Generally, I’m known to play most of my work close to the chest. But with the passing of Virgil I took time to reflect, as certain deaths push us to do, about why we publish work in the first place.
What it opens up in ourselves, in others. How generative it is to place work in the public, how it creates the reference chain for the changes we desire. Why writing wasn’t always enough, and the frustration it created.
I wanted to push myself in using a medium I’ve never touched before (GAN image creation), while focusing the input methodology within something I feel very confident in (references & spirituality).
I can’t find the quote right now, but Virgil talked in an interview about the ability for creators to bring forward “both the essay and the object”. That’s the vibe, and this is the first solo collection of work to kick it off.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
— Ephesians 6:11-18 (NIV)
I find it interesting how in a previously hyper secular expression of technology, web3 has reignited a very open sense of (generalized) spirituality.
The nature of congregation (DAOs), identity talismans (NFTs), openness of interactions (Blockchains).
For this collection I wanted to approach it both literally and with clear reference to childhood Sunday School. While embracing the emergent visual language that I’ve been digging in a lot of other works (textures of the time).
Please, take these objects with you.
Art is made in hindsight.
— Virgil Abloh
I don’t do edits really, so excuse typos and things that don’t make sense.
Thanks so much for giving me your attention. I hope it was worth it, if not… unsubscribing will not hurt my feelings, and will give you back time you literally cannot have back.
Much love.
Live in the light