Jason Ting

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Do you remember the first time you heard about NFT Art?

Jason Ting: I had seen the #cryptoart hashtag on some Instagram posts for a while but never really paid attention to it or understood what it was. It wasn’t until I chatted with Lindsay Howard from Foundation when I really started to understand the concept of NFTs and their impact on the digital world.

Do you collect NFT Art yourself and if so, which are your favourite pieces?

Jason Ting: I’ve only started to do so – I really loved Matt Deslauriers’ “Subscapes” and Matt Jacobson’s “Watercolor Dream” drops on Art Blocks.

Is there an artist you would like to work with?

Jason Ting: I don’t have anyone in particular in mind right now, but generally I would like to collaborate more with musicians/sound artists. There’s something magical when the feelings of the visuals match up with the audio just right.

Where do you see the NFT Art scene in the future?

Jason Ting: I could see a world with more collaborations and intermixing between genres and mediums.

Which tools do you use to create your art?

Jason Ting: Lately I primarily use TouchDesigner with GLSL shaders to create my work. I love it because it’s a real-time visual workflow where I can easily change parameters and iterate quickly to get to a visual look I’m happy with.

Can you tell us more about the story behind your project “Light Beams”?

Jason Ting: I’ve always loved watching sunsets, especially with how the colors blend together. Light Beams was inspired by that, as well as the meditative ebb and flow of ocean waves in San Diego, California (where I used to live).

Would you like to share more about your last project “Bubble Blobby” with us?

Jason Ting: The initial inspiration came from seeing a video of water droplets in zero gravity – I remember being delighted by its playful morphing as the droplets floated around.  A lot of people have it said it reminds them of a lava lamp, which I always wanted as a kid but never had…maybe this was a subconscious gift to myself 🙂

Which of your artworks are you most proud of?

Jason Ting: Smoke Dancer is one of the pieces I’m most proud of. The dynamic movement of the dancer (Courtney Henry) is highlighted through the fluid movements of the colored smoke.

We are curious 🙂 Would you be willing to share any plans of upcoming projects?

Jason Ting: Yes, lots of potential collaborations and perhaps a fundraiser project!

How can our readers find out when and where you publish your upcoming projects?

Jason Ting: They can find me on Instagram and Twitter.

Who or what are your biggest influences or sources of inspiration?

Jason Ting: I’ve always been fascinated with the myriad of phenomena found in the natural world: the aesthetics of waves and fluid motion, gravitational and magnetic forces, sound vibrations yielding visual patterns, and the way light and color mix during sunsets, to name a few.

I’m also inspired by James Turrell and Dan Flavin’s work with light, the interactive and immersive work of TeamLab, as well as pioneers of computer-based art, Vera Molnár and John Whitney.

Have you been active in the offline art world?

Jason Ting: I recently finished a video projection installation in downtown New Haven, created in memory of Breonna Taylor and in grief over justice denied after the grand jury trial in 2020 failed to hold officers accountable for her death. This was the first time I’ve shown work in such a public space; it felt significant to share it in a way where people could engage with it in the real world. My hope is that it might be a site of remembrance for the New Haven community.

How did you first become interested in art and how did you get started with it yourself?

Jason Ting: I’ve loved computers and art since I was a kid. When I was a teenager, I discovered creative tools like Paint Shop Pro, 3ds Max, and Flash. I started making graphics and animations as a way of “doodling” in this new digital realm. I continued to pursue my art interest in college by doing a computing arts degree, where I used technology in new and unexpected ways to create visual artworks.

What does a normal day for you look like and what do you like to do when you’re not busy with NFT Art?

Jason Ting: I usually try to do my daily sketch in the morning right after I finish my coffee. I find I’m most lucid and creative in those quiet morning hours. After a run/walk and lunch, I’ll do some administrative work like answering emails or have meetings, and then spend the rest of the day working on longer-term projects.

I enjoy running, biking, and being in nature. Basically anything that involves not looking at a digital screen 🙂

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Jason Ting: That my worth isn’t based on what I can make, do, or earn.

Is there something aside from art or NFTs you collect?

Jason Ting: I used to collect stamps and coins as a kid but not anymore. These days I enjoy collecting my friend’s artworks.

What do you feel the moment a project you’ve created dropped?

Jason Ting: A mixture of relief, excitement, adrenaline, and a little bit of nervousness with how the project will be received.

Where do you like to travel?

Jason Ting: I love to travel to Southeast Asia (where my extended family lives), particularly Malaysia and Singapore. Once travel restrictions are lifted I hope to make a trip there!