Goyong: Bridging Dimensions

AOTM: What was your first artistic memory? The first time you remember doing something creative and enjoying it.

Goyong: I majored in sculpture in college. The reason I was drawn to sculpture is that I could quickly express what I thought. I particularly preferred working with metal. I practically lived in the studio every day during college. To explain why, I need to share my high school experience. I attended an art high school where I consistently received low grades. Our school required us to take the same type of tests daily to prepare for university entrance. My low grades were partly due to my poor drawing skills, but more than that, I felt like a machine in a factory rather than enjoying myself for three years. As a result, I entered college later than my peers. Looking back, I realize I didn’t truly enjoy or prepare well during that period. However, my life changed completely once I entered college. At our university, we were given a single theme for assignments with no restrictions. From that point on, I practically lived at school to express my ideas. I learned a lot from seniors and professors, and it took time to master my own techniques. I’ll share a piece I created in college. This is a metal turtle I made as a student. It was the first piece I sold for money after an exhibition. Many people thought it would be difficult to make, but in the end, I was able to create it just as I envisioned.

AOTM: Can you describe the pivotal moment or experience that led you to pursue digital art as your medium of choice?

Goyong: I believe everything was just luck. After deciding to become a full-time artist, I was contemplating what kind of work to create when I discovered NFTs. I became confident in this culture and industry. Understanding this culture, I felt that using animation would be more effective than painting on canvas to express my ideas. To convey the unseen, I used animation and pixels. I continue to work hard to make my pieces appealing through drawing and atmosphere.

AOTM: Who were your early artistic influences, and how have they evolved as your career has progressed?

Goyong: I learned a lot from Andy Warhol. His “art factory” inspired me greatly and changed my perspective on art. While there’s no definitive answer in art, I adopted his philosophy as my own reason for creating art. Warhol reflected his thoughts on contemporary society in his works. He likened society, with its mass production enabled by factories and machines, to his studio, the “art factory,” and used the silkscreen technique to produce works quickly. I view the current era as one of dimensional conquest, and I focus on how to make unseen dimensions visible in my work. Initially, I thought only Warhol expressed his society, but over time, I realized that similar figures exist in every era. This realization drives me to continuously express my view of society through my art. I’m currently experimenting with various materials, not just animation, to convey the concept of dimensional conquest, learning through trial and error.

AOTM: Your work is described as a “mesmerizing symphony” of hidden dimensions and palpable realities. How do you conceptualize these dimensions, and what do they represent to you?

Goyong: When conceptualizing dimensions, I think about how to make them appear more effective. To use the effect of contrast, I create mostly calm atmosphere pieces. I also spend a lot of time considering the placement of the dimensions. I try various positions to ensure the pixelated dimensions look natural and appealing, ultimately choosing the most ideal location. For me, dimensions represent my identity and perspective on society within my work.

AOTM: The fusion of painting and animation is central to your style. How does this combination allow you to express ideas that neither medium could achieve alone?

Goyong: Through drawing, I can express all the details I want. I believe preliminary sketches are crucial, so I make many sketches before starting a piece. Ultimately, I love my drawing style. Rather than creating everything in animation, I aim to have detail and movement coexist in my work with minimal animation. Blending the visible and the invisible, as well as drawing and animation, has become the signature style of Goyong.

AOTM: Your art invites introspection. How do you balance creating deeply personal work with crafting experiences that resonate universally?

Goyong: When I create art, I prefer to depict nature and landscapes. I believe using familiar subjects helps people understand and accept the values behind my work. It’s similar to how Andy Warhol used famous figures like Marilyn Monroe in his pop art to easily connect with the public. Currently, we can’t say that the public is actively engaging with our scene. That’s why I’m steadily building up my body of work. I look forward to the day when blockchain and Web3 art are as widely accepted as traditional art is today.

AOTM: Your depiction of ‘Lava’ creates a striking contrast with the cool, textured landscape. Tell us more about the inspiration behind this piece.

Goyong: Until recently, I had been creating works with warm or calm atmospheres. This preference led me to consistently produce such pieces, though I had always wanted to explore different moods. While I desired to experiment and bring about change, it wasn’t easy to take the plunge. I think I imposed a limit on myself, believing I had to continue creating works in the style that the public was familiar with. However, participating in the AOTM residency significantly boosted my confidence, and their feedback was incredibly helpful.

My work “Lava” depicts the tragic scenario of a volcanic eruption destroying the surrounding environment, creating a dire situation for the mountain goats. Despite the somber theme, I found immense joy in creating it. Especially when depicting the eruption, I felt a subtle thrill every time I saw it, as if breaking through my own limitations and letting my creativity flow freely. Although I haven’t released any new works since “Lava,” I’m planning for my next piece to have a somewhat different atmosphere from my previous ones.

AOTM: Can you describe a moment when you felt truly connected to your art, and what impact did it have on your creative process?

Goyong: I spend most of my time in my studio, except for when I’m sleeping. I believe that dedicating all day to working and thinking about my art has helped me get to where I am today. However, this can sometimes be detrimental. Overthinking and over-preparing can delay starting new projects. To reduce the time spent overthinking my work, I have spent the last month focusing on my daily life, taking care of my health, and spending time with my family. Despite this, my mind was always occupied with thoughts about my work, and I eventually returned to my usual routine.

Looking ahead, I believe collaborating with AOTM on various projects will be very beneficial for me. Having good colleagues around is great support for someone who thinks as much as I do.

AOTM: Looking ahead, what mark do you hope to leave on the art world, and how do you envision your work influencing future generations of digital artists?

Goyong: The artist Goyong didn’t exist before the advent of Web3, which is why I use a pseudonym instead of my real name. Just as we use profile pictures (pfps) to represent another version of ourselves, Goyong is another version of me. I prefer the identity of Web3 Goyong and see it as the reason for this persona’s existence. I started in Web3 without any prior background, meeting invaluable people and maintaining those relationships, which has brought me to where I am today. These connections are incredibly precious to me, and I intend to uphold and contribute to this culture. My goal is to be remembered as a leading Web3 artist in the future. It’s going to be a long and challenging journey, but I will continue creating works that reflect my thoughts. I aspire to be remembered as a pioneering artist of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and I believe I will achieve this. Furthermore, if I succeed, I firmly believe that other artists will continue to create artworks that reflect their perspectives on society.