We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Miriam Kuhlmann. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Miriam below.

Hi Miriam, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My earliest memories take me back to the tender days of my childhood. I was a shy and introverted soul, sheltered and cautious in my own cocoon. However, there was a spark within me that ignited when I found the means to express myself—through drawing, crafting, writing, performing, or styling. Hours would slip away effortlessly, and my parents would struggle to tear me away from that captivating train of focus. The thrill of performing, of stepping into different roles, also held a special place in my heart.

Yet, it wasn’t always easy to discern my path. The city I grew up in and the schools I attended were not particularly nurturing of dreams. But there were a handful wonderful teachers, and it was in a history class, where I penned and performed my very first piece, that I’d written as part of a school project and I realized the true essence of its significance. It felt like discovering a vein of emotional gold within myself. In those moments, I felt an exhilarating surge of creativity, and I understood that the only obstacle standing in my way would be my own self-doubt and perfectionism. I had to find the courage to combine my talents, to forge my own path.

The voices in my head whispered of usefulness and solidity, urging me to choose a practical pursuit. And so, I found solace in the realms of design and architecture. They became my tools to visualize, concretize, and structure the ethereal fantasies that danced within my imagination. Through these mediums, I sought to enable others to partake in the stories I longed to tell. Since in LA, I’ve finally focused more on filmmaking and art.

However, the road to where I stand now has been far from smooth. It has been a rocky and winding journey, fraught with challenges and self-discovery. I am sure there are more efficient paths one could have taken, but I find myself filled with gratitude for the multitude of creative outlets that grace my life. Acting, directing, design, the realms of AI and VR, the magic of film, the immersive experiences both digital and physical.

Miriam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in Germany, in what I would say was a very sheltered environment. German society overall is rather risk-averse and safety-first. Engineering technology and the automotive industry are dominating, which still results in a very male-oriented, structured, and rule-based lifestyle. In retrospect, I guess I was unconsciously trying to break outside that box by being constantly drawn to the arts and trying to find what my palette was. I started out interning with a goldsmith, then worked in a metal workshop, and also with a stone mason in Portugal for a couple of months. He created these organic, seemingly flowing, and light sculptures out of huge, heavy blocks of marble and I just had to go and meet him. I remember arriving late at night by taxi at a gas station after my flight, and he was this huge guy, built like a tank, one eye blindfolded, and with a stubble, but he actually turned out to be one of the kindest people you could imagine. Together we went to a quarry in the midst of Portugal and chose some good pieces for the next sculptures. He showed me how he designed his sculptures in software, starting out with 3D-printed models. I learned how to use a handhold buzz-saw to cut out the real sculptures from the stone. At the end of my 3 months stay, we celebrated our adventure together with a wonderful exhibition in a gallery in Monchique with his live band, beautiful art by one of his artist friends, and the sculptures sitting in the center of the room. Coming back, I was definitely struggling to match my fantastical, complicated, and gravity-defying ideas with work reality after joining an Interior Design school, where I did my BA, and I continuously kept looking for a space to call home. After a couple of years working on and off in architecture and design studios, I found a wonderful art school in Frankfurt called Staedelschule, where a small, magical architectural program existed and I found mentors, who taught me, which personal and software tools I should pursue to fulfill my fantasies. I found that there are really no limitations to what is possible in a purely digital realm, the only limitations really are to what people are able and willing to perceive. Ignoring even that limitation, my travels to India, Japan and Kenya inspired me to broaden my own horizon and grow as a person. Somehow, I landed in Los Angeles mid-2019 based on a scholarship for SciArc’s Fiction and Entertainment program with Liam Young. Then the pandemic hit, and I started my first film project Mercury XX which took almost 2 years to complete due to post-production. Here in LA, I have been working on film and art projects as a creative director or designer, while most of the narratives I feel drawn to revolve around new technologies combined with empowering messages.

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

Oh, where do I even begin? The possibilities with NFTs are truly mind-boggling. I’ve encountered different tiers of understanding when it comes to NFTs. The first tier comprises those who simply don’t grasp what they are all about. Then we have the second tier, who perceive NFTs as mere status symbols in the form of images/art. Surprisingly enough, this perception has catapulted them into the limelight and sparked an entire industry.

As a digital artist and filmmaker, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I realized that NFTs offered me the opportunity to create my online gallery, showcase my art, and securely sell it. But let’s not stop there. The third tier involves adding functionality to NFTs. These utility tokens can do so much more—granting exclusive access to content, providing membership benefits, enabling voting rights in decentralized governance systems, representing unique in-game items or characters, or even acting as keys to unlock additional features in virtual worlds or metaverses.

In theory, nearly everything could be implemented through NFTs in the next decade. Picture this: your movie ticket? NFT and collectibles. The movie itself? Chopped into NFTs and sold afterwards. Need to buy groceries? NFTs could be everywhere, not just for a select few. People are already starting to grasp this concept, and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes unthinkable that we hadn’t utilized them earlier.

However, there is an elephant in the room—the environmental impact. It’s crucial that we address this challenge sooner rather than later. The decentralized nature of this technology offers incredible security and could soon become so simple and accessible that everyone will have to hop on the bandwagon. I think it’s important that people work on solving the environmental concerns, because the potential of NFTs is too great to ignore.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Ah, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative… It’s a feeling that goes straight to the depths of my soul. You see, when I’m not creating, part of me does not feel alive. It’s as if a vital part of me remains dormant, yearning for expression. It’s an addiction, an insatiable craving to bring my ideas to life.

There’s something cathartic about the process, a release that occurs when even a fraction of the thoughts swirling in my mind find their way into a tangible project. It’s like unraveling a tightly wound ball of emotions, allowing them to flow freely and take shape. The pain, the struggles, the triumphs—they all find their purpose when they’re woven into my art.

But it’s mostly not just about my own catharsis, that does not keep you going. It’s about connecting with people, touching their hearts, and inspiring them. Art has this incredible ability to transcend barriers and ignite a spark within others. When someone looks at my work and finds solace, inspiration, or a renewed sense of wonder, that’s when I feel a profound sense of fulfillment.

To know that my creations have the power to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, unravel and forge connections is a gift beyond measure. It’s a privilege to be able to share a piece of myself with the world and witness the ripple effect it has on others. It’s a reminder that we’re all connected, bound together by the threads of creativity and shared experiences.

So, yes, being an artist is not just a profession or a hobby. It’s an intrinsic part of who I am, a lifeline that breathes meaning and purpose into every moment. It’s the language I speak when words fail me (which happens a lot), the sanctuary where my thoughts find solace, and the bridge that unites me with the beautiful souls that inhabit this world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mimaverse.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miriam__kuhlmann/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriam-kuhlmann-77aa66151/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2uyBRrX2vKz_cuPmclA-A