Ugo
“The horse who gallops on the Polo field while the jockey focuses on his objective, ready to reach it !” by digital artist Ugo Digi.
Last updated
“The horse who gallops on the Polo field while the jockey focuses on his objective, ready to reach it !” by digital artist Ugo Digi.
Last updated
5 min read
Ugo Digi is a new-generation artist based in France and active in the NFT space since May 2021, starting on the Tezos ecosystem. He explores the digital art in these experiments (pixel art, glitch art, VR, 3D, abandonware). His recent work is made with Grafx2, a software used for video game graphics since 1996.
What inspired the creation of your artwork, “POLO,” featured in the Digital Nostalgia auction?
Simultaneously, as you may have guessed, I was exploring the aesthetics of sports for the rich, such as golf, horseback riding, and polo. Consequently, I blended my artistic experiments with my current interests.
You experiment with various digital art forms like pixel art, glitch art, VR, 3D, and abandonware. What draws you to explore such a diverse range of mediums?
As a young artist, I explored physical mediums only in 2021. Driven by a deep passion for digital art, I immersed myself directly into the world of 3D, captivated by the possibilities of textures, lighting, and surrealistic realms. The journey continued into Virtual Reality, offering a complete 3D immersive experience. The social part is a big part. Engaging discussions with artist friends like Marcel Muntyanu and Kitvalo introduced me to older software, adding a nostalgic and innovative dimension to my creative process. I’m so curious and enthusiastic that I embrace aesthetic opportunities as they come. What is next in my artistic journey?
Your artwork “POLO” was featured at Beyond Basel Miami. What opportunities has this collaboration opened up for you as an artist?
I want to tell you, especially, that I have confirmation that people appreciate what I produce on my own in my room. It’s as if, little by little, I’m being validated by my peers. I’ll tell you, my close ones don’t really understand my artistic activity and don’t grasp the extent to which art can play a significant role in my future life. So, it reassures me, in a way.
Grafx2 Software: Your recent works are created using Grafx2, a software from 1996 used for video game graphics. What attracts you to this particular software, and how does it contribute to your artistic expression?
I was initially drawn to graphics similar to those used in works on Tezos. Then, as I mentioned earlier while discussing art and software with friends, they introduced me to the wonderful software Grafx2, which I both love and hate. This is because in 1996, the concept of ‘user-friendly’ was not common.
Your art has been showcased in several Metaverse exhibitions. How do you see the role of the Metaverse in shaping the future of art exhibitions?
Tezos or Ethereum, and why?
Tezos, a thousand times! It’s the blockchain for art. A responsive, present, and supportive community, negligible fees, and an extremely energy-efficient blockchain. A rich artistic culture is constantly evolving in Tezos since the creation of HEN, and I love being a part of it! Additionally, I appreciate the minimal fees because, with very little XTZ, you can sell your art, which makes a significant difference. It provides an ocean of artistic experimentation that you won’t find on ETH.
Your work was part of the National Museum of Finland Launch Party. How does it feel to have your art associated with a national cultural institution?
Feeling recognized for my work makes me very proud. Along my journey as an artist, it’s like little boosts of motivation, even though I’m fully boosted in it every day!
NFT Community: Many notable figures, including Artie Handz, Skomra, and John Hamon, collect your art. How does the support of the NFT community impact your artistic journey and experience?
I appreciate that my creations are finding a place in collections that will be reference collections in digital art in 10, 20, or 50 years. On top of all this, John Hamon supports me particularly, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for that. I fulfilled a wish through his curation, allowing me to exhibit my art at the NFT Factory in Paris. Another boost!
Future Directions: What can we expect next from you in terms of artistic exploration and upcoming projects?
I’ve noticed that talking about projects is the best way to never accomplish them. I see things on a grand scale, a very grand scale, for my future in art. That’s all I can tell you.
Ugo Digi's artwork is described as “The horse who gallops on the Polo field while the jockey focuses on his objective, ready to reach it !” Present at the auction, , and at event during the 2023 Art Miami week!
I wanted to focus on the pictorial composition of my works at that time. I became intrigued by the graphical representation of the golden ratio through . A spiral composition inspired me to build a movement from left to right (see image).
It’s wonderful because it’s becoming more and more common in our small world of digital art. Artists, collectors, and curators are already users. I want to add that it allows artists to exhibit super easily, enables collectors to visualize their collections, and allows projects like to exist. It’s a new way of exhibiting that aligns with a new way of collecting, and I am delighted about it.
