meaning is there a routine of steps or every single time is a labor of love?
Speaker: Like that you have to kind of like
Speaker: you know, grind it out and struggle through and get through the different edits till you get to that point?
Speaker: Or is it just a matter of like, okay, this is the picture.
Speaker: Let me just like, you know, three quick Photoshop steps.
Speaker: You understand my question, right?
Speaker: So I think for me right now, the process doesn't start
Speaker: in post-production and it doesn't even end there like it actually starts in the beginning of each project because like my eye just developed a sense of seeing you know different types of lights especially orange because you know
Speaker: The city lights are orange and it's what my eye just like pictures every time I'm out and about taking photographs.
Speaker: So you already see it, right?
Speaker: Yeah, it's almost like my eye is just used to seeing the photograph as the end result when I'm taking it.
Speaker: And I think it's where everything is just easier for me because I don't want to spend like two hours working on a photograph, especially when I make all the work before.
Speaker: So for me, it's essential to...
Speaker: envision what i want right away whether it be i don't know an orange shirt an orange backpack or especially the orange lights are the things that i look up the most because i know that in post everything else has to be blue and nuanced better oh interesting okay
Speaker: Oh.
Speaker: So you start with the... Okay, so you start with the orange element, right?
Speaker: And then eventually the blue works its way around, right?
Speaker: It finds its way in the image because it's the darkness in a way, right?
Speaker: It's almost like the orange is the light and the blue and the teal is the darkness, right?
Speaker: And that is funny because the blue is actually the light on the photograph itself.
Speaker: Right, right.
Speaker: I initially treated it as the darkness.
Speaker: Yeah, that's pretty much caught on.
Speaker: Fascinating, yeah.
Speaker: And I know you said this, but I'm going to ask you again.
Speaker: So do you see a digital future, something to be afraid of, to fear, or to embrace?
Speaker: I think it's important to approach this topic with an open mindset.
Speaker: Like, on one hand, there are valid concerns about
Speaker: the potential negative impacts of a digital future.
Speaker: And I don't know, like, these concerns can include issues related to privacy, security, job displacement, you know, digital divide.
Speaker: And on the other hand, I just think that embracing a digital future offers, like, so many opportunities and benefits and, you
Speaker: you know, digital technologies have the potential to enhance communication, collaboration, efficiency, you know, I think they just enable us to connect with other people worldwide and just have access to a very fast and, you know, different types of
Speaker: information.
Speaker: So yeah, I just think that to navigate the complexity of this digital future, it is crucial to find a balance and, you know, just address the challenges and
Speaker: I don't know.
Speaker: I think the best answer that I can give is just embrace it.
Speaker: Yeah, I think it's a very honest and very, very, it's a very sincere take, you know, which is, and there's a lot of truth in it for sure, so...
Speaker: Your project, which is one of my favorite, Beneath the Surface, I think it's called.
Speaker: To me, it feels like it's an invitation to explore, to dig deeper than the layers of superficiality.
Speaker: that we find until we reach, you know, we really get to the true self, the authentic self.
Speaker: Do you find that harder and harder to do because of our distracted lives, distracted lives as byproducts of a digital life?
Speaker: Yes, the project Beneath the Surface indeed serves as an invitation to explore and delve deeper to our authentic selves, you know, to send in the layers of superficiality that is just the character of our lives.
Speaker: And it just aims to reveal the profound and complex human experiences that just lie on
Speaker: beneath the present of this world and you know in the context of our modern world digital lives you know there's just so many distractions as we were saying earlier in our conversation and I think that the constant presence of digital devices and the rapid pace of online interactions can lead to
Speaker: fragmented attention and lack of mindfulness.
Speaker: So yeah, I just think that it's important to recognize the impact of the digital disruptions.
Speaker: Yes, 100%.
Speaker: I think that the digital platforms can provide spaces for self
Speaker: expressions and self-discovery.
Speaker: So I think that we need to overcome the potential barriers
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: And, and, and Nati, that's why I think this, this work is this particular, this work is important, right?
Speaker: Because it, it, uh, it brings that front and center, right?
Speaker: It brings that dilemma and that sort of like cautionary tale front and center, right?
Speaker: Um, you know, that there is a, uh, that there is a, um, what's the right word I'm looking for.
Speaker: There is a, a price to pay in a certain way, right?
Speaker: There is a, um, um,
Speaker: you know, a byproduct of that, you know, with all its amazing benefits and all the benefits and the convenience and the value that we get from the digital life.
Speaker: You know, there's also, you know, there's also a check, a bill that is presented at the end, right, that you have to pay.
Speaker: And the key is to really manage it, you know, in a smart way from the get-go so that it doesn't become,
Speaker: all one or all the others.
Speaker: So that's why I think this work in particular is very, very important because it really, like I said, it really highlights that and really brings it front and center.
Speaker: Absolutely correct.
Speaker: I think it's not something easy to understand and it's what I've been working on a lot lately.
Speaker: Like,
Speaker: introspection and everything to do, you know, with mindset, mindfulness, and just, you know, reflect on ourselves.
Speaker: And, you know, it takes time to understand a body of work like that.
Speaker: And, and I'm pretty happy that you did.
Speaker: But I think that this kind of work that just spark, you know, questions within us are the ones that, you know, are gonna give an impact.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: What projects are you currently working on that anything you want to share with, with the audience as far as upcoming projects?
Speaker: I'm currently working on a lot of things, as always.
Speaker: Do tell.
Speaker: I'm going to spill it out.
Speaker: So I have two upcoming short films.
Speaker: One is still in the early stages of writing, and the other one is actually something that I'm going to be filming next week.
Speaker: And I've been thinking about also releasing a book, hint, hint,
Speaker: for a long time.
Speaker: And, you know, yesterday, I knew it.
Speaker: I knew it.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Pretty cliche, but I don't know.
Speaker: I just love how my work looks on prints.
Speaker: So I always thought about making like a very high quality book.
Speaker: And that is why my entire shelf is now full of books for my favorite photographers.
Speaker: And it's not only because I love the work, but I just love the entire process of curating, like from the paper to the title, to how every page fits together, to the highlights, you know, maybe adding some pages with a different type of texture than the rest.
Speaker: Like, I just think it's very fascinating.
Speaker: I mean, it can be the work of art itself, the book, right?
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: Yes, absolutely.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: That's fantastic.
Speaker: That's so exciting, Nati.
Speaker: I had no idea.
Speaker: That's great.
Speaker: It is.
Speaker: It is.
Speaker: Are you?
Speaker: I've been keeping that as a secret.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Well, there goes a secret.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Wow.
Speaker: Are you, are you, are you super excited about it?
Speaker: Are you stoked?
Speaker: I'm so happy.
Speaker: Like it's something that I've been wanting to do for a long time, but I wasn't ready because I think that you have to be
Speaker: at a mature point of your artistic vision to actually think about a book, at least for me.
Speaker: I mean, other people can, you know, start at an early age and just, you know, see their mistakes in front of them and then, you know, change it up, just get better.
Speaker: But for me, I just like to, you know, be at my best self,
Speaker: And then I can start creating something that I'm really ready for.
Speaker: Yeah, I mean, because it's a serious business, right?
Speaker: There's the whole art direction component.
Speaker: It's, you know, it's not just putting pictures on a page, right?
Speaker: Yeah, it's not.
Speaker: It's actually pretty labor intensive.
Speaker: So, wow, that's so exciting.
Speaker: I can't wait.
Speaker: I can't wait to see it.
Speaker: I can't wait to see it.
Speaker: Do you think like three months, six months as far as publishing and all that?
Speaker: I was thinking about late December because it's when my birthday will be.
Speaker: So I don't know.
Speaker: I think it would be fun to celebrate with a book.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: I'm going to gift it to all my parents and friends.
Speaker: I mean, how many people can celebrate a birthday with publishing their own book?
Speaker: So good for you.
Speaker: I know, right?
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: That's fantastic.
Speaker: So with that in mind, then, so this is a question that I ask everybody.
Speaker: Everybody hates it, but I ask it anyway.
Speaker: So not in one year, not in five, and not in 20 years.
Speaker: Where do we find you?
Speaker: Oh, wow.
Speaker: Oh, wow.
Speaker: This is like the question that, you know, when you're applying for a job, people just...
Speaker: ask you well this is an interview for a job too i like it i like it though i like it yeah try your best to forecast your own life i really will so in one year yeah january june 6 2024 oh my god that is pressuring me um but no i don't know i just see myself
Speaker: deepening my artistic exploration and just expanding my creative horizons.
Speaker: And, you know, this could involve experimenting with new techniques, exploring like different genres or teams and even like pushing boundaries.
Speaker: Like who knows?
Speaker: Cause I just want to establish my presence.
Speaker: and the art world, you know, building connections within the industry and just engaging in collaborations with, you know, maybe other talented artists and creative minds.
Speaker: And additionally to that, I might explore avenues for showcasing my work in exhibitions, galleries, or
Speaker: online platform because it's something that i've been loving lately like a couple days ago i just went to churring and i went to one of my favorite photographers exhibition rue orkin and previous to that i went to vivian meyer's exhibition oh you did wait wait she's my she's one of my favorite no way yes wait where did you see that show was it in milan
Speaker: No, it was in Turin.
Speaker: I'm so crazy sometimes.
Speaker: Sometimes I just travel for exhibitions.
Speaker: Not gonna lie.
Speaker: Why not, right?
Speaker: I mean, Turin is like, what, an hour from you?
Speaker: Yeah, it's like two hours.
Speaker: Who cares?
Speaker: Yeah, who cares, right?
Speaker: To catch a Vivian Meyer show.
Speaker: My goodness.
Speaker: One of my favorite, I forget the name of that picture.
Speaker: It's the old folks all dressed in yellow and they're crossing the street.
Speaker: It's a genius shot.
Speaker: I'm going to send it to you.
Speaker: I'll DM it to you.
Speaker: She was such a genius.
Speaker: She was such a, you know, her.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: again i love with audibus right she's probably one of the yeah the best um that's fantastic so okay i keep going so now we have the hard part which is five years five years yeah so i think i see myself having
Speaker: I don't know.
Speaker: This is a hard one.
Speaker: I just hope to have gained a significant recognition for my work.
Speaker: And I don't know, being featured in prestigious publications.
Speaker: I just envision myself just to continue to push my boundaries and just explore technologies, mediums, platforms,
Speaker: So yeah, I just want to get my art.
Speaker: So in your mind, recognition by established, whether they're publications or institutions, that in the same time allow you to be an artist full-time, right?
Speaker: Because with that recognition comes the
Speaker: the demand for the work, right?
Speaker: The demand, the increase in value of the work and therefore allows you to continue to make a living off of it so that you can do that, continue doing that as full time because it is your passion, right?
Speaker: Correct?
Speaker: Yes, it is my passion.
Speaker: It is what I love the most.
Speaker: It is what my heart always beats for in the morning.
Speaker: So yeah, I think
Speaker: all of this would really help me, not only for myself, because of course that's normal, but the message that I want is just people to really understand my work and have a deeper connection to that.
Speaker: That is really why I'm doing what I'm doing.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: And art is what gets you up in the morning, right?
Speaker: It's what gets you excited about the day, yeah.
Speaker: It is.
Speaker: It is.
Speaker: Not at seven, but it is.
Speaker: That's it.
Speaker: So looking 10 years, you said?
Speaker: No, 2020, 2020.
Speaker: Oh my God.
Speaker: In 2043.
Speaker: I hope I'm not bad.
Speaker: I'm kidding.
Speaker: But I just strongly want my art to have influenced and shape the artistic landscape.
Speaker: I know it's strong to say, but I just believe in my work so much.
Speaker: And I hope that by then it's going to be leaving a mark on future generations of artists.
Speaker: Well, I'll tell you what, Nati.
Speaker: It sounds, I mean, it feels like it already is, right?
Speaker: Because, you know, you've done the hard part, which is establishing a framework or a visual framework and, you know, in a signature look, right?
Speaker: But obviously the...
Speaker: You know, the artist grows, right?
Speaker: You know, you're going to build on that.
Speaker: You're going to develop on that.
Speaker: You're going to probably go in different directions, right?
Speaker: You're going to probably adopt new different mediums, right?
Speaker: But the thesis, you know, behind the art, right?
Speaker: The creative vision behind the art...
Speaker: is, um, you know, is, is, is, is progressive, right.
Speaker: And it's, uh, and it builds and it never feels discontinued.
Speaker: It always builds on the previous, uh, on the previous, uh, steps.
Speaker: So you've, you know, you've developed that foundational aesthetic, right now.
Speaker: It just kind of, so in 20 years, uh, one could say, oh yeah, that is definitely, um, a naughty, right.
Speaker: Or yeah.
Speaker: And, and,
Speaker: It's so funny that you said that because sometimes people just comment on my work.
Speaker: They do it now.
Speaker: And, you know, that just makes me so happy because I've been trying to work on this style and just like this type of communication for people.
Speaker: more than a decade and just seeing that the results are being, you know, visible right now and tangible.
Speaker: It's just amazing.
Speaker: So I just hope that by then it's, it's not going to be like only.
Speaker: it almost becomes a canon right it's almost a canon it almost becomes its own school right of and yeah no for sure for sure but I feel like you've already done the hard work you know now and I do want to reiterate right because I did mention at the beginning
Speaker: that it doesn't end there.
Speaker: It's not the end-all, be-all, right?
Speaker: Because there is the whole work, the messaging behind it, right?
Speaker: It's the substance behind the aesthetic choice, right?
Speaker: The visual framework that is really, really...
Speaker: uh which is your storytelling right which which that never stops that never ends right whether you're telling it through a short film or you're telling it through a book that you're writing or whatever it is right it's uh it's really about the the the portrayal of the stories that you tell so yeah it's never gonna end because each one of us just go to different stages of
Speaker: life or just like experiences moments and you know those things are just gonna keep on inspiring you so yeah it's it's never going to stop now
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: So, wow.
Speaker: So an hour and 17 minutes, and I swear it feels like we just got on the phone.
Speaker: Oh, wow.
Speaker: This went by really, really, really, really fast.
Speaker: I agree.
Speaker: But that's what they say when you're having a good time.
Speaker: This was a...
Speaker: this was a, wow, a great conversation.
Speaker: And gosh, I was so looking forward to it.
Speaker: So Nath, anything else we want to add to this conversation?
Speaker: Anything you want to share?
Speaker: Anything we haven't covered that you feel like needs to be highlighted?
Speaker: Or you tell me.
Speaker: I think you've done a pretty good job with your questions.
Speaker: Like I really loved joining you because, you know, people are
Speaker: sometimes just stand by the upper image and, you know, they just see the surface.
Speaker: So I'm just glad that I had to talk about, you know, and delve deeper about the communication behind my work.
Speaker: Yeah, and you feel like we covered it well, right?
Speaker: We kind of peeled the layers, right?
Speaker: And got to the essence and to the core of who Nati, the artist, is, right?
Speaker: We did.
Speaker: We did.
Speaker: Absolutely.
Speaker: 100%.
Speaker: So thank you so much.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: So, well, thank you again, Nati.
Speaker: Like I said, it's been an amazing pleasure and an honor to have you on the show.
Speaker: Like I said, I was looking forward to talking to you.
Speaker: Huge fan of your work.
Speaker: And gosh, I feel like everybody should, if not familiar, they should definitely brush up on or research because it is a pretty vast body, right?
Speaker: It's on the foundation.
Speaker: It's on super air.
Speaker: It's an object.
Speaker: I mean, you work on both platforms, both blockchains.
Speaker: There is an element of scarcity.
Speaker: There's an element of thought out.
Speaker: you know, there is a discipline to the, uh, to the, to the, to the output.
Speaker: So, um, and for, for, you know, any collector, any respectable collector would find, would find that admirable and, um, and, um, you know, and interesting.
Speaker: So, um,
Speaker: So thank you again, Anati, for joining us.
Speaker: And thank you to the audience for listening.
Speaker: And we will talk next time.
Speaker: Thank you, everybody.
Speaker: And thank you for joining us.
Speaker: Bye-bye.
Speaker: Thank you so much.
Speaker: Bye.
