Des Lucréce

The artist.

Des Lucréce, a Norwegian-born Vietnamese artist based in the United States, has emerged as a significant figure in contemporary digital art. His work delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of cultural duality, particularly the experience he describes as "No Home Center." This term encapsulates the feeling of being "too Asian for Westerners and too Western for Asia," reflecting the nuanced challenges faced by second-generation Asian immigrants.

Lucréce's creations are characterized by their unique expressionist style, often manifested through GIF animations. Utilizing tools like Procreate, Photoshop, and After Effects, he crafts intricate works featuring intertwining lines and dynamic motion. His style draws inspiration from artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Maki Haku, Futura 2000, and Saul Bass, blending elements from various artistic movements to forge a distinctive visual language.

One of Lucréce's seminal projects is the "Monsters" series, initiated in response to the surge of anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collection portrays various personalities encountered online, particularly those spreading xenophobic rhetoric. The series serves as both a personal catharsis and a broader commentary on societal prejudices.

Lucréce's work is deeply informed by philosophical concepts, notably those of Jacques Lacan and Slavoj Žižek. He explores ideas related to desire, pleasure, and ownership, challenging viewers to reflect on their perceptions and the societal constructs that shape them. This intellectual depth adds layers of meaning to his art, inviting audiences to engage beyond the visual aesthetics.

Des Lucréce stands at the intersection of art and digital innovation, using his platform to address pressing social issues while pushing the boundaries of digital artistry. His exploration of identity and belonging resonates with a global audience, making him a pivotal figure in the evolving narrative of contemporary art.

Trace is comprised of a total of 114,076 characters, 131 lines, and a total file size of 111.4 KB. This work is the first fully on-chain L1 ETH work produced by Des Lucréce. The work is composed of three distinct compiled frames, each created independently. Each frame consists of two color vector layers on top of a black field. These finished frames are then animated layered on top of each other, resembling the technique used in traditional flip books. This approach effectively mimics a GIF format, which Des Lucréce is known for. 

In Trace, a solitary figure traverses a flooded alley bathed in a ghostly, surveillance-blue glow. The rain here does not cleanse; it pools heavy and cold like data—a digital deluge of unwritten histories. Overhead, a colossal insignia looms like a false deity of the digital age, as sagging wires bow under the weight of unsaid truths. Conceived in an era when to be seen is to be marked and promised sanctuary dissolves into quiet fear, Trace stands as a silent elegy for those erased in plain sight. It carves out a calm refuge for lives history forgets.