Deep Blue 2017

Editor: Here we have Beeple’s “Deep Blue” from 2017, a digital rendering of what appears to be a mountainous landscape under a very unusual sky. It feels both futuristic and a little desolate to me. What elements of the composition stand out to you? Curator: The interplay of geometric and organic forms is compelling. Note the sharp, crystalline structure of the mountains juxtaposed against the smooth, almost ethereal, disc in the sky. Editor: Yes, that circular shape is definitely the focal point. Is its simplicity meant to draw our eye? Curator: Precisely. The circle functions as a signifier, demanding immediate visual attention through its stark contrast with the jagged landscape. Furthermore, consider the color palette: a vibrant yet artificial combination of blues, pinks, and purples. How does this affect your perception of space within the work? Editor: It definitely flattens the perspective. The neon colors almost feel like they are pushing forward, blurring the distinction between the foreground and background. Curator: Observe the meticulous rendering of light. The artist masterfully utilizes gradients and highlights, which gives volume to the angular forms. It's almost a simulation of nature pushed to the limits of digital expression. What interpretations can be derived from that tension, do you think? Editor: It brings forward a strange tension. It makes me think about how the digital can simultaneously replicate and distort our experience of the natural world. It is a kind of constructed reality. Curator: A fruitful observation. We begin to discern how digital rendering becomes less about faithful representation and more about stylized artifice. Editor: I see it now. Focusing on Beeple’s rendering process helps unpack the constructed nature of the image itself. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. By isolating the core compositional elements, we uncover an important commentary about how we perceive landscape through digital media.