“Here We Art” with Raphaël Erba

“GM!”

“Drop your art!”

“Do you have any art for sale? I'm buying!”

To denizens of crypto art Twitter, these phrases likely ring familiar. In the midst of the frenzy that engulfed the crypto art space in 2021 and its ensuing bull run, these tweets remained a constant presence. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, one might ponder: could this tumultuous scene be encapsulated and reimagined through the prism of creativity?

Enter the world of Raphaël Erba, whose recent collection titled “Here We Art” does just that. This collection has made waves in the crypto art sphere on Twitter, resonating not only with crypto artists but also with a broader web3 audience in a cultural context.

Based in Lyon, Raphaël Erba is a multidisciplinary artist, serving as a motion designer, illustrator, and animator. He established his audiovisual production company, Alchimeo, in March 2006, where he showcases his talents in directing, animation, performance, and special effects.

Venturing into the world of NFTs in March 2021, Raphaël experienced initial success with his sales, primarily on platforms like Foundation and SuperRare. His journey gained further momentum with participation in prestigious events such as Sotheby's 'Natively Digital 1.2' auction in 2021.

In light of this, we had the privilege to delve into Raphaël's creative process, exploring the origins of his beloved characters, his diverse inspirations, and much more.

New Society: Could you share how your journey with NFTs began?

Raphaël Erba: My introduction to NFTs stemmed from my role in overseeing a creative studio named Alchimeo, constantly on the lookout for emerging talents. It was around 2021 when I noticed artists like Ever Fresh Design venturing into NFT artworks. Sebastian is an exceptional animator, and he has been a source of inspiration for me over the years.

Seeing his transition to NFTs piqued my curiosity, especially considering our shared penchant for vibrant animations. For some context, I typically leaned towards colorful creations as well, while my exploration of the black and white style is actually a later experimentation.

New Society: How did the concept for your “Here We Art” collection originate?

Raphaël Erba: Interestingly, the genesis of the “Here We Art” traces back to a collection that initially wasn't part of it. The first piece in that collection was titled “Circle of Violence” it was my inaugural foray with a dark feeling, depicting a firearm amidst a circular motif.

This piece led me to contemplate the broader landscape of crypto art, prompting the inception of another work, “Take Your Chance”.

Inspired by the cult of “Drop your Art” on crypto Twitter, it serves as a commentary on the phenomenon within the crypto art community.

New Society: Absolutely, the animation captures that sentiment perfectly. It resonates with the flood of “Drop your Art” posts that inundate Twitter/X feeds.

Raphaël Erba: Precisely, the intention behind this piece was to highlight the absurdity of this trend on Twitter. It's as if people are demanding artists to churn out work on command, without regard for the effort and passion artists invest.

“Take Your Chance” marked the inception of the “Here We Art” theme for me. From there, I began conceptualizing other pieces, aiming to portray the recurring cultural patterns within the crypto art community.

Stylistically, I drew inspiration from the simplicity of traditional French comic strips, opting for a minimalist graphic approach. These animations proved relatively straightforward to produce, given their monochromatic palette, taking me only 1–2 days per piece.

Moreover, I introduced a recurring character — a figure with a white visage and a flaming black silhouette — to lend coherence to the series and facilitate storytelling.

New Society: Fascinating. How did the idea for this character originate?

Raphaël Erba: The genesis of this character traces back to another series I worked on, titled “Nuit Blanche.”

It comprised a limited edition of six pieces released weekly, chronicling the tale of a young boy and his feline companion combating the impending catastrophe of the moon hurtling towards Earth. I envisioned this boy as a beacon of light amidst darkness, hence his luminous white countenance and fiery crown.

New Society: What led you to incorporate this particular character into the “Here We Art” collection?

Raphaël Erba: I saw the boy as a powerful metaphor for artists — constantly ablaze with ideas, seeking inspiration, and chasing opportunities. Their minds are always alight with creative fervor, whether they're immersed in their work, participating in Twitter spaces, or navigating the fast-paced changes within the industry. It's like a perpetual state of burnout that many artists experience.

I explored this theme further in another piece titled “Day-by-Day.” It depicts the same character, emblematic of the relentless pursuit of creativity, always glued to screens — daytime on the computer, nighttime tweeting on the phone. Interestingly, this piece gained significant traction on Instagram, amassing around 50 million views, resonating deeply with fellow artists.

New Society: It seems like the sentiment resonates widely, not just among artists but throughout the crypto community — everyone seems to be immersed in a constant screen-centric lifestyle.

Raphaël Erba: Absolutely, the response was overwhelming. Comments flooded in on the Instagram post, with many Internet friends exclaiming, “That's me!”

It was intriguing to see the conversation extend beyond the character to include discussions about the cat featured in the artwork. Interestingly, that cat is actually mine and serves as yet another wellspring of inspiration for my work.

New Society: What fuels your creativity and drives your artistic endeavors?

Raphaël Erba: My creativity draws from various sources. Firstly, there's the rich tapestry of life, particularly within the art sphere.

Additionally, my cat and daughters serve as profound sources of inspiration. I've dedicated entire collections to my daughters, exploring themes of childhood dreams, melancholy, and playfulness.

The genesis of my animations actually stems from these familial connections, evolving over time into the distinct style of “Here We Art.” I regularly share pieces from this collection on Twitter, gauging audience reactions.

Many pieces remain unminted, and even those that are having yet to be priced, as I navigate the delicate balance between catering to artists and appealing to collectors. This collection is infused with sarcasm and introspection, making it somewhat experimental in its reception — I'm eagerly awaiting to see how it resonates.

New Society: Can you recall a particularly memorable experience from your journey as an artist?

Raphaël Erba: One standout moment for me was when I collaborated with Sotheby's on a piece featuring my daughter joyfully bouncing on a bed. This happened during my early days in the NFT space, when I had a relatively small following.

Mondoir, a prominent collector, approached me with the opportunity to create a piece for Sotheby's, which led to the creation of that artwork.

It was an exhilarating experience in 2021, as I found myself thrust into the world of NFTs, crafting pieces for a prestigious institution like Sotheby's. The piece fetched around 40k at auction. Subsequently, I had the opportunity to create another piece for Sotheby's, this time centered around the theme of ninjas.

New Society: What inspired the choice of a ninja as the subject?

Raphaël Erba: The decision to depict a ninja stemmed from two main reasons. Firstly, ninjas have always been among my favorite characters. Secondly, I wanted to convey the notion of artists as warriors in their own right. In this piece, the ninja wielded a pencil instead of a sword, symbolizing the artist's weapon of choice — the paintbrush.

Interestingly, the genesis of this character traces back to an art competition I participated in. I created a short film titled “Papier de Riz,” where I handled the animations while my father provided the voice for the emperor character.

The film emerged victorious in the competition, leading me to retain the character and integrate it into subsequent projects.

New Society: Are there any aspects of the crypto space that trouble you?

Raphaël Erba: I wouldn't say it vexes me, but I'm not particularly drawn to the drama often found within the crypto community.

Debates surrounding pricing, the intersection of art and finance, and the constant valuation discussions can be overwhelming. I've always struggled with pricing my work — it's an area where I lack confidence.

This sentiment is reflected in my “Here We Art” collection, which carries a heavy dose of sarcasm. While I don't harbor animosity towards these discussions, I often find them amusing. The crypto space is undeniably chaotic, and through my animations, I aim to capture and illustrate its frenetic energy.

On a related note, I have a collection on OpenSea titled “GM” featuring the ninja character. It originated from my desire to engage with the community when I had zero followers on Twitter. Rather than simply responding with a generic “GM” I opted to create animations showcasing my work.

X: @raphael_erba
Instagram: @raphaelerba