We were lucky to catch up with Dangiuz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dangiuz, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve been able to make a full-time living from my creative work, but it wasn’t like that from day one. I was just a kid when I realized everything digital felt like the natural future. The world was going digital in every way, from communication to photography, so why not art?

I believe two major turning points for me where 2017 and 2020. In 2017, I discovered 3D, and shortly after I started sharing my work on Instagram. It took a lot of effort, but I slowly found my niche, honed my skills, and landed my first freelance projects. Over time, that experience opened doors to collaborations with international studios and high-profile clients.

And in 2020 I was able to transition fully to an independent artist career through the Ethereum digital art market.

Since then, creating digital art has been my full-time focus. Every day I work to improve as an artist and communicate the meaning behind my work. I’m incredibly grateful to the collectors and fans who support me, both financially and through their encouragement. Looking back, I can see ways I might have sped up the process with the knowledge I have now, but every step, from those early experiments to where I am today, was important in shaping my path.

And honestly, nothing could have sped up the process. Every day, whether good or bad, shapes you into who you are today, both as a person and as an artist, and all of it is vital for creating authentic art. Nobody else can do what you do because nobody else has been through the exact same experiences you have.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Dangiuz. I’m an Italian Digital Artist. I was born in Turin, Italy, in 1995. My real name is Leopoldo D’Angelo, but almost nobody knows me by my real name.

My career started a long time ago. Almost 20 years, actually. I was just a kid pressing random keys on a computer, but I was in love with drawing programs like Microsoft Paint. As I grew up, that passion turned into a hobby, then into an education, and eventually into a job.

In 2017, I discovered 3D, and soon after, I opened my Instagram account where I started sharing my work. Through a lot of hard work, I found my niche, improved technically, and landed my first freelance jobs. From there, I grew further, working and collaborating with major international studios and world-class companies. Maserati, NVIDIA, and many others.

Finally, in 2020, building on the results I achieved in the commercial world of 3D and VFX, I had the chance to launch my solo artist career in full color, thanks to the digital art market on the Ethereum blockchain.

Since then, digital art has been my full-time job and sole focus. I strive every day to be a better artist, to communicate to the world what I mean with my art and why I do what I do. I consider myself grateful for the incredible number of collectors, fans, institutions and museums who support me and my career daily by connecting with my art and collecting it.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I hold a very great view on NFTs, because their technology have made my career possible. But I understand that generally, when someone mentions NFTs, people think of those monkey pictures that used to sell for millions of dollars, and thus NFTs are generally associated with that, along with scams of all sort. They carry a bad reputation because of mainstream media highlighting big sale prices, money laundering schemes and volatility, instead of focusing on what makes the technology interesting and valuable; like the digital art scene for example.

The digital art scene makes great use of the NFT tech, and it goes much deeper and than that. I believe digital art is a perfect application of this technology. It has what it takes to be the future of art. The technology is simple but incredibly effective: the provenance of something that gets “minted” on the blockchain, is unquestionable and can’t be faked, altered or deleted once is minted.

NFTs have enabled complete creative freedom amongst artist, and that is what I value the most about them. Artists can now be valued for their own vision and not just for their skillset. They can connect with collectors and supporters who can directly collect their art, with no middlemen, and have something that they can keep with them forever, until they want to trade it, or sell it. Artists no longer need clients or freelance work to make a living out of their art.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’d like to be remembered as someone who warned people about the effects of an overly technological society, not as someone who wanted to impress with aesthetics.

This sentiment encapsulates my artistic mission. While I appreciate the visual impact of my work, my primary goal is to provoke thought about the trajectory of our society. In my view, we are heading toward a future dominated by “algocracies,” systems where algorithms, not humans, make critical decisions. These algorithms, designed to optimize efficiency, often overlook the nuances of human experience, leading to a society where personal agency is compromised.

Through my art, I aim to highlight the potential dangers of such a future. By depicting dystopian scenarios where technology reigns supreme, I hope to spark conversations about the ethical implications of our increasing reliance on algorithms. It is not just about creating visually compelling pieces; it is about using art as a medium to question and challenge the direction in which we are heading.

In essence, my work serves as a cautionary tale, a reminder that while technology can enhance our lives, we must remain vigilant to ensure it does not erode our humanity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dangiuz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dangiuz
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/dangiuz

Image Credits

Dangiuz, Alice Ambrogio, Paolo Pettigiani