Determined Expression

CURATORIAL STATEMENT

Massimo Magee's audiovisual digital art pieces are designed to be read by computers as both a static visual image and a bit of audio. While computers perceive visual and audio aspects as one object, human observers require separate readings to discern them. By merging the lineages of abstract image-making and experimental music, Magee proposes a new hybrid form of art that pushes the boundaries of traditional perceptions and representations. In this series, Magee draws inspiration from the twin legacies of abstract art and jazz music, weaving them together in a complex, multi-layered tapestry of sound and visuals. At its core, Magee's art practice questions the fundamental divide between organic and electronic perception, exploring how our understanding of the world is mediated and interpreted by technology. In doing so, he opens up new avenues for artistic expression and cultural consciousness. Jazz music and crypto art may seem vastly different at first, with the latter being primarily visual and the former — sonic, but the two art forms share some striking similarities. Both have a history of pushing boundaries and breaking conventions. With its improvisational nature and experimental approach, jazz challenges music norms, much like how crypto art defies conventional notions of art and ownership with its use of blockchain technology and digital mediums. Both jazz and crypto art represent a spirit of experimentation and disruption, challenging the status quo.