This week we spoke with the Arizona based NFT artist @Wondersz, best known to the Solana space as the creator of ‘I See Spirits’. Wondersz also created the first official ‘Toughies’ X ‘I See Spirits’ derivative which will soon be displayed in our online gallery.
Where did the name ‘Wondersz’ originate from?
I don’t know if I want to dox myself yet but I have a pretty unique last name that has the word ‘Wonder’ in it. But when I first started creating as an artist the name I went by was ‘****’ ******z’ (I was like 13 lol) and so when I changed it, adding a Z at the end just felt right.
‘Like not giving a fuck and letting your creativity run loose.’
@wondersz_world
Your OG fans will know you started out as a music artist in the electronic scene, what role does music play in your visual artistic process?
Since most of my visual work is animation I find there’s still a beat & rhythm to it. When I’m animating a piece I can sometimes hear the sound in my head and then I know I’ve made a good piece. But also on another level just the culture of the music scene, like not giving a fuck and letting your creativity run loose.
How does the first NFT you ever created connect with your project now? Do you remember the moment you finished your first spirit and thought, shit, this is it!
It’s funny because the method I make all the spirits in was pretty much the first technique I discovered when I switched to drawing digitally so I’ve been sitting on the style for months before I even decided to turn it into a project. When I first got into NFTs I wanted to do a test-mint just to see how the process went and the first spirit I ever drew was the first art I ever turned into an NFT.
‘I believe everything in the universe is conscious so spirits are … the soul of everything you could possibly imagine.’
@wondersz_world
How did you come up with the collection & what inspired it, is there an overarching story with your spirits?
I see the spirits as all pieces of our inner world personified. Like I believe everything in the universe is conscious so spirits are like the spark, the soul of everything you could possibly imagine.
When you are working on your ‘I See Spirits’ pieces or other visual work, what is your creative process like?
I feel it’s part — having a vision and idea for what I want to draw and, part — going with the flow and just seeing what comes out along the way. I’m really inspired by religious & occult imagery but I also adored cartoons growing up so I try to mix the mediums where I can.
I’ve not seen anyone do auctions the way you do. You auction 3 spirits a week; 2 go up for a set price & 1 for auction. What benefits have you seen from this, is this a method you will carry on with?
Well I’ve changed it now by auctioning every piece off, but I plan to eventually return to that format or at least a similar format as I really like the surprise element to it. It’s sort of like a regenerating floor and it lets people who otherwise wouldn’t have the time to win an auction have a chance at a spirit. Plus I feel it rewards the fans who are actively looking forward to the next spirit.
You mention ‘Monthly Shorts’ being something you want to airdrop holders, what kind of thing will these be?
This is something that’s still in the works but I envision it being like how some YouTube animations were back in the day. Kinda like ‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’, where there’s an overarching narrative being told through the shorts. All I’ll say for now is it’s about someone exploring the spirit realm.
What does the next phase of ‘I See Spirtis’ look like?
Yeah so the next phase of I see spirits is to make it an experience and not just a collection. The end goal is to “tour” the collection in an art gallery as part of a musical/visual performance and the live streams are how I want to start working towards that goal. The plan right now is to start live-streaming some DJ sets in the near future, to really connect it to real life and to just host a space where people can hang out and have a good time.
What is the bigger story for Wondersz as a music & visual artist?
To be the most creative person in the world haha, I’ve always known it was my purpose to be an artist and a storyteller, day-dreaming of stories that I knew I had to tell for as long as I’ve had memories. My dream is to eventually direct an animated movie/show.
You can find Wondersz over on Instagram @wondersz_world, Holaplex or Spotify if you a real one…
