Dangiuz: Vision, Skill & Proving Yourself (Interview)
Who is Dangiuz?
Leopoldo D'Angelo, also known as "Dangiuz," is an Italian contemporary visual artist, digital artist, and art director specializing in sci-fi themes.
His work has been featured on platforms like RAI, Wallpaper, and NVIDIA Studio Standouts, and displayed in numerous museums and galleries worldwide. He contributed to the design of Rui Hachimura's Cherry Blossom kimono and Maserati's MC20 concept art.
"Grand Challenge", one of D’Angelo’s artworks, was one of the first digital artworks sold as an NFT by an Italian digital artist. In March 2021, D'Angelo gained prominence in the NFT space following Beeple's landmark sale at Christie’s, establishing himself as a leading figure in digital art.
Leopoldo D’angelo, Dangiuz
What is something you wish someone had told you before becoming an artist?
That art has nothing to do with what people think “art” is.
I grew up thinking the word “artist” was a compliment, almost as if someone else had to crown you with it, and you couldn’t refer to yourself as an artist or to your craft as “art” without someone else complimenting you for it.
This was the dumbest thing I believed to be true. I realized that everything can be art, anyone can be an artist, and that you don’t have to prove anything to anyone except yourself.
What does your creating process look like?
It's pretty straightforward but still creative.
I have an infinite list of references, sketches, and overall things I want to create, and most of the time I just sit down and try to come up with something.
Sometimes I end up changing the artwork midway, getting inspired in the middle of the process, and other times I start with an idea and finish it exactly that way.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Dangiuz
Who are 2-3 artists you admire or respect that you think deserve (even) more recognition?
There are many artists who I admire and respect.
I could say many names but it wouldn't be fair to exclude all the other great deserving ones, both emerging and established.
What do you benefit the most when working with NFTs and the blockchain?
Complete creative freedom is what I value the most.
I still do some commercial work, but I'm privileged and lucky enough to choose what I can work on.
NFTs have revolutionized it all: digital artists can now be valued for their own vision and not just for their skillset.
What do you do when you are trying to enhance your creativity?
I try to watch movies, read books, play video games, visit museums, explore new styles of art I may not be too familiar with, and get in touch with different artists/people involved in art.
A Breath of Fresh Air by Dangiuz
What skill should anyone harvest early in their career that will pay off massively for years?
Definitely something related to technical skills, in my opinion.
This kind of practice develops the 'artistic eye', which evolves much faster than your artistic skill. You'll be able to distinguish bad artwork from good, and good from great, before you can produce great art yourself.
Then you can grow your own skills in art, whatever medium you use.
What is one thing you think artists should focus more on, and why?
Enjoying art.
Some artists end up feeling like they "have" to do art just because they have to, considering their past, history, public figure, etc. But if you are not absolutely enjoying doing art, I believe you're doing it wrong.
What’s the hardest part of being an artist?
Statistically, for most artists probably I'd say exposure, visibility, and most of all, finance, unfortunately.
Lonely Road by Dangiuz
What advice would you give to someone just starting their journey as an artist?
Explore as much as you can.
Don't write off any medium if you haven't tried it yet.
You might never know what you are good at or what you might have some natural inclination for, be it drawing, 3D, photography, or anything else.
Why do you create art?
For two main reasons:
1) To express myself, and
2) Because it's the only thing I really love doing and won't get tired of.
What’s a book or an article that has greatly influenced your life?
1984, by George Orwell.
High Grounds by Dangiuz
What habit or practice has changed your life the most?
Prioritizing my sleep schedule at all costs.
For me, that means waking up early and going to bed early.
What does success look like to you?
Success is subjective, thus different for everyone.
To me, it's the freedom of being able to make a living out of what I love doing the most.
What is your favorite failure?
I don’t really have one.
I don’t see failure as a bad thing necessarily, I believe it’s a vital part of the process.
However, I don’t really have a favorite one.
The Shadow Line by Dangiuz
What are you willing to struggle for?
Excellence, improvement, topping myself.
Creating the vision at all costs.
What single question can you ask yourself daily to guide you closer to success?
For whatever thing I'm doing, I try to ask myself:
"This thing I'm doing right now, is there any way I could be doing it better than how I am already? And if so, how?"
What is one strong opinion you have?
I believe there is no such thing as "too much art" for an artist's 'supply'.
Art is for everyone and we are 8 billion on this planet. I would NEVER worry about such a thing.
Skyglider by Dangiuz
What lessons from the past do you still carry with you today?
I've learned that a clear conscience makes a great pillow at night and that most people are not really interested in hearing the truth about something, they just want their opinions to win over yours.
You can't win everyone's mind so just remember to be a good person without wasting time proving it.
If people think you are the villain, embrace it :)
What would you say to your 25-year-old self?
Keep it going because eventually, you will get it all squared out!
Grand Challenge by Dangiuz
Learn more from Dangiuz
Something to read:
Diving Into the Dystopian with Dangiuz, by AOTM
Something to watch:
The Art of Dangiuz
Something to listen to:
A Conversation with Dangiuz
