For the past few years, I found myself increasingly aware of a concerning trend within the creative and advertising industries: the erosion of the creative economy by established agencies.

We can no longer ignore the proliferation of mediocrity in the form of uninspired ideas and subpar executions flooding our online and offline lives.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that clients—now more than before—disillusioned by the diminishing returns on their investments, are either cutting budgets or reevaluating their (sometimes global) partnerships, turning to smaller agencies and studios.

Big agencies feel that pressure. Some of them use their vast experience and resources to invest heavily in AI, in an attempt to automatize and replace creative jobs so they can lower costs and become competitive again.

There’s also an obsession among larger organizations to introduce new processes and roles, all under the guise of innovation and value-added services. Yet, upon closer examination, they often just mask an underlying stagnation and inefficiency.

While some agencies glorify their methodologies and specialized roles as revolutionary improvements, the reality outside of their bubble couldn’t be more different. Their output is still perceived as tired, just executed with exaggerated budgets, convoluted workflows, and ultimately, diminished long-term returns for the brand they’re serving.

Is this just a clever ploy to justify charging higher fees? I believe so. The way I see it, this further dilutes the creative marketplace, along with the quality of the output, and the exacerbated disconnect between agencies and the clients they’re serving. Being profit-focused instead of creative output-focused just cannot be sustainable, can it?

Smaller agencies and studios focus on what truly matters: delivering innovative, more impactful ideas and solutions that resonate with their client's needs and goals.

Right now, during what looks like a global economic downturn, we notice how the wave of creativity is being pulled back, and, what's alarming is the apparent obliviousness of so many organizations.

Meanwhile, a silent exodus is also underway as top-notch creatives now venture out on their own, seeking not only creative freedom but also a genuine connection.

They know the inner workings and shortcomings of the ad giants and will use them to disrupt the status quo.

Their studios will bring a major shift: prioritizing quality over quantity, genuine collaboration over internal politics, and cultivating authentic client partnerships to truly understand and address their challenges.

This is not to bash the industry giants or suggest that larger agencies are destined to fail. However, they must shed rigidity and actively find ways to revitalize and sustain the creative ecosystem instead of destroying it. And do it soon.

Shoutout to all small creative businesses—keep leading the way!

```cv
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```

From Convoluted to Disconnected

A look at disorganized futures. Thinking about how the internet can be rough sometimes, the need to limit information overload to stay sane (but at what cost?).

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FRAKWDh9SvpZVymvRFSUf%2Febc274ed-0e09-402e-ac50-ac9f78d9155b.png?alt=media&token=184ec73e-53d8-48b9-b1e3-9e06fe76c86e","id":"ebc274ed-0e09-402e-ac50-ac9f78d9155b","width":1804,"height":1660,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 20.42.16.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

Disorganized Futures

A look at entities, nowhere/everywhere, adjustments, sensibility, distortion, softness, balance.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FVIAKI2cf7oteKXNrn4qy%2F6d5c977a-d143-45d5-ba06-87ab7ec7f640.png?alt=media&token=e09a72af-c86d-49c3-9f6e-92d1b2be3145","id":"6d5c977a-d143-45d5-ba06-87ab7ec7f640","width":2066,"height":1708,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-03 at 17.43.07.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

The Unbearable Softness Of Being

A look at coexistence, adaptation, anthropocene, regeneration, materiality, terrestrial.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FZRdUsp8LPy0H8IBSm77d%2Fb448b21f-2ff5-4a22-aa8d-cb56d77559ca.png?alt=media&token=3f8db47a-27db-4c57-9378-4192acfb4e3f","id":"b448b21f-2ff5-4a22-aa8d-cb56d77559ca","width":1696,"height":1582,"filename":"Screenshot 2023-12-20 at 18.22.28.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

Technology In The Wild

A look at imagination, possibilities, networked selves, interconnected realities, knowledge, simulations, the external world, and syntactical nature.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2Fcd6HWBs2Fqu7iNc2ZjIK%2F564919f7-e417-400e-ba28-a81e5d3db9dd.png?alt=media&token=8eb76ce4-d3d9-4e5d-a32c-11c6e459e4fc","id":"564919f7-e417-400e-ba28-a81e5d3db9dd","width":1912,"height":1692,"filename":"Screenshot 2023-12-19 at 12.31.30.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

Multiple Reality (Dis)Order

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FtaxdxVRnVXT6IIC5jfIK%2Fd4eca7cc-02f3-4f4f-a617-2569bf598b6c.png?alt=media&token=300e160a-1e45-4a4b-926f-4165411b19f0","id":"d4eca7cc-02f3-4f4f-a617-2569bf598b6c","width":1698,"height":1686,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-02-18 at 17.52.29.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

Right now, the creative industry feels at a jump-off point. 

Everything is changing. There are too many desperate attempts to remain relevant. Traditional models suddenly feel outdated. They don’t seem to be resonating with audiences.

Strategy and creativity advocate for critical thinking, self-expression, and new modes of imagination. Yet, an over-reliance on outdated frameworks persists, leading to repetitive outcomes and the same tired, safe, and conformist zones. 

The challenge is to allow human creativity to shine through once again. Clients expect a constant chase of content ideas geared towards mass quantity to remain the focus of attention over long periods. Ultimately, this constant pursuit of newness might disguise deeper structural issues, perpetuating an illusion of progress.

We all want to seek new ways of doing things. But this might be just a superficial gesture, contributing to a façade of innovation without addressing the underlying logic of consumerism. True innovation demands a radical departure from the prevailing narrative of commodification and superficiality rather than just remixing existing frameworks.

As digital culture continues to shape mainstream norms, we are pressed to design the future we want instead of being influenced by it.

We need less obsession over data. Data obsession is a symptom of a broader culture of hyper-rationality and control. Why not advocate for a deeper interrogation of our relationship with technology, challenging the very foundations of our reality?

We need to go against the system. As audiences become more educated and attention more scarce, we need to make space for “metaphysical” and absurd thinking to capture and re-enchant them. Why does it feel like advertisers underestimate their audience's intelligence?

We need to reimage new possibilities of creativity to engage audiences and manifest new realities.

oops, I have another opinion

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FuEjiRDnHIjY3taYa7pNw%2F9120a7f3-d45e-4280-8682-595b5d723ecc.png?alt=media&token=ddb53533-9e66-452a-b34d-d65d8769e4c3","id":"9120a7f3-d45e-4280-8682-595b5d723ecc","width":1600,"height":900,"filename":"img-2.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Source: Unknown","border":false}]}
```

*This is a living document, a work in progress that will continue to be updated and refined as I encounter new perspectives and insights. First published on: Aug 29th 2023 on my personal [website](http://alasky.xyz). Last Edited on: Sep 1st 2023.*

### **Introduction: Bridging the Digital and the Divine**

In the 21st-century zeitgeist, the fusion of technology and spirituality isn't an outlandish idea; it's an active paradigm\*. We don't merely use technology; we invite it into the inner sanctuaries of our souls, conjuring a digital alchemy that transforms our understanding of reality. It symbolizes more than just a union; it is a symbiotic relation between code and consciousness. Here, I aim to explore how technology continues to influence our perception of ourselves and blurring the lines between spirituality and the digital world.

### **Historical Connections and Modern Parallels**

Throughout history, humans have consistently integrated the technology of their era into their spiritual beliefs and practices. Whether the reverence for fire and water or the use of mechanical clocks to structure monastic life during the medieval period, technology has always been an integral part of shaping spirituality. Although this connection may seem peculiar or contradictory to us today, looking back at history reminds us that it is a natural progression.

As we navigate the intersection of spiritual practices and technological frameworks, the emergent synergy of ancient wisdom and modern science and engineering feels like a divine paradox that we're only starting to understand. Oracles once served as the source of divine wisdom. Fast-forward to today, and we find predictive algorithms shouldering a remarkably analogous responsibility. Whether guiding us in intimate matters of the heart or broad issues like climate concerns, these algorithms function as our liaison. They are not only serving functional purposes but also introducing a complex language that challenges our preconceived notions.

> “Older divination systems are based on cosmologically foundational symbols within a culture. For example, we can look to the yin and yang lines of the hexagrams that govern the I Ching and the eight elemental trigrams they compose, or the archetypal symbols of the Tarot. To work, these symbols must lock into underlying patterns of nature or the mind. Current predictive systems for policing, advertising, co-writing, etc. are trained on data sets arising from social systems positioned within a singular historical milieu: modernism, with its colonial roots. With several centuries or millennia of integrative practice, new ML systems might absorb the foundational symbolic potency of older divination methods.“― K Allado-McDowell, What If Technology Were A Prayer? (Interview with Display - Association for Research and Collective Practice)

It is more than a past-to-present iteration, it is a paradigm shift. It appears that we are witnessing a monumental transformation where predictive algorithms and immersive extended reality (XR) are more than just technological marvels—they are the metaphysical artifacts of our time. Just as ancient prophecies and mystical practices sought to decipher the unknown by fusing wisdom and spirituality, today's digital tools undertake a similar quest but in a language coded in algorithms and data. But this doesn't stop at functionality or technological virtuosity; it ponders the philosophical meaning of technology written in binary.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FuEjiRDnHIjY3taYa7pNw%2Fc1f66779-5cff-4b67-a6d8-db9b015df76d.png?alt=media&token=2d1e640f-a5b5-4f86-bbdf-247bcff3bdaf","id":"c1f66779-5cff-4b67-a6d8-db9b015df76d","width":1600,"height":900,"filename":"img-5.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Source: Unknown","border":false}]}
```

### **Symbols, Predictive Systems and Philosophical Underpinnings**

Upon further examination of the complexities involved, we find that insights from philosophers like Martin Heidegger become increasingly relevant, especially his observations about the uncanny nature of technology's role in our lives. We've transcended the now archaic construct where technology was subservient to nature. Now, it serves as a mirror reflecting our philosophic intricacies, fundamentally altering our perception in subtle yet profound ways. The age-old preoccupation with the macrocosm gives way to an intense focus on the micro—herein lies the uncanny nature of our techno-existence.

Freud's conceptual framework of the *uncanny*—that oscillation between the familiar and unfamiliar—extends into our symbiotic relationship with technology. This isn't just machinery; it's a new form of art, questioning the boundaries between animate and inanimate. It nudges us to revisit Lacanian psychoanalytic theories where the divide between self and system blurs, reshaping our existential place within a broader digital ecosystem.

### **Crossing the Reality Divide: A Dive into Hyperreal Spaces**

> “The Internet thinks me. The Virtual thinks me. My double is wandering through the networks, where I shall never meet him. For that parallel universe has no relation to this one.”―Jean Baudrillard, Impossible Exchange

Baudrillard's reflection on the virtual realm highlights the idea that our online identities, free from physical limitations, navigate a separate world filled with endless connections—yet one that feels increasingly disconnected from our tangible reality. However, there is a growing belief that the digital world is not just a *simulacrum\*\** but an enhanced version of reality. It goes beyond mere replication and instead amplifies our physical presence. In this redefined perspective, technologies like AI transcend their computational capabilities and become modern-day oracles—they go beyond data analysis to act as conduits for metaphysical insights, bringing us closer to existential and spiritual truths. This transformation makes human life multidimensional, not just in terms of conventional 3D technologies but also in the realms of what might be called *hyperrealities\*\*\**, such as VR or XR/AR. Hence, there is a need to redefine our understanding of human life and its relationship to reality.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FuEjiRDnHIjY3taYa7pNw%2F5ced8f93-cc17-47cd-b13c-55a05515cd26.png?alt=media&token=80e5ad2f-5034-42a4-8336-3d9a991244a8","id":"5ced8f93-cc17-47cd-b13c-55a05515cd26","width":1600,"height":900,"filename":"img-3.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Molecular Mandala (2007) by David Rush","border":false}]}
```

Mark Pesce, a virtual reality (VR) expert and technopagan, also sees cyberspace as a \*hyperreality—\*a confluence of the virtual and spiritual shaped by our collective imagination. To him, both the digital and the magical are guided by our imagination, where what's mapped becomes reality. He doesn't just view computers as tools but as sacred extensions of ourselves. Drawing a metaphor, he sees himself as a gardener on the Internet, planting ideas, nurturing them, and using technology to bridge differing realities. His viewpoint connects the technological and spiritual, altering how we interact with the world around us. This isn't a network; it's a sanctified realm.

In this context, Don Ihde’s notion of *multistability* becomes even more poignant. It suggests that technology is a mutable platform influenced by collective human ethos and beliefs. It can also mean that it serves multiple roles, interpretations, and ethical considerations. It also suggests that technology is a mutable platform influenced by collective human ethos; it can be bent, twisted, and reconfigured to fit different human purposes and can amplify existing cultural tendencies. As we move toward more immersive states of being, we discover potential havens for shared experiences. Can the digital worlds we create become the sacred temples of tomorrow?

Author Erik Davis argues that technology can facilitate spiritual growth. Exploring various mythical and archetypal cosmologies, and drawing from the [Corpus Hermeticum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpus_Hermeticum) and Buddhist philosophical metaphors like [Indra's net](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra%27s_net), he highlights the impact of religious and esoteric beliefs on our understanding of technology. Davis presents a unique and in-depth perspective, acknowledging that illusions or *chimeras* do inhabit the digital space while grounding his arguments in spiritual and mystical contexts.

Computer games have the spellbinding ability to create virtual worlds that resemble dreamscapes that pull us right in. Throughout history, dreams have been considered by many cultures as gateways to different planes of existence or understanding. Similarly, immersive games provide digital playgrounds where we can encounter experiences that blur the lines between the physical and the metaphysical. This closely aligns with Erik Davis's concept of *techgnosis*. In a game's coded environment, we can explore moral choices, connect with other beings, or even ponder existential questions—much like one might in a vivid dream.

> “There is no contradiction between technology and spirit. There is no contradiction between the search for intellectual integration and understanding and the psychedelic experience. There is no contradiction between ultra-advanced hyperspatial cyber culture and Paleolithic archaic culture. We have come to the end of our sojourn in matter. We have come to the end of our separateness.“\
> ― Terence McKenna, The Archaic Revival

Similarly, Terrence McKenna presents the idea of a harmonious connection between technological advancement and ancient spirituality in what he terms the *Archaic Revival*. According to McKenna, this connection allows us to rediscover and actively engage with ancestral belief systems and a deeper understanding of the cosmos. It ultimately leads to a contemporary revitalization of shamanic traditions that utilize modern tools like VR, the metaverse, and games alongside traditional catalysts like psychedelics. Far from being escapist diversions, these experiences of encountering 'the other' serve as pathways to unlock human potential and transcendental wisdom beyond ordinary limits.

### **Existential Webs and Cosmic Mysteries: Networks, Angst, and UFOs**

Drawing upon Deleuze and Guattari's *[Rhizome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizome_(philosophy))*, our techno-spiritual journey isn't a singular path but a complex, interconnected network—each node being an intersection of technology and spirituality. We're not just integrating but co-evolving within a rhizomatic structure that permits endless permutations and points of entry or exit. This is not simply a fusion of elements; it's the orchestration of profound, nonlinear alchemy, recasting both our spiritual rituals and tech advancements as intertwined meanderings of the human psyche.

Despite all this, a digital utopia comes with its own set of existential conundrums. Societies that have advanced rapidly often experience a paradoxical fear of the progress they have attained. Films originating from countries like South Korea, Japan, and China—known for being at the helm of tech innovation—often reflect these deep-seated concerns. *Ghost in the Shell* (1995), *Akira* (1998), and *Metropolis* (2001) are just a few films that explore the dilemmas of the integration of human consciousness with machines.

Cinema is one of the many perspectives we can look at when exploring the intersection of technology and spirituality. The UFO lore, often dismissed but persistently intriguing, is another perspective that deserves further contemplation. Are these sightings anomalies or glimpses of advanced civilizations operating at the nexus of technological mastery and spiritual sophistication? Could they represent manifestations of a collective yearning for higher connectivity and transcendence? These questions fuel the ongoing dialogue around tech-driven spiritual quests and demand a more nuanced interpretation.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FuEjiRDnHIjY3taYa7pNw%2F040942e5-e27b-4024-b45b-c5260411882d.png?alt=media&token=5e7daf76-d7bb-4d29-b3ad-981a8fac9579","id":"040942e5-e27b-4024-b45b-c5260411882d","width":1600,"height":900,"filename":"img-1.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Source: Unknown","border":false}]}
```

### **Beyond Upgrades: A Hybrid Existence, Quantum Computing and The Spiritual Algorithm**

N. Katherine Hayles, known for her work on literature and science, gives us a *posthuman* lens to reassess our metaphysical status, proposing that the marriage of man and machine is birthing a unique hybrid existence. This isn't an upgrade; it's an evolutionary leap. Our desires, fears, and ambitions are not just reflected in technology; they are merged and transformed through it.

In this sense, the progress made in biotech and quantum computing aren't just advancements; they mirror a kind of modern alchemical process that holds the keys to the cosmic code. We're not only deciphering our biological selves but actively shaping them; it's a process reminiscent of the alchemists who sought perfection and even immortality. If we continue to explore these principles and put them into practice, we might discover unusual ways of engaging with the very fabric of existence. This expansion of our understanding could allow us to explore realms that were once believed to be accessible only to mystics and spiritualists.

Quantum computing reveals a reality in stark contrast to classical theories, defined by principles of uncertainty and interconnectedness. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle exemplifies this by revealing that pairs of properties such as position and momentum can never be precisely known simultaneously. Additionally, quantum entanglement demonstrates that particles can be intricately linked to each other, regardless of their physical distance, so that any change in one instantaneously affects its counterpart. These phenomena not only push the boundaries of current scientific knowledge but also bear striking similarities to ancient mystical traditions.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FuEjiRDnHIjY3taYa7pNw%2F2255d372-b03b-4a50-8033-1fe9396648cb.png?alt=media&token=39c317e9-b003-40ea-8ec3-da615f2594c2","id":"2255d372-b03b-4a50-8033-1fe9396648cb","width":1600,"height":900,"filename":"img-6.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Tree of life (Kabbalah) + Neural Network","border":false}]}
```

### **Ethical and Spiritual Navigation in a Networked Existence**

> “It seems absurd at first, but technology can teach us about God. By the creation of nerdy contraptions, we will see God through the eyes of other minds remote from our own. We will also advance our understanding of god-ness by experiencing the limits and powers of unfolding creations of our own. It is possible we could be better creatures by being better gods. The ongoing scientific process of moving our lives away from the rule of matter and toward abstractions and intangibles can only prepare us for a better understanding of the ultimate abstraction.“ ―Kevin Kelly, Nerd Theology

As we wade deeper into techno-spiritual meanderings, ethical imperatives loom large. We must approach our innovations with the reverence they deserve, acknowledging both their transformative promises and the complex concerns they bring. To navigate this new frontier, we must ask questions that extend beyond utility to touch upon spiritual enrichment and ethical alignment.

It seems inevitable that our lives will become increasingly entangled in a progressively complex digital network. Given this, it is crucial to recognize that technology should be embraced as a means to amplify our human attributes. We should remain vigilant and critical, and use it as a force for good. We should perceive it as a tool for gaining existential knowledge—a collective driving force with the ability to reshape not only how we engage with the world, but also the very essence of what it truly means to be human.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FocFq38EJssdSh2Ot0IACn7V2MrX2%2FuEjiRDnHIjY3taYa7pNw%2Fc213beec-b7dc-4f8b-ab79-905a9202452f.png?alt=media&token=a810b06b-fc63-4c7e-9a6a-f03cf0eb46d6","id":"c213beec-b7dc-4f8b-ab79-905a9202452f","width":1600,"height":900,"filename":"img-4.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Source: https://www.behance.net/gallery/68186523/RNDM-ID","border":false}]}
```

### **Notes**

\*I used the term *active paradigm* to describe a model or framework that is not just theoretical but is currently in active application or exploration, shaping present discourse or practice in the field.

\*\*The *[simulacrum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulacrum)* is “an image without resemblance”; as [Gilles Deleuze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Deleuze) summarized, it is the forsaking of "moral existence in order to enter into aesthetic existence". However, Baudrillard argues that a simulacrum is not a copy of the real, but becomes—through sociocultural compression—truth in its own right.

\*\*\*There are four steps of hyperreal reproduction:

1. Basic reflection of reality, i.e. in immediate perception

2. Perversion of reality, i.e. in representation

3. Pretense of reality, where there is no model

4. Simulacrum, which "bears no relation to any reality whatsoever

### **︎ References**

* Heidegger, Martin (1977). The Question Concerning Technology, and Other Essays.

* Baudrillard, Jean (1999). Impossible Exchange.

* Baudrillard, Jean (1981). Simulacra and Simulation.

* Zwart, Hub (2017). ‘Eximate’ Technologies and Techno-Cultural Discontent: A Lacanian Analysis of Pervasive Gadgets.

* Freud, Sigmund (1919). The Uncanny.

* de Boer, Bas (2021). Explaining multistability: postphenomenology and affordances of technologies.

* Davis, Erik (1995). Technopagans - May the astral plane be reborn in cyberspace; from Wired Magazine.

* Davis, Erik (1998). TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information.

* Hayles, N. Katherine (1999). How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics.

* Krüger, Oliver (2015). Gaia, God, and the Internet – Revisited The History of Evolution and the Utopia of Community in Media Society.

* Guattari, Félix (2010). The Machinic Unconscious - Essays in Schizoanalysis.

* Lovink, Geert (2002). Uncanny Networks Dialogues with the Virtual Intelligentsia.

The Divine Interface: Technology and Spiritual Practices

Creative Strategist + Producer

I have been interested in the relationship between ancient wisdom, spirituality, and modern technology for quite some time, but only in the past few months, while contemplating my next career move, I started reading more on this topic. I found many interesting insights, and I now want to turn my personal little research into a writing exercise. \
\
In this ongoing exploration, I will look at themes like techno-spirituality, and mythical cosmologies, drawing from philosophy, cybernetics, and tech innovations. While only scratching the surface, I hope to bring a multi-disciplinary approach to a nuanced understanding of these abstract influences on tech and emerging trends.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

DeFi, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, tokens, DAOs, NFTs, metaverse etc.

DeFi Learning

Blockchain Business Models

The Fabricant and CAT Footwear joined forces to devise an innovative campaign for Supercharged Intruder XL, the first sneaker inspired by the metaverse. Blending urban work site aesthetics with digital elements, our creative direction seamlessly aligned with the brand’s mission to equip people to push for a better tomorrow.\
\
Together with The Fabricant, we conceptualized and developed 4 futuristic digital extensions of the Intruder XL, influenced by a range of industrial materials and textures, along with visual cues taken from rave culture, digital interfaces, and future-fashion aesthetics.\
\
We further developed marketing content that captured CAT's ethos and underscored their future-forward direction.\
\
To further enrich the player experience, we collaborated with virtual try-on tech company Vyking to develop and implement a customized web AR experience available to all footwear enthusiasts.

NFTs & AR

The Prototype is an innovative sneaker design by Diesel’s creative director Glenn Martens, which sets the tone for any upcoming digital footwear by the brand. It is the beginning of an era, which is also reflected in the NFT itself. It is pushing the boundaries of reality, the imaginary limits of athletic footwear design and is breaking the aesthetic rules all-round.

Prototype NFT

Antinomy Labs was approached by an anonymous entity to create a multifaceted and ambitious generative art project.\
\
404 was presented as an advanced alien civilization’s response to The Voyager Golden Record. 404’s intention was to show itself; a self-learning technology (AI) invented by an extraterrestrial race. The vision was to show life on their planet - the environment they inhabit, their biology, and their secrets.\
\
This intricate narrative became the backbone of an expansive and explorable 3D world. We imagined how an alien planet would look like if it were born into extreme states of existence. The landscapes evolved into a collection of 4,444 unique generative NFTs, each featuring unusual visuals that emphasize a tech cautionary tale woven into 404’s AI-centric narrative.\
\
An immersive playable experience inside the metaverse platform Mona was also created for anyone to explore, find hidden artefacts, and uncover more of the overall lore of the project.

404 NFT

The Material You Collection is a 12-piece unisex set of limited-edition digital fashion apparel that will allow Pixel 6 users to “express their individuality better.”

Google Pixel 6 - The Material You Collection

3D artist Stephy Fung has teamed up with The Fabricant for the release of her latest NFT collection, Zodiac Wardrobe, inspired by the Chinese Zodiac. The drop will allow users to co-create their own unique token through a series of heritage Asian garments, materials, and colors, with 35,000 unique combinations available. The collection, complete with cross-cultural references, splices her Chinese aesthetic with a streetwear vibe — creating a bold new language for the virtual world.

Season 02 x Stephy Fung

Together with Myosin, we developed a seamlessly integrated content hub with educational resources on web3, an “award-to-collect” student experience, token and chain strategy, and minting strategy.

Shiseido+ web3 Collectibles

The Fabricant Studio has an accessible tool where you can co-create with the world’s best 3D artists, creators and brands by customizing their items using exclusive digital fabrics and trims created especially for the platform.

After you finish your creation, you can mint and trade it in The Fabricant Studio NFT marketplace. Royalties are split between everyone involved in garment creation, building a more equitable fashion world for all.

Season 01

Since 2015 I've been DJ-ing and (sometimes) producing under Aleksa Alaska, represented by https://fmly.agency/artist/aleksa-alaksa

DJ + Producer

Research, creative strategy, story, lore and overall storytelling approach for a multifaceted and ambitious gamified generative art project called 404.

Freelance Creative Strategist

Freelance Creative Producer

Account Manager

PITCH STUDIOS™ is a digital arts studio and creative consultancy lab specializing in using creative technologies as a medium for visual narratives and digital experiences. We consult, direct, and ideate on creative projects spanning art, design, and experiential, enabling visionary partners to explore new realities.

Strategy Director + Partner

LOFO crafts trans-seasonal, unisex clothing with an artisanal touch and a tech-forward mindset, emphasizing sustainability, the wearer's spirit, and meaningful design over vanity and trends.

Brand Manager

• The Fabricant (Google x DressX, Diesel, CAT x Vyking, Decentraland)\
• LePub Agency (Heineken)\
• Myosin DAO (Shiseido)\
• Dada Projects (Boucheron)\
• Antinomy Labs (404)\
• ALTAVA (Worlds of You)\
& others

Freelance Strategist & Producer

Blockchain tech and AI, web3 education hub, NFT collectibles & GTM strategy.

Clients & projects: Myosin DAO, Shiseido+ Digital Academy.

Freelance Innovation Strategist

Junior Brand Manager

Freelance Communications Consultant

Consulted Le Pub on speculative NFT, metaverse, and web3 strategies for Heineken.

Digital fashion, NFTs, AR, metaverse, 3D content production. 

Clients & projects: Google x DressX, Diesel, CAT x Vyking, The Fabricant Season 1 and 2, Decentraland.

That one time I ventured into entrepreneurship by starting an organic vegetable farm + online shop.

Alexa Chirnoaga

2024