Dalek

Original Audio

https://pods.media

Dalek

Collect this episode to support Behind The Sreen with Gramajo and secure your spot on the leaderboard!

7 Minute Summary

The interview begins with Dalek explaining the origin of his moniker. A fan of the British sci-fi series Doctor Who, Dalek adopted the name of the show's iconic villains. He explains, "The Daleks are kind of these trash can robots hell-bent on wiping out humanity." This choice reflects Dalek's longstanding interest in humanity's relationship with technology, a theme that has been central to his work throughout his career.

Dalek elaborates on this concept, stating, "As we get more technologically advanced, we become dumber as a species and you get reduced to button pushers." This idea of humans becoming increasingly reliant on technology without fully understanding it is a recurring theme in Dalek's art and philosophy.

Dalek provides a fascinating perspective on the rapid evolution of technology over the past few decades. He points out that what took 40 years of technological advancement in the past now takes just 10 or even 5 years. This accelerated pace of change has profound implications for society and individuals.

He reflects on the early days of cable television and personal computers, noting how dramatically things have changed in a relatively short time. "If you look at where things have gone in 40 years, man, that's pretty dramatic," Dalek observes. He goes on to discuss how this rapid advancement often outpaces people's ability to fully comprehend and adapt to new technologies.

While acknowledging the benefits of technological advancement, Dalek also highlights some of the negative consequences. He expresses concern about how technology is often used to manipulate people, especially when users don't fully understand the tools they're using. "Scammers and people who do know how to use it take advantage of people," he notes.

Dalek also touches on the issue of privacy in the digital age, suggesting that people often give up too much personal information without realizing the potential consequences. He likens this to becoming "reduced to pushing buttons sometimes, you know, just trained to get your online rewards."

The conversation shifts to the current state of Web3 and digital culture. Dalek provides a vivid analogy, comparing the behavior in Web3 to young children playing soccer: "That's web three in a fucking nutshell, man. It's just a bunch of people running around. Oh, shit, it's over here now. Oh, fuck, it's over here. Like, let me. Oh, I'm gonna go click."

This analogy encapsulates Dalek's view of the frenzied nature of the Web3 space, with people constantly chasing the next big thing without a clear strategy or understanding. He acknowledges that he's not exempt from this behavior, stating, "I'm not taking myself out of that equation. I do it, too."

Dalek offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by artists in the current digital landscape. He discusses the difficulty of balancing creative work with the demands of social media and online engagement. "You have to maintain it constantly or you, you start to vanish," he explains, highlighting the pressure artists feel to constantly be active online.

He also touches on the issue of algorithm-driven content distribution on platforms like Instagram, noting how it can make it harder for artists to reach their audience organically. "You might get 5%, maybe less. Like, people just can't see stuff because the algorithms have destroyed it," Dalek laments.

Throughout the interview, Dalek emphasizes the importance of authenticity and passion in artistic pursuits. He suggests that true artistry comes from a place of genuine interest and dedication, rather than just chasing trends or popularity.

When asked about advice for aspiring artists, Dalek stresses the importance of commitment and perseverance. "You just have to commit. I think that's the thing, man, is you have to go all in," he advises. He encourages artists to be open to evolution and not get stuck in one particular style or perspective.

One of the most interesting segments of the interview is Dalek's recounting of his time working with renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Dalek explains that he sought out this experience primarily to learn about studio practice and the technical aspects of creating art at a professional level.

He describes the process of working on Murakami's pieces as essentially "paint by numbers," with assistants filling in pre-determined color schemes based on Murakami's designs. While Dalek found value in learning about color theory and studio management, he ultimately prefers a more hands-on approach to his own work.

Dalek shares his thoughts on how technology has impacted the art world, particularly in the realm of Web3 and NFTs. He sees potential in these new technologies but also expresses caution about the current state of the market.

When discussing the idea of pairing physical artworks with NFTs, Dalek points out some of the logistical challenges, particularly around shipping. However, he sees potential for integration in the future, stating, "I think at a point in time where somebody like Shopify integrates that stuff, which I think will come right where you can purchase NFT and it's just part of a package."

An intriguing part of the conversation revolves around the concept of counterculture and how it has changed over time. Dalek, drawing from his experiences in skateboarding and graffiti culture, reflects on how the internet and social media have transformed the way subcultures form and spread.

He notes that in the past, being part of a counterculture required more effort and dedication. "You had to really hunt. Hunt for everything," Dalek explains, describing how finding music, art, or even skateboarding spots used to be a much more involved process. This difficulty, he suggests, led to a deeper appreciation and connection to the culture.

In contrast, Dalek sees the current digital landscape as overwhelming with information, making it harder to filter and find truly meaningful content. "Now there's too much noise, and so you have to filter through so much garbage to get to what you really want to get to," he observes.

Dalek shares his thoughts on the current state of social media platforms and suggests improvements for the future. He expresses frustration with current algorithms that don't always show users the content they're most interested in seeing.

He proposes features like customizable feeds and the ability to take breaks without penalties. "I'd like to see an app encourage people to take two days off and go touch grass, get outside offline, and we'll reward you," Dalek suggests, emphasizing the importance of balance in digital engagement.

Throughout the interview, Dalek reflects on his long career in art and the lessons he's learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning, noting how his approach to art has evolved over the years.

Dalek also touches on the business side of being an artist, discussing the challenges of marketing oneself and the importance of building relationships within the art community. He values the connections he's been able to make through platforms like Twitter and Farcaster, seeing them as valuable tools for engaging with fans and fellow artists.

An interesting tangent in the conversation focuses on photography in the current digital landscape. Dalek expresses admiration for talented photographers but laments that the ubiquity of smartphone cameras has led to a devaluation of professional photography in some circles.

He argues that there's a distinction between simply taking a photo and creating a truly great photograph, stating, "I don't think people really discern what makes a great photo versus just an average photo." This observation ties into broader themes of how digital technology has impacted various art forms.

Dalek offers valuable advice for those looking to pursue a career in art. He emphasizes the importance of persistence, stating, "You got to just filter out what has real staying power." He encourages artists to be open to evolution and not get stuck in one particular style or approach.

He also stresses the importance of putting oneself out there and being willing to engage with the public, sharing an anecdote about a talented artist who struggled due to social anxiety. "You got to put yourself out there, man," Dalek advises, highlighting the importance of self-promotion and networking in the art world.

As the interview winds down, Dalek's overarching message becomes clear: success as an artist in the digital age requires a delicate balance of embracing new technologies and platforms while staying true to one's artistic vision and passion.

He encourages artists to engage with new platforms and technologies, but also to maintain a critical perspective and not get caught up in every passing trend. "You just kind of find the things that make sense to the path you want to take and leave the others by the wayside and just keep moving along," Dalek advises.

Throughout the conversation, Dalek's passion for art and his thoughtful approach to navigating the changing landscape of technology and culture shine through. His insights offer valuable perspective not just for artists, but for anyone trying to maintain authenticity and purpose in an increasingly digital world.

As we look to the future, Dalek's words serve as both a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of unchecked technological advancement and an inspiring call to harness these new tools in service of genuine creativity and human connection. In a world of constant change and digital noise, Dalek's commitment to authenticity and continuous evolution stands as a powerful example for artists and creators of all kinds.