“Life and Death” — A $1,000,000 Masterpiece
I woke up to the news that Deekay Kwon and Cozomo de’ Medici had made history, again.
History yes, surprise? No.
Because Deekay is a once in a generation artist, creating during what will be looked back on, in my opinion, as a modern day renaissance period.
A time in the world of digital art, where barriers are pushed, artistic mediums evolve and new frontiers formed. There are no hard or fast rules, just creatives plying their trade and expressing what they visualise in their minds but in ways our mortal eyes can comprehend.
Rolling back 500 years to 1512. Those who were fortunate enough to successfully make their pilgrimage to the Sistine Chapel would gaze up and be amazed — murals so intricate it would take hours to fully explore, months to document and years to understand. Yes, the art added huge visual benefits, but it was really there to tell a story — in this case, a religious one. Because, when you boil it down, isn’t that what art is all about, storytelling? A narrative?
Now, the world has evolved. We travel at ease. We consume copious amounts of content on our screens. At the touch of a button, we are inside that same Sistine Chapel, just this time it’s with the help of Google 3D imaging. We don’t earn our moment with the art anymore because accessibility is no longer an issue.
So when 1/1 is put in front of us, shared via a post on twitter, or sent from a friend into our DMs. We will look, enjoy and maybe even re share. But that might be the end of our emotive connection to the piece. It’s just some animation right?
No.
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli. Three masters; who shared our planet at the same time. The renaissance period key players who now dominate the artistic timeline as we are taught to understand it. Well; the world evolves, as do the artists who become sewn into the tapestry. Into the history books.
That, I feel, is where are now at.
A defining moment in the history books where true artists are brave enough to plant their flag in the ground. Choosing not to conform with what is expected of them and committing to building their portfolio of work within the world of digital art.
DeeKay, Sam Spratt, Fewocious, XCOPY — names you’d know well if you’d had spent time in the space. Not, if you’d chosen to ignore it. And Ignore at your peril, because these are fast becoming the key names involved in redefining what it means to earn a living as an artist.
Guess what? One collection has curated a piece (or more) from each of these esteemed artists.
A collector of the highest caliber, understanding that he, right now, has a direct line to a group of geniuses. However, unlike the 16th century where written letters where commonplace, we now rely o Twitter DMs and Foundation or Super Rare.
Some might consider the closing bid as lunacy, some, like me, might consider it an astute investment. Some, might not consider it at all, choosing to sit back and enjoy the artists creation for its inherent beauty and not the price tag it commands.
But why was it not a surprise to me to see DeeKay’s work sell for over $1,000,000? Don’t get me wrong, it’s an incredible sum of money. However, you’ve got to put it into context. This is one of the best living animators on the planet, producing work that is the result of decades of refining his skills. A buy in price for an original Lowry, Hirst or Banksy will set you back vast sums of money — so why should “Life and Death” be any different?
This is my opinion on the matter. However, that it’s of course, the best thing about art, its ability to divide opinion.
So, congratulations to DeeKay and the new owner of “Life and Death”, Cozomo de’ Medici.
But also, thank you.
For you are paving the way for those future artists who will see this as the inspiration they needed to just get up this morning and continue pursuing their passion.
Today’s landmark sale is a reflection that to own DeeKay’s work is a gift; but to own his best work? An honour.
Jojo
Acknowledgements
This was an off-the-cuff opinion piece, written mostly, on my phone. I felt a connection to the journey of “Life and Death” following my previous article.
This, feels like a nice place for me to leave the story, for now.
