How do you visualise the idea of ‘youth’? Do you turn to images of counter-culture? Do you think of soft naivety? Are classic teen heartthrobs from yesteryear pinned up in the walls of your mind?

For artist Andreas Christidis it’s alien, chaotic, and truly awe inspiring. 

Growing up in a small village in Germany, Christidis was driven to reach far beyond his surroundings for inspiration. He eventually found his muses in contemporary fashion and youth culture. Having simple conversations with his peers on the creative scene acted as the perfect catalyst for the Stuttgart based artist to begin creating his unique 3D works. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that using the word “unique” prior might be a slight understatement. Christidis’s pieces resemble a supernova of contemporary youth iconography exploding on the astral plane. His works illustrate beings grafted together with felt, fleece, and nylon, roaming candy coloured landscapes with godly auras.

Recently, Christidis has deep-dived into the world of cryptoart. In a space where 3D works of surrealism and abstraction are the norm, he stands above the rest of the pack with his intrinsic understanding and inclusion of youth iconography. His pieces have translated perfectly into NFTs and have gained an ever-expanding cult following.

With more work on the way, we thought it would be a perfect time to pick his brain about his career and successes so far!

Growing up, what were some of your earliest art inspirations? 

To be honest, I grew up in a small village in Germany: unfortunately, we didn’t have many impressions or even a passion that we went after. I had also not gotten in touch with art at this time. However, it started at the age of 16 when I came into contact with the fashion industry and noticed how the passion built up. Therefore, my background comes from the area of the fashion scene and slowly but surely formed the first paths and the first results.

My biggest inspirations came from the youth/culture/music or just simple conversations with people who were also interested in the same topics as me. I started to get very involved with the subject, so I was always up to date and looked up to different fashion designers.

How did you initially get involved with motion graphics?

So it’s a very funny point. It all started with a small vision of a boy who wanted to ignite himself. I started to create my first fashion designs and created custom pieces just for personal use. Now I came to a point where I wanted to break borders, and I didn’t want any more limitations, and that’s how I came across the topic “3D Art”.

Your work often incorporates avant-garde and subcultural fashion trends into the surreal subjects at the centre of your pieces. What made you decide to make this a primary focus?

“Do what you love, right?”

I want to show the world that there are no limits in this area of digital fashion, and you can also develop very well in this subject. I also think that the subject is very underrated, and I also want to show people that digital fashion is its own art.

The title of many of your pieces is related to the attitude and concepts of being young. What does the idea of ‘youth culture’ mean to you as an artist?

“Youth is the future”.

Youth culture is a very big point for me, because most people develop in youth and build on it. Youth in itself gives you so many impressions, feelings, new experiences that you won’t experience and feel twice. That’s why I appreciate being young and want to pass it on with my art. You shouldn’t be ashamed of anything as a young person and feel as free as never before.

None of us would like to age, at least speaking from my point of view. So I implement my art with the youth, and therefore I represent the youth.

How did you get introduced to NFTs? 

To be honest, it was impossible to miss on NFTs, so I stumbled more and more into the area and got a lot more comfortable with it. I also realise that the topic is so big and just the beginning. 

Recently, you have seen a rise in popularity and exposure, especially within the world of Crypto-art. What has it been like to have your works received so warmly? 

It’s a feeling that’s indescribable because I didn’t expect it myself, and it awakens in me such great joy; I can’t put it into words. For example, all the requests, messages, or even just seeing someone use your artwork as their profile picture is surreal. I feel more blessed than ever because it’s the community around you that builds you up and moves you forward.

What has it been like reaching out and connecting with a global community of creatives online? 

It’s just nice to be where I am, connect with different artists, connect with people interested in art and just exchange words; it’s a feeling of esteem.

As the NFT space continues to evolve and diversify, what would you like to happen in the space?

I think it’s already incredible what we’ve all contributed; we’re the people who make it all happen.

What would I like to see happen? I think to build an even bigger community and help each other where we can, and at the same time prove what some wouldn’t expect.

Special thanks to Christidis for taking the time to chat! Follow him on Instagram @christidis.andreas and on Twitter @christix_eth. Make sure to check out his work on Foundation, Opensea, and Behance.

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