Pulling Slices From Time With Dave Krugman
Renowned for his distinctive neo-noir style, a fusion of early 1900s detective noir with the aesthetics of science fiction, Dave Krugman is not merely a photographer; he is a storyteller, weaving tales within each digital frame.
For Dave, photography is a medium that allows him to "pull slices from time" In his words, the world is a beautiful, serendipitous unfolding, akin to a giant generative art sculpture.
Photographers, according to Dave, play a unique role in freezing these moments, unlike other crafts that involve a more extended creative process. His neo-noir style, inspired by science fiction, creates a compelling narrative that blends detective noir with the futuristic vibes of The Matrix and Blade Runner. Krugman is recognized for his unique approach to photography, often blending traditional techniques with modern technology to create visually stunning and thought-provoking images. His portfolio includes a diverse range of subjects, from cityscapes to portraits, each capturing a distinct mood and atmosphere. Krugman is also known for his use of social media platforms to showcase his work, engaging with a global audience and contributing to the evolving landscape of contemporary photography.
In one of his most recognized series, 'Drip Drop' stands as a harmonious assembly of 1111 1/1 photography NFTs. Paying homage to generative art principles popularized by projects like Art Blocks, Krugman drew inspiration from acclaimed works such as Chromie Squiggles, Fidenzas, and Ringers. This project unfolds as a profound exploration into the generative beauty inherent in the universe, offering a visual journey through raindrops meeting puddles in the iconic backdrop of Times Square. The vibrant color spectrums, emanating from luminous billboards, cascade over textured water, accentuating the mesmerizing confluence of nature and civilization. As of November 2023, Drip Drop has exceeded over 425 ETH in total volume on Open Sea.
DRIP DROP #671
While acknowledging the potential of blockchain platforms for selling and showcasing artwork, Krugman emphasizes the heightened responsibility artists bear in securing their digital assets. He believes there is an anxiety associated with the security of private keys and the unique challenges artists face in this space. Krugman vividly conveys this challenge, stating, "When you take on the responsibility of self-sovereignty in blockchain layers, you take on all the security responsibility as well." Krugman's perspective on artificial intelligence adds another layer to the conversation. While recognizing the imminent influx of digital content, he lauds blockchain's role in preserving an artist's unique fingerprint through cryptographic signatures, offering a safeguard against a potential sea of indistinguishable creations.
“I love artificial intelligence. I think the problem with AI, especially when it comes to visual art, is that we're going to be absolutely flooded with basically what I would call digital detritus, like just fucking trash, like literally like candy wrappers on the seashore kind of vibes. I can make a passable Dave Krugman image in mid journey with one prompt, it's very easy.. So what separates that work from my work? A cryptographic signature that only I can sign and that means that people know that they're collecting my real art. It makes the emphasis on art collecting much more about relationships than it is about just pure aesthetic and that to me is an extremely powerful unlock.”
Citing outstanding anomalies like Botto, Dave acknowledges that there are very few computer generated artworks that collectors truly want to buy and that the human element is truly the most in demand. While Krugman believes AI offers beneficial assistance such as automating tasks and creative thinking, there is no doubt that the technology will have both positive and negative ramifications.
As Krugman delves into the Web3 community, he sees it as an extension of the decentralization of media and publishing that began with Web2. Drawing parallels, he explains how early visual social apps democratized content creation, allowing artists to sidestep traditional gatekeepers. However, Web2 had its limitations as artists were essentially renting their identity from corporate entities. Krugman sees Web3 as the natural evolution, providing artists with a sovereign identity owned by them, devoid of the risks associated with centralized platforms.
“Narrative and storytelling is the glue that holds us all together. I mean, this goes all the way back to our earliest environment of evolution where I can easily picture the first campfire stories and our history begins with oral history. All these stories of floods and cataclysms that have been more codified in religious texts. Our ability to tell stories precedes the written word by tens of thousands of years. It's just so deeply human to tell stories, and to receive stories, to engage in stories, that it's very obvious to me that if I want to be an artist that is interconnected with a global human community, that storytelling has to be the core tenant.”
The distinction between Web2 and Web3 lies in their fundamental architectures and the philosophical underpinnings that govern their operation. Web2, characterized by platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, is a centralized model where user data and interactions are primarily controlled and stored by a few powerful entities. These platforms thrive on advertising revenue and often implement algorithms that dictate user experiences, leading to issues of privacy concerns, data exploitation, and limited user autonomy. In contrast, Web3 represents a shift towards decentralization, championing principles of transparency, user ownership, and interoperability.
“Web3 democratized the creation and distribution of visual content. That allowed a lot of us in my generation of social media to kind of sidestep the gatekeepers. And instead of reaching out to magazines to publish our work, we became the magazines. And that, to me, was just an absolute revolution.”
ALL SHIPS is a creative endeavor born out of a profound realization and a response to the detrimental impact of algorithmic systems governing social media. Having experienced the corrosive effects of chasing likes and conforming to the demands of advertising algorithms, Dave sought to establish a sanctuary away from such toxic mentalities. In contrast to the ephemeral nature of daily content cycles, "ALL SHIPS" emerged as an oasis.
“I was making a living on social media for many years and I started to run into a problem and a problem that I saw reflected amongst many of my peers. And what that problem was, was that we were subject to these algorithmic systems that were not optimizing for anything but advertising dollars. People are always saying that they figured out or hacked the algorithm. If you really break that down, what they’re saying is, they’re changing their behavior according to what an advertising algorithm demands of them. And if you do that every day for ten years, you're gonna be unrecognizable when you look in the mirror.”
Initially conceived as a space for longer stories, dinners, and a more lasting community, ALL SHIPS transitioned online at allships.co during the challenges posed by COVID-19. The introduction of blockchain and NFTs marked a transformative moment, allowing the issuance of permanent tokens to individuals interested in the artist's work, building community capital around digital objects rather than traditional social media accounts. This shift provided a sustainable model, extending the artist's plans beyond the constraints of the 24-hour content cycle. Today, ALL SHIPS has evolved into a multifaceted entity, encompassing a dining club, parties, gallery events, an online magazine, and a clothing line—a vibrant and enduring vibe congruent with its commitment to fostering a thriving artistic community.
Dave stresses the significance of building and maintaining relationships for aspiring photographers and artists. In a landscape where success hinges on more than just artistic prowess, he encourages artists to become adept "social sculptors." The ability to gather a tribe and incentivize them to amplify one's message is crucial. He provides valuable advice, stating, "Success in any field is about relationships."
He further underscores the interconnected nature of art in online spaces, stating, "You can't just put out art and expect that the universe is going to reward you. You need to put supportive energy into the universe and help other artists around you so that you have an amplification network that you can tap into in your moment of need.” This avid piece of advice has come from many established creators who have navigated the field, further proving this career step is a crucial catalyst for significant growth.
Looking ahead, Krugman reveals his excitement for projects that gamify the art-collecting experience. He shared insights into his "Drive" project, a gamified car collection described as “like Hot Wheels cars from the side", and expresses a broader interest in exploring themes related to the underlying code of the universe. His contributions to the Web3 community, advocacy for sovereign identity, and pioneering approaches to art gamification underscore his position as a leader in the digital art landscape. As he continues to explore the depths of narrative craftsmanship and the integration of blockchain, Krugman's work promises to shape the future contours of photography.
