Calvin Tigre's Secret Event
Photograph by Harry Boston.
Creativity always culminates at our favorite intersections. Art, fashion, music, and technology have a synergistic relationship that is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Last month I attended Calvin Tigre’s Secret Event, where the culmination of artistic expression and technology manifested as NFTs, and I gained a better understanding of how that world works - or can work.
The “secret event” was a private birthday celebration for Tigre, coupled with his first ever [NFT] art show, as well as a special musical performance - also by Tigre. There were drinks courtesy of Rockwell Brewery, groovy sounds courtesy of DJ Chilly C, and Miranda Munguia set up shop to take free portraits of attendees.
When my friends and I first walked into the building, we were greeted by a friendly woman who explained what to expect throughout the evening. The main floor housed Tigre’s Tiggy Limited NFTs, properly titled Uncanny, Unrequited Love, and Nostalgia; and Munguia’s photography set-up. The second floor housed DJ Chilly C, the libations, and Tigre’s traditional artwork, which consisted of photography prints and limited edition Tiggy Limited socks.
Between the conversations, drinks, and the DJ spinning actual vinyls (I’ve personally never experienced this before) - the masterfully curated vibe was undeniable. And my biggest takeaway of the night was that NFTs are the future, and you can wield their power to your liking.
DJ Chilly C. Photograph by Harry Boston.
Image of Tigre’s NFT’s from my Close Friends Story on Instagram.
“My goal was to create an experience at home, that would be the same as if you were inside of an art gallery,” Tigre said about his NFTs.
“When you purchase the NFT, you get the physical component with it because it was important that my NFT also be three dimensional [which is not always the case with NFTs]. I see it in someone's recording studio over in the corner; or as a centerpiece in a loft … it would be a cool talking piece in anyone’s space.”
“I based the entire concept on the opening night of a gallery. You go there; there’s drinks; the DJ’s playing; there’s music; and you’re looking at things on the wall. And I wanted the NFTs to resemble that. So I used the old school dinosaur TVs with the DVD players because it’s true to my childhood. The simulation of opening night at an art gallery is complete when you put on the headphones to listen to the music along with the art. [Aside from transporting viewers from their home, to an art gallery] I also think it’s an interesting and exciting idea to put the newest technology - NFT’s - with old technology.” A style Tigre has always embodied through his creative lens.
“My inspiration for these [NFT’s] came from soul searching. I’m primarily known as the music video guy. But these NFTs are the exact opposite of a music video. Even though it’s still music with imagery, it’s literally a slide show.”
“Whenever I feel I'm being pushed into a box, my reaction is to pivot and do something new,” he continued. “So whenever I started feeling too much like the music video guy, I asked myself, ‘how can I do something the exact opposite - something that requires little to no editing?’ And I felt like it was kind of ironic and silly because music videos are the same [thing] essentially, only they’re much more intense. But this was easy: Song, picture, that's it.”
The moral of the story is, NFTs present an opportunity to step outside of the box and explore your creativity. Whether you’re an artist looking to create using different mediums, or an artist looking to expand your reach - the world of NFTs is the place to be.
You can purchase Uncanny, Unrequited Love, and Nostalgia on Opensea.io. Learn more about each of the NFTs below.
Uncanny - This particular collection of images were inspired by that unsettling feeling of something that isn't overtly scary, but quite unnatural feeling. I've been inspired by dreams that leave you watching your back after you're awake and features an instrumental track produced by Kyle Ray. Every photo was shot on 35mm analog photography. I hope that when you watch the gallery, you experience the sensation of "Uncanny."
Unrequited Love - This particular collection of images are dedicated to my cat, Tiri, and features the song "I'm On Your Side" by Drangus. When I first heard this song, it immediately made me think of the skritchy kitty that dwells in our living quarters. The love that I've shown to Tiri has not been returned and I find myself asking "Won't you show me love?" Unrequited Love is the perfect term to describe my relationship with the hell cat. I love her but she does not return that love, but it's ok. I will still love my skritchy regardless.
Nostalgia - This particular collection of images were shot entirely on analog 35mm photography and features the song "Bikes" by Daniel Bradbury of Dialogue. The images are of houses/architecture in St. Louis, MO aka my hometown. This song combined with these images create a pure vibe that I think accurately depicts the feeling of Nostalgia, at least it does for me. Nostalgia is one of the most enjoyable emotions we can feel even though it has a bittersweet taste to it and to me, that is the same feeling that these houses bring up inside when I drive through the city.