There are a million things I wanted to write about this past year but didn't. Thoughts on platforms, my art, $ENJOY, and so on. Many drafts. Many thoughts unsaid. Letting the backlog go feels like a solid plan for 2025.
To this point, I've mostly been publishing two projects on Zora: LOBOTOMY_V1, and Still Life. Zora's been screwing around with collections and removed the feature without an announcement. Supposedly, they're coming back, but the initial change forced me to pause those projects and reconsider what I'm working on.
I avoided Rodeo because I didn't want to publish to two single-feed platforms, but with Zora on pause, I figured I'd start something fresh on Rodeo. For now, it feels like a good venue to publish works in a series that I've been workshopping for several years.
The most recent iteration of the idea is called 'New Game,' the first version of which was published on Yoyo in 'New Game v1'. Since there are no collection contracts on Rodeo, this iteration doesn't technically have a name, but for all intents and purposes, it's 'New Game v2.'
The gist is surreal pixel works born from my photography. Video Games were a huge part of my life growing up and they were my portal into the internet via multiplayer and forums. I don't game these days, but they remain a source of endless inspiration for my art. I have always wanted to create a game; New Game lets me explore that space. My work focuses on environments, and this project is no different. With each piece, I attempt to craft a game world that feels nostalgic, uncanny, and meditative. Each title is a verb, intended to guide the experience.
Publishing these works almost daily has been an extremely satisfying practice. Focusing on a single project and departing from straight-up photography has felt freeing. Every piece feels like a creative step forward, and I'm producing some of my favorite work ever.
Idk how long I'll keep this series going on Rodeo; I really want to go back to working on contract-based collections, though there isn't a great tool for that at the moment. I hope what we're cooking at Enjoy becomes that tool.
Until then, keep up with the project on Rodeo, check out the view.art gallery (all the work is 4K for digital displays), and mint the latest, 'grow'!!!
Steen!!!
Finally started my blog!!! https://paragraph.xyz/@usersteen/on-rodeonew-game
You deserve every bit of success you get Steen. I admire your commitment to your craft, and more importantly, the stories you aim to tell. Congrats on the new blog and thanks for always being the guinea pig for new publishing platforms.
Damn, I really appreciate the kind words, and feel the same about you and your craft!