In the early 1980s, Brendan Dawes's grandfather gave him a tiny computer. While he couldn't do much on it compared to today's advanced computers, "it forced me to learn how to code and program to make it do something", Dawes recalls. "I was fascinated; I could type words into this black box and have it make things." He first used his newfound coding powers for evil rather than good, in the form of a prank. He went into a branch of electronics store Dixon's, where they had several ZX81 computers each joined up to a TV, and quickly reprogrammed each one to infinitely repeat "Dixons is sh*t" across the screen. "I guess that moment taught me how powerful code could be."
Thus began the much sought-after British digital artist's passion for technology and design. Dawes first started creating NFTs in June 2020; when he uploaded his first piece, passionate NFT collector WhaleShark snapped it up within the hour. "Brendan is one of my favourite artists in the [NFT] space," said WhaleShark on an episode of Tatler TV: Meta Versed, Tatler's live-streamed series on all things metaverse. The collector, who has amassed a staggering collection of more than 400,000 NFTs, describes Dawes as a "force of nature" because of his alluring, colourful aesthetic and his ability to capture our digital interactions. In particular, the artist accomplishes this by building algorithms that visualize data created during everyday life.
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Denne historien er fra June 2022-utgaven av Tatler Hong Kong.
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THE LAST WORD
Every issue, we ask our cover star a round of quickfire questions that give us a little more insight into their personalities. This month: Gulf Kanawut lays it bare
WOMEN AT THE WICKET
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TIME TURNER
A 2024 Turner Prize nominee, British Filipino artist Pio Abad talks to Tatler about carrying on family legacy, unearthing historical connections and why the Philippines is always at the core of his work
ROYAL RICHES
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MAKING HER POINT
Foil fencer Daphne Chan is happy to see the rising interest in her sport since Cheung Ka-long's historic win, and is headed to the Games with impressive wins behind her. But she's not allowing the pressure to get to her, and is most excited about who she might meet in Paris
IN IT TO WIN IT
Hong Kong freestyle swimmer Ian Ho, whose Instagram handle @Amphlb_ian playfully alludes to his aquatic prowess, competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and won silver in the men's 50 metres freestyle at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. This month, he will represent Hong Kong at the Paris Olympics. He talks to Tatler about making Hong Kong proud, life as a student and professional athlete-and why relaxing is the way forward
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Two-time Olympic swimmer Camille Cheng thought Tokyo 2020 would be her last Games, but competing in Paris was too big a draw for the French Chinese athlete
INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES
Parisian artist Ugo Gattoni takes us through his elaborately designed poster for the Olympics and Paralympics in his home city this month
Crafting a New Legacy
Nicholas Lieou, creative director of high jewellery at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, is reimagining jewellery, as the brand celebrates its 95th anniversary
A Lasting Legacy
Tatler explores Cartier's latest Watches and Wonders novelties with the maison's image, style and heritage director, who explains how the luxury house continues to create designs that are relevant today, yet rooted in legacy