Curated Series: InFlux by Apocalypse

Apocalypse is a visionary artist with a remarkable three-decade journey in art. His foray into cryptoart in 2021 catapulted his creations into the hands of esteemed collectors and artists. The core of Apocalypse's work delves into the literal meaning of the word "apocalypse" as "revelation." Through his art, he explores the profound meanings behind human suffering, emphasizing our potential to learn from our hardships and learn, in time, to more wisely shape civilization. In his latest project, InFlux, Apocalypse unfolds a monumental narrative of interconnected artworks, inviting audiences to embark on a transformative journey. This article provides a glimpse into the world of InFlux and the artistic philosophy behind its gradual and continuous release.

When I first saw InFlux, I was already intrigued by the first six pieces minted on SuperRare. They are like PFPs, portraits of different characters, but they are way better in the sense that each has its total uniqueness, standing on its own with its own story and soul, while at the same time relating to the entire story in an intricate way that is yet to be revealed. It requires your full attention to get to know them individually as if you were to know a real person. What's their story? What's their purpose? What made them who they are? What's their relation to the other ones in the universe? Then you identify with one deeply that feels closest to your soul... Later I learned about the scale of the series, the number of pieces (333), created physically and then digitized one by one masterfully, the plan to gradually roll it out as a performance, and to build long-term relationships between the art and the collectors in an authentic, intimate way. I was truly impressed by the time and thought that went into InFlux and the courage to do it differently to stay true to the artist. So, I think it deserves our highlight amid all the noise. By writing this, I know I have somehow become a part of the story too. Art possesses a mystical force that draws you in and propels you into action. I learned it's part of the plan, and it has definitely worked on me. Apocalypse sees the dynamics between idea and execution, art and its audience. So, instead of being passive, he fully lets the dynamics play out to become an essential element of the series. I cannot wait to see how the whole project develops in the coming year.

- By SuperRare Labs Senior Curator An (@anloremi)

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Apocalypse is an artist with a 30-year history in the field, who began sharing and selling artwork when he entered the cryptoart space in 2021. Since then, Apocalypse's work has made its way into the collections of notable collectors and artists, including VVD, 6529, XCOPY, Sartoshi, Art Pleb, Mr703, Cozomo, mmittens, Jake, ROBNESS, EternalPepe, and other well-known figures in the cryptoart world.

One of the best places to gain an understanding of Apocalypse's artistic endeavors can be found in The Hall of Meetings. The Meetings comprise 49 1/1 pieces, each representing a spiritual drama or journey. They have fetched prices ranging from 0.33 ETH to 14.65 ETH. Among these works, some are tied to physical paintings, while others exist solely as digital creations.

While people tend to associate the term 'apocalypse' with visions of Armageddon and dystopia, painting a grim picture of the future marked by extreme suffering, for the artist, 'apocalypse' means 'to reveal.' Apocalypse explores the deeper meaning behind hardship - what it reveals, whether our suffering is purposeful, and how our capacity to learn from it shapes the future of humanity and the planet on a grand scale. From Apocalypse's perspective, the most intriguing aspect of humanity is its ability to think. Often taken for granted, all of civilization is built upon the foundation of human thought. In his view, this places humanity firmly in the driver's seat, with the power to shape the fate of the remarkable cosmic jewel we call Earth.

The theme of responsibility, and how humanity chooses to accept or reject it, is at the heart of InFlux, the latest and ongoing project from Apocalypse. Motifs of death, transformation, rebirth, and cosmology, well-recognized by collectors, will take on an entirely different manifestation within InFlux.

INFLUX

During the PFP hype of Summer 21’, Apocalypse's studio embarked on a PFP project. Over time, this initial endeavor morphed into InFlux, a project comprising 333 works, most of which are 1/1s. There are also a few editions, including a drop with ClickCreate in September 2023, known as "Carbon Cop," among others. It's important to note that most, if not all, of the final pieces will be animated and glitched.

Their work begins with physical paint on a wooden panel. They produce panels of all sizes, ranging from 3 x 5 inches to 4 x 8 feet and even larger. The works are subsequently digitized and broken down into their most fundamental building blocks, which are pixels. They employ code and various applications to arrange these pixels into well-defined arrays and layers, which can then be animated. The outcome consists of exceptionally distinctive and potent loops (GIFs) that have the ability to communicate an archetype within just a few frames.

InFlux extends beyond being merely a "collection of artworks." The individual pieces within InFlux exhibit interconnectedness that will gradually reveal itself over time. Within this project lies an intricate world, and the narrative unfolds across three distinct volumes, primarily conveyed through characters but also through short films, tweets, written pieces, appearances, and other mediums. Through InFlux, the audience is invited to perceive the world from a fresh perspective, offering an alternative lens on life. In this regard, InFlux shares similarities with iconic narratives like The Matrix, Star Wars, or The Lord of the Rings, aiming to lead its audience on a transformative journey, inspiring them to explore, pose new questions, and wonder.

Creating and releasing a collection of 333 pieces is a significant endeavor, which will be gradual and phased, allowing time for sharing stories, collaborating with platforms, engaging collectors, and cultivating momentum and interest over time.

INFLUX AS PERFORMANCE

The reason to opt for a gradual release, as opposed to unveiling all the work simultaneously, lies in the fact that InFlux is more than just a collection; it is also a performance.

For instance, the character SEEKER plays a significant role within the overarching narrative, while others assume minor roles and so forth. A substantial amount remains concealed, waiting to be unveiled and explored. A narrative of this nature demands the passage of time for its proper unfolding.

InFlux is meticulously planned across multiple stages, incorporating apt twists, turns, and unexpected moments. This performance is dynamic and continuous; it plays out in real time. There is a defined direction, but numerous elements are yet to surface and will become evident in due course. This approach is rooted in an artistic philosophy. In the act of creating art, the artist has a defined direction in mind, yet the final form of the work remains concealed. The artist establishes the stage, where surprises and discoveries materialize, and over time, the work of art takes shape and comes to life.

Another rationale behind the gradual release of InFlux is the desire to offer the audience an opportunity to relish each individual piece. InFlux has been a labor of over two years, encompassing various phases such as production, refinements, marketing, and the cultivation of relationships, which have all been instrumental in building momentum, expanding the audience, and generating interest. While a singular release might attract immediate hype and publicity, it often dwindles swiftly. In contrast, a gradual release strategy can nurture and sustain interest and momentum over an extended period, engaging an audience on strong, slowly built foundations.

ok frens this is insane but here goes

INFLUX

a proper introduction, with details

⚡️ a "long form cryptoart project"

⚡️ a "true story about the future"

⚡️ & first of its kind & scope I think

and yes, totally *insane* to do this
but here we GO

🔥🌹😍 pic.twitter.com/zEzWMiZPlf— apocalypse art (@apocalypticform) October 11, 2023