In It 5 The Art #18 – Chikai @lifeofc

it was truly an epic time getting to chat w Chikai about life, art, AI, the future, the journey, and everything in between. this one was a banger, enjoy homies🤘🔥

2:00 Chikai's Journey from Tech to Art

6:00 NFTs and Exploring the Space

10:00 Transition to Collecting NFTs

15:00 AI as a Tool for Art

18:00 Using AI in Daily Life

20:00 Evolution of AI in Technology

25:00 Universal Basic Income and AI's Impact on Jobs

30:00 The COVID Pause and Its Impact on Work

35:00 Chikai's Experience as Co-Founder of Google Earth

40:00 The Influence of Google Maps

45:00 Transitioning into NFTs and Art

50:00 Moving into AI Cinematic Art

53:00 Future Goals: Creating Full-Length Films

56:00 Exploring Fan Engagement Models

1:00:00 Die with the Most Likes @toadswiback and Memetic Art

1:05:00 Collecting Art and Supporting Artists

1:10:00 Chikai’s Approach to Collecting Art

1:15:00 Impact of Art on History and Culture

1:20:00 Staying Authentic in Art Creation

1:25:00 Speculating vs Collecting What You Love

1:30:00 Closing Thoughts and Final Reflections

LFG

In It 5 The Art #17 – Jake Fried @jakejfried 👁️

this absolutely golden conversation was super eye-opening for me as an artist & creator. Jake is a truly incredible dude with so much wisdom to share. i hope u enjoy🤘

0:00 – Introduction, chatting with Jake Fried  
1:00 – Jake Fried’s background in animation  
2:00 – Jake discusses his art journey and approach  
3:00 – Selling art at a young age  
5:00 – Evolving from painting to animation  
6:00 – Not needing a final image, embracing evolution  
8:00 – Transition to flip books and animation  
9:00 – Alchemy and magic in animation  
11:00 – Process of creation, losing oneself in the work  
12:00 – Patience and focus, applying lessons in life  
15:00 – Zoning in vs. zoning out during work  
16:00 – Evolution of work with fatherhood  
17:00 – Reflecting on artistic development  
18:00 – Influence of kids and creative play  
19:00 – Simplification of symbolism in art  
21:00 – Influence of fairy tales and early myths  
22:00 – Impact of visual information on kids  
23:00 – Art as an accessible, universal language  
25:00 – Encouraging creativity in children  
27:00 – Teaching art and influence of digital art  
28:00 – The rise of digital tools and animation  
30:00 – The role of spiritual experiences in art  
31:00 – Jake’s relationship with hallucinogens and meditation  
33:00 – Art as a meditative process  
35:00 – Extreme focus during art creation  
37:00 – Losing oneself in art-making, compared to athletics  
38:00 – Art as a spiritual, meditative exercise  
40:00 – Zoning in during creative work  
41:00 – The importance of daily practice in art  
43:00 – Jake’s evolving work-life balance  
45:00 – Artistic authenticity and resisting external pressures  
47:00 – Taking creative risks and saying no to projects  
49:00 – Navigating the commercial world as an artist  
51:00 – Advice to young artists: focus on the work  
54:00 – Digital scarcity and the NFT space  
56:00 – Licensing animations for mainstream media  
58:00 – Putting animations online and allowing organic growth  
1:00:00 – Embracing teaching as an extension of studio practice  
1:02:00 – Branding oneself as an artist  
1:05:00 – Importance of financial stability in art  
1:07:00 – Balancing artistic integrity with commercial opportunities  
1:10:00 – The evolving role of digital art  
1:11:00 – Closing thoughts on the importance of making the best work

In It 5 The Art #16 – DK @danielkoeth 

as well as an absolutely wicked artist, DK is an incredibly down-to-earth human being. i truly enjoyed our convo. tons of golden nuggets in this one 🔥

1:00 – DK's Background in Photography
6:00 – NFTs & Speculative Art in 2021
10:00 – First Success with $ASH
17:00 – Support from the Community
20:00 – Transition to $ETH
30:00 – Contextualizing Artwork
33:00 – Choosing 1/1's Over Editions
38:00 – Auctions & Price Discovery
46:00 – Strategy for Low-Reserve Auctions
50:00 – Current Projects & Future Plans
54:00 – Composite Photography Process
1:00:00 – Emotional Ownership of Art
1:06:00 – Advice to Artists on Failure & Style

LFG DK MY BRUTHER

In It 5 The Art #15 – @wwwcolorcolor

colorcolor is a fkn chad of the highest proportion. was truly an epic time chatting w this dope mfer

1:00 – Nostalgia in art
3:00 – S symbol, Ticonderoga pencil
5:00 – Contemporary nostalgia
7:00 – Nostalgic surrealism
8:00 – Past collections, pop art
15:00 – Inspiration from Rare Pepe and crypto art
17:00 – Gerhard Richter's influence and abstract art
21:00 – Distortion, WWW aesthetic, glitch art inspiration
25:00 – Early art journey, clothing design
28:00 – Gallery department collaboration, boutique fashion
34:00 – Reflections on minting frequently vs. restricting supply
37:00 – Mint first philosophy and blockchain provenance
41:00 – Love Being and the value of free artistic expression
45:00 – The ethos of cypherpunk art and punk rock spirit in crypto
48:00 – Thoughts on crypto art and supply manipulation
49:00 – Balancing artistic value with supply and demand
51:00 – Long-term value of art and artist's commitment
53:00 – "War of Art" book, hierarchical vs. territorial view of art
56:00 – Experimenting with zero auction and bidding strategies
58:00 – Importance of continuing to mint despite market conditions
1:02:00 – Upcoming one-of-one show and artistic ambitions
1:03:00 – Living in Tokyo, remote crypto job, lifestyle shift
1:06:00 – Comparisons between Japan, Thailand, and the U.S.
1:10:00 – Reflecting on value in the art world and onboarding new artists
1:11:00 – mutual respect, and excitement for future projects

In It 5 The Art #14 – feat. @stephensantoro_ curator of Machine In The Ghost by @0xdiid at @vertufineart

0:00 Stephen’s Background & Introduction to NFTs
- Stephen has been in the art space for nearly a decade and joined Vertu Fine Art three years ago. He became passionate about NFTs and Web3 in 2020, inspired by projects like Art Blocks.

3:09 Market Maturation & Speculation
- The art market has matured, with genuine collectors remaining after the speculative bubble. Stephen values this shift towards a focus on art for art's sake.

5:10 Encouraging Artistic Experimentation
- Stephen believes artists should experiment freely, viewing failure as a crucial part of growth, and argues against public backlash when experiments don’t succeed.

7:00 Collectors’ Influence & Supply Control
- While collectors can express preferences, Stephen advises against them dictating artists' actions. He advocates for artists releasing work with genuine intent rather than manipulating supply.

9:35 Bridging Digital & Traditional Art
- Stephen emphasizes the importance of integrating digital art into the traditional art world through education, curation, and exposure to new audiences.

14:24 The Importance of On-Chain Art
- On-chain art imposes creative constraints that can drive innovation. Stephen sees it as a crucial part of digital art’s future, offering permanence and new creative possibilities.

19:19 Future Vision for the Art Space
- In 10 years, Stephen envisions blockchain becoming the standard for art ownership, with digital artists integrated into the broader art world.

22:57 Advice for Emerging Artists
- Artists should focus on presenting their work thoughtfully, using direct and curated platforms rather than generic tools like Linktree, to effectively communicate their vision.

27:20 Vertu Fine Art’s Future & Stephen's Goals
- Stephen aims to support and elevate artists through Vertu Fine Art, using blockchain to innovate in the art space and encourage broader participation in on-chain art.

41:00 Reflecting on Influence & Future Impact
- Stephen discusses the potential impact of his and others' work in the art space, highlighting the importance of each block on the blockchain as an opportunity for artists.

52:00 Closing Thoughts on the Art Space
- Stephen emphasizes the need for more art transactions on the blockchain and reflects on the long-term potential of the digital art space to grow and inspire future generations.

'twas an absolutely fkn incredible time chatting w Stephen about art, the space, and his outlook on it all from past to future

truly a brilliant convo, enjoy homies!

In It 5 The Art #13 – feat. noper aka @bagdelete

1:00 - noper's journey into art, education at FSU, and how he discovered NFTs in 2021.

3:00 - noper's start in the NFT space, initially as a collector before creating his own work.

6:00 - the shift from skepticism to appreciation of AI-generated art and his exploration of AI tools.

9:00 - noper's early experimentation with Blender and Photoshop neural filters, leading to more advanced AI art.

13:00 - developing noper's unique style inspired by childhood memories and dreamlike environments.

19:00 - reflection on his career growth, emphasizing patience and not rushing the creation or sale of art.

23:00 - noper's strategy of low reserve prices to let the market determine the value of his work.

26:00 - Platform Choices: keeping work on Ethereum, avoiding multiple chains for simplicity.

31:00 - Creative Process: Describes his full-time dedication to creating art and the variable time it takes to complete pieces.

37:00 - AI Music: Talks about using AI to create music for his videos, blending AI with his own production.

41:00 - Daily Routine: Shares his daily routine, balancing art creation, gaming, and spending time with his dogs.

45:00 - Full-Time Artist: Explains how he became a full-time artist after being laid off from his electrician job.

46:00 - Client Work: Discusses landing high-profile clients like Future through Instagram.

50:00 - Hobbies: Talks about his interest in skateboarding and how he balances work with other activities.

56:00 - noper encourages artists to stay true to themselves, focus on quality, and avoid pressure to sell or gain views.

1:00:00 - Concludes with mutual appreciation and a potential future podcast episode with @_0_0_0_9_ 👀

was an incredible time spent chatting w this legend 🔥

enjoy homies!

In It 5 The Art #12 – feat. @photonisdead

2:40 The Motivation Behind the Podcast
SM shares that he enjoys hosting and interviewing and decided to create the podcast to highlight artists and their processes.

6:16 The Importance of Focusing on Art
Pho and SM discuss memecoins and art. Pho emphasizes the importance of consistency and continuing to create art daily, regardless of external trends.

10:27 Flow State in Art
Pho explains how he enters a flow state while creating art, describing it as a form of meditation where he becomes fully present in the moment.

17:00 The Role of Vulnerability in Art
Pho talks about the importance of being vulnerable in one's work, as it allows for genuine expression and connection with the audience.

19:00 Consistency and Storytelling
Pho highlights the role of consistency in his success, mentioning that continuously posting and working on his craft has led to opportunities.

22:15 Pho's Journey from Music to Digital Art
Pho shares his journey, starting with music in his early teens and transitioning to digital art around 2019. He explains how he discovered NFTs in 2021 and started minting his work, building a following on Twitter.

30:38 Thoughts on Editions and NFT Minting Strategies
SM and Pho discuss their approaches to minting NFTs, with Pho being very selective about what he mints. They talk about the benefits and challenges of editions versus one-of-ones and the importance of intention in the work.

37:00 The Current NFT Market and Free Mints
They touch on the current trends in the NFT market, including free mints and platforms like Zora and Rodeo. Pho shares his views on how these trends might affect the perceived value of art and the importance of intention in navigating the market.

45:00 The Challenges of Being an Artist
Pho talks about the mental and emotional challenges artists face, especially when sales and engagement are low.

52:09 Getting into a Flow State
Pho and SM discuss how they get into a flow state when creating art. Pho shares that while it takes time, he's become better at it with practice, finding comfort and focus in his creative routine.

57:00 Daily Routines and Current Projects
Pho shares his daily routine, which includes fitness and spending time with his puppy, before he gets into creating art later in the day.

1:04:27 Final Thoughts and Closing
SM expresses his admiration for Pho's mindset and approach to art, highlighting how inspiring the conversation has been. Pho reciprocates the sentiment, appreciating SM's energy and the opportunity to share his story.

In It 5 The Art #11 - feat. ZAGABOND @ZAGABOND ⛩️

1:12 Origins of Zagabond:

Zagabond talks about his entry into the crypto world, starting with Ethereum in 2017 and his fascination with decentralized applications.

2:56 Project 0x:

Discussion about Zagabond's involvement in Project 0x, a decentralized exchange protocol, and the challenges of centralized exchanges.

4:45 Crypto Experience:

The conversation shifts to the volatility and excitement of early crypto investments, particularly in Ethereum.

6:19 Introduction to NFTs:

Zagabond shares his first encounter with NFTs in 2017, including his skepticism and later involvement with CryptoKitties and Gods Unchained.

8:42 Early NFT Thesis:

The discussion includes the early thesis around NFTs, predicting their massive future impact on the digital and art markets.

10:56 NFT Projects:

Zagabond talks about his early NFT projects, including his inspiration from NBA Top Shot.

13:11 Community Building:

Emphasis on the importance of community in the NFT space, including the challenges and strategies in building a strong community.

14:45 Launch of Phunks:

Zagabond discusses the inspiration and challenges behind the launch of Phunks, a project where he flipped CryptoPunks on the y-axis and created a new narrative around them.

16:19 Minting Out Phunks:

The process and emotions behind the minting and eventual sell-out of Phunks, highlighting the grind and the learning experience.

18:01 Building a Startup:

Insights into the grind and hustle required in the early stages of startup building, especially in the NFT space.

20:02 Creating a Decentralized Community:

Zagabond shares his experiences in creating a decentralized community and the lessons learned from his early projects.

23:06 Vision for Azuki:

The conversation moves to the vision behind Azuki, including the importance of bridging Eastern and Western cultures.

25:13 Art and Collaboration:

Discussion on the artistic direction of Azuki, including the collaboration with legendary artist Steamboy.

28:00 Creating a New Brand:

Zagabond talks about the strategy and vision for building a decentralized brand through NFTs.

31:00 FUD and Challenges:

The conversation touches on challenges and FUD faced by Zagabond in regards to Phunks and other projects he built prior.

34:00 Resilience and Adaptability:

Insights into the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges in the NFT space.

37:00 Handling FUD:

Zagabond shares how he handled the FUD regarding Azuki and Elementals, focusing on mental fortitude and the support of the community.

39:00 Importance of a Strong Vision:

The conversation concludes with reflections on the lessons learned from the challenges faced, including the importance of a strong community and vision.

41:00 Building a Sustainable Brand & Long Term Vision:

Extensive discussion on the long-term vision for Azuki, including the creation of a full-stack anime strategy and the importance of building a strong, decentralized community.

In It 5 The Art #10 – feat. @osf_rekt co-founder of @rektbrands

1:20 Discussion on Rekt Brands begins

3:21 The motivation behind Rekt Brands and how the idea of creating a non-alcoholic & community-driven drink came about.

5:00 OSF explains the origins of Rekt Guy as an NFT project, initially a passion project that turned into something much larger.

6:07 The importance of including original NFT holders in the success of Rekt Brands by giving them equity in the company.

8:29 OSF discusses his experience with trading Bored Apes, including selling them at a significant profit and how that decision was made.

12:27 OSF reflects on his approach to the markets, emphasizing the importance of removing emotions from trading decisions.

15:54 OSF talks about the creation process of Rekt Guy, the inspiration behind it, and its connection to his feelings about his former corporate job.

20:43 The conversation shifts to OSF's strategy during the bear market, focusing on dollar-cost averaging (DCA) into positions and holding for the long term.


23:22 OSF shares insights into his current trading behavior, emphasizing patience and the benefits of holding strong assets over trading frequently.


25:03 A discussion about OSF's investments in meme coins like $WIF and how his initial small investment grew significantly due to strong market performance.

34:36 The discussion shifts to another investment in $MOG, detailing how he recognized the potential in the community and the cultural significance of the meme.

39:00 Reflections on balancing risk-taking in the market with personal responsibilities, especially after having a child.

46:39 Discussion on the vision for Rekt Brands, including plans for future releases and events, and how they intend to grow the brand while keeping the community involved.

47:01 OSF hints at upcoming developments for Rekt Brands, mentioning that more details will be revealed soon and encouraging listeners to stay tuned.

51:20 OSF shares details about his personal life, including hobbies like skateboarding, boxing, and other sports.

54:26 A typical day in OSF's life, where he describes his daily routine, including his preference for waking up early, working out, and managing his time between work and family life.

56:00 OSF reflects on the parallels between trading, sports, and other activities in his life, discussing how discipline and focus in one area can translate to success in another.

59:00 The pod wraps up by emphasizing the importance of balance, community, and passion in both personal and professional pursuits.

LFG

In It 5 The Art #9 – feat. @bernardo_cafe co-founder of @shillrxyz

0:00 Introduction and Background
- Bernardo shares his journey into crypto, starting in 2017, and the challenges of early adoption.

4:00 Early Crypto Experiences
- Discusses the speculative nature of early ICOs and the evolution to today’s trends in meme coins and NFTs.

9:00 NFT Market Dynamics
- Explores the potential for another NFT boom driven by strong narratives and community.

14:00 Community and Storytelling in NFTs
- Talks about NFTs as vehicles for storytelling, referencing projects like Goblintown and WAGDIE

20:00 Role of L2s and Future Trends
- Discusses the impact of Layer 2 solutions on future NFT adoption, highlighting innovative projects like Shape and Abstract.

25:00 Personal NFT Journey and SHILLR’s Origins
- Bernardo shares his journey in NFTs and the formation of SHILLR to spotlight quality projects.

34:00 Building in the NFT Space
- Talks about SHILLR’s mission to support long-term projects and the importance of adaptability.

39:00 Generative Art and the Future of NFTs
- Delves into the complexities and potential of generative art and blockchain technology.

49:00 On-Chain Art and Community Building
- Discusses the nuances of on-chain art and the importance of pushing creative boundaries.

1:04:00 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
- Reflects on the future of the NFT space, emphasizing community, storytelling, and innovation.