EXPANDED Magazine
FEATURED INTERVIEWS
FEMALE PIONEERS AND POWER STRUCTURES
TALI HINKIS: THE GENDERED SPACE OF TECHNOLOGY
INTERVIEW
Read More"Humanity as we know it now is the product of technology. As daunting as it is to think of all the ways that humanity will change as a result of AI’s development, it seems not only inevitable but inexorably human to evolve in these ways." – Sasha Stiles
AI and Poetry on the Blockchain
SASHA STILES: THE NEVER-ENDING CYCLE OF TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS
The idea of writing a poem is, for many, quintessentially human and deeply expressive, and it stands in stark contrast to sterile and emotionless technology. Sasha Stiles, however, has always seen these two halves as a whole and finds the blockchain to be the perfect home for her writing. The Kalmyk American poet uses technology as a lens through which to understand the importance of poetry to humans and explores the technological side of lyrical writing—how poetic language has always been a data storage system.
In conversation with Anika Meier, Sasha Stiles discusses the possibilities of poetry on the blockchain and the role AI plays.
Performance Art and Feminism
OONA: QUESTIONING THE VALUE OF WOMEN'S ARTWORK
OONA, the anonymous performance artist, is a mirror. Born from the rich history of feminist video and performance art, OONA's work centers on topics all of us know but often are too fearful to broach. She is a rising figure in the NFT space engaging in performances virtually on her Twitter feed and physically in the form of live auctions at museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and art fairs such as Art Basel Miami.
In conversation with Margaret Murphy, Head of Community, OONA discusses the blockchain as a medium for performance art, the equity (or inequity) of the new online art world, and existing as a female artist under the male gaze.
Feminism and Virtuality
MARTINA MENEGON: EXPLORING DIGITAL BODIES AND IDENTITIES
Inspired by the endless artistic potential of cyberspace and evolving technologies, Martina Menegon’s art explores the multidimensionality of the body—specifically her own. Viewers pinch, push, and drag 3D scans of Menegon’s nude body across a screen, inspiring questions regarding the consumption of the female body both on- and offline. While many artists hesitate to incorporate a virtual practice, Menegon is embracing it and setting the stage for feminist art in the fast-approaching Metaverse age.
In conversation with Margaret Murphy, Head of Community, Menegon discusses the expanse of the Internet, her relationship to her physical form, and the importance of female artists supporting one another.
Algorithmic Poetry
ANNE SPALTER & NATHANIEL STERN: AT THE FOREFRONT OF AI
When exploring new territories, it is often helpful to not walk alone. That’s probably why we see more and more artists collaborating on projects in the NFT space. Experiences can be shared and expertise combined. When Anne Spalter and Nathaniel Stern met, they both knew it was meant to be. Their encounter influenced their artistic practice and impacted their work with AI. Spalter and Stern have been collaborating ever since, exploring video, poetry, and AI.
In conversation with Anika Meier, the artists discuss their practice, working together, and the present and future of AI. And, of course, the conversation was also about Spalter Digital, one of the world’s largest private collections of early computer art, comprising over 1000 works from the second half of the twentieth century.
Artificial and Emotional Intelligence
ANNA CONDO: "ALL ART IS ARTIFICIAL"
For Anna Condo, an artistic path was almost predetermined. Coming from a family of artists, she explored various approaches for her own path: acting, filmmaking, photography, painting, and NFTs. In July 2022, Condo discovered the tools of AI and has been inspired by them ever since. Staying true to her visual language and the flower as her ultimate muse, the artist explores beauty in subtle ways.
In conversation with Anika Meier and Margaret Murphy, she looks back on the art world of the 1980s, speaks about her artistic influences, and discusses the promises of AI.
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DIGITAL ART
MARGARET MURPHY IN CONVERSATION WITH BANZ & BOWINKEL
BANZ & BOWINKEL: SIMULATING REALITY
INTERVIEW
Read More"Many of the early pioneers did not dare call their work art and instead categorized it as design." – Herbert W. Franke
Virtual Architecture and Spatial Paintings
Manuel Rossner: Creating Virtual Worlds
The German artist Manuel Rossner has been creating digital spaces and virtual worlds since 2012. He explores how society and art are impacted by technological advancements. He is best known for his site-specific digital work—virtual reality drawings that crash with physical buildings. His intervention focuses on the context of their location and the materiality of the digital. In conversation with Anika Meier, Manuel Rossner speaks about the present and future of digital art.
Transcendence Through Artistic Practice
ANNA BELLER: THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL OF ABSTRACT ART
Painter Anna Beller believes in the importance of process in her abstract artistic practice. Whether in her physical paintings or NFTs, creating art provides Beller with an experience transcending time and space. Beller speaks about art as a form of religion, balancing both a digital and physical practice, and her sensory response to painting with Margaret Murphy, Head of Community.
INTERVIEW
Read More"Even though I use my avatars to gain self-awareness and heal from the complicated relationship with my physical self, there are times when I wish I could leave my physical body and be them instead." – Martina Menegon
Sifting Through the Web3 Sandbox
COLLECTORS TALK NFTs: DANIEL KANTOR
Collector Daniel Kantor, known by his alias DCN7RLZ and his macaque monkey profile picture on Twitter, says that when it comes to NFTs, he "came for the art, stayed for the community". He began his journey on the platform HicEtNunc and is now one of the Tezos blockchain's most active and passionate collectors. For EXPANDED.ART’s collector series, Kantor discusses his passion for digitally-native artwork, equitable collecting, and the significance of the social scene of Web3.
Distinguishing Signal vs. Noise in NFTs
COLLECTORS TALK NFTs: JOSH YAKOV
Josh Yakov, known as @delta_alpha_ohm on Twitter, stumbled upon NFTs by way of cryptocurrency during the pandemic. For EXPANDED.ART's collector series, Yakov tells us how as his collection grows, so does his drive to discover meaning through art.
