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In the ever-evolving world of digital art and NFTs, few stories are as captivating as that of Ivan Casis Jr. A multidisciplinary artist from Panama now residing in Argentina, Ivan's journey from architecture to becoming a full-time NFT artist is a testament to the power of creativity, adaptability, and seizing opportunities in the digital age.
Ivan Casis Jr. was born into a family where architecture was more than just a profession—it was a way of life. Following in his father's footsteps, Ivan pursued architecture, not just as a career choice, but as a means to channel his innate creativity. "I'm not just... I don't have like, just the same name like my dad. I do the same thing. My dad is an architect, too," Ivan shared, highlighting the strong influence his father had on his career path.
Growing up in Panama, Ivan was surrounded by architecture from a young age. His father even worked from home for a couple of years, immersing young Ivan in the world of architectural tools and language. This early exposure made architecture a logical choice for Ivan when it came time to choose a career path.
Ivan's career in architecture coincided with a significant shift in the industry—the transition from traditional drafting methods to digital tools. He recalls the resistance from some old-school teachers who were hesitant to embrace computer-aided design. "When I started college, we weren't even allowed to work with computers," Ivan reminisced. However, he quickly adapted to the changing landscape, taking an AutoCAD course on his first day of college.
This ability to adapt to new technologies would prove crucial in Ivan's later transition to digital art and NFTs. He brought the first computer to his father's studio around the year 2000, marking the beginning of a new era in their architectural practice.
Despite his success in architecture, Ivan had always harbored a passion for art. As a child, he won his first art competition at the age of seven and continued to excel in artistic endeavors throughout his school years. However, when it came time to choose a career, he opted for architecture, temporarily setting aside his artistic pursuits.
"When I decided to study architecture, I kind of blocked everything," Ivan admitted. He focused all his energy on becoming the best architect he could be, immersing himself in architectural magazines, books, and software. It wasn't until he moved to Argentina for a master's degree in advanced architectural design that his artistic flame was rekindled.
Ivan's move to Argentina in 2006 marked a turning point in his artistic journey. Exposure to different forms of art in museums and galleries ignited a desire to create once again. "When I started seeing those stuff, I was like, man, this is what I want to do," Ivan recalled. He began to see the potential of combining his architectural skills with his artistic vision.
The birth of his children further influenced Ivan's artistic process. The convenience of digital tools, particularly the iPad, allowed him to create art even in unconventional settings. "The iPad gave me the flexibility to work in a dark room with a two-year-old boy in my hand," Ivan shared, highlighting how technology enabled him to balance his artistic pursuits with family life.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a catalyst for Ivan's entry into the world of NFTs. With architecture projects on hold, he began exploring ways to sell his art online. Through a fortuitous connection with fellow Panamanian artist Ix Shells, Ivan was introduced to the concept of NFTs and received an invitation to join Foundation, a prominent NFT platform.
Ivan's first NFT, titled "Game On," was a piece he had created years earlier as an experiment in animation. At the time, he felt guilty for spending so much time on a piece he couldn't sell. Little did he know that this work would mark the beginning of his NFT adventure.
Ivan's entry into the NFT space coincided with a period of explosive growth in the market. His unique style, combining architectural precision with surrealist elements, quickly gained attention. "I think that in 2021, on the middle of 2021, I used to mint things in my works, and they were like, the same day they started having bits," Ivan recalled, describing the rapid success he experienced.
His work caught the eye of prominent collectors and fellow artists. OG and Cardinal, well-known figures in the NFT space, were among Ivan's first collectors on SuperRare. This early support from established names in the community helped propel Ivan's career in the NFT world.
Ivan describes his art as "technical surrealism," a term that aptly captures the unique blend of architectural precision and imaginative elements in his work. His pieces are characterized by isometric views, a technique he learned in architecture school that allows for accurate proportions in a 3D space.
"Most of my work on web three is all three drawings that in isometric view," Ivan explained. This distinctive style, combined with surrealist elements, creates visually striking pieces that challenge the viewer's perception of space and reality.
Ivan's creative process is labor-intensive, often involving frame-by-frame animation created entirely on an iPad using Procreate. This meticulous approach results in highly detailed, dynamic pieces that blur the line between architecture and art.
While Ivan's experience in the NFT space has been largely positive, he acknowledges the challenges that come with the rapidly evolving market. The initial ease of gaining visibility on platforms like Foundation has given way to a more competitive landscape. "It was better at the beginning of foundation. Because every time I sold a piece, I stayed, like, for a week on the main page," Ivan noted, highlighting how increased competition has made it more challenging for artists to gain exposure.
Despite these challenges, Ivan remains optimistic about the opportunities in the NFT space. He has successfully sold works on various platforms, including Foundation, SuperRare, and Nifty Gateway, and is exploring new avenues for creative expression, such as interactive NFTs and generative art projects.
Ivan's creative vision extends beyond his current body of work. He's excited about several upcoming projects, including:
An interactive NFT on Async: Ivan has been accepted to mint on this platform and is looking forward to creating a piece that allows for user interaction.
A generative art project on fx(hash): While he initially considered learning to code himself, Ivan is now looking to collaborate with a generative artist to bring this project to life.
Momo Blocks: A modular project featuring interchangeable animated elements that can be combined to create diverse artworks.
A PFP (Profile Picture) project based on the Momo Blocks concept, featuring animated heads with transforming elements.
Ivan is also open to more collaborations, recognizing the value of partnering with other artists to expand his creative horizons. "I think that I'm going to start collaborating more on that kind of stuff, like working with some sound designers and generative artists to create stuff and keep doing the things that I'm good at," he shared.
Ivan's journey from traditional architecture to digital art and NFTs exemplifies the evolving relationship between art and technology. His work leverages digital tools to create pieces that would be impossible or impractical to produce through traditional means. At the same time, his architectural background provides a solid foundation for his digital creations, allowing him to bring a unique perspective to the NFT space.
The artist's embrace of new technologies and platforms demonstrates the importance of adaptability in the modern art world. From AutoCAD in architecture school to Procreate on the iPad and now blockchain technology for NFTs, Ivan has consistently leveraged new tools to expand his creative capabilities.
Beyond his art, Ivan shared several personal insights and experiences that have shaped his journey:
His lifelong passion for basketball, particularly his loyalty to the New York Knicks, despite years of disappointment.
An unexpected stint as an NBA commentator on Panamanian television, which lasted for three years.
His appreciation for the quality of food in Argentina, particularly the ice cream, which he considers superior even to renowned Italian gelato.
The challenge of balancing his creative pursuits with family life, and how digital tools have enabled him to work more flexibly.
These personal anecdotes provide a glimpse into the multifaceted life of an artist navigating the intersection of traditional and digital art worlds.
Ivan Casis Jr.'s journey from architect to NFT artist is a compelling narrative of creative evolution in the digital age. His unique blend of architectural precision and surrealist imagination has carved out a distinctive niche in the competitive world of NFTs. As he continues to explore new creative avenues and collaborations, Ivan's work serves as a bridge between the physical and digital realms, challenging our perceptions of space, reality, and the nature of art itself.
In a rapidly changing digital landscape, Ivan's story reminds us of the importance of adaptability, the power of seizing new opportunities, and the enduring value of hard work and creativity. As the NFT space continues to evolve, artists like Ivan Casis Jr. are at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of what's possible and redefining the relationship between art, technology, and the human imagination.
Check out @0xgramajo's latest blog post about Ivan Casis Jr., a Panamanian architect turned NFT artist. Follow his journey from traditional architecture to digital art, and discover how creativity and adaptability have shaped his success. Read more about his unique style and future projects!