“Make art every day. Don’t worry about selling it. And don’t judge yourself.” - Artist interview with Daniel Kramer

Have you ever wondered what a hippie-punk art marriage would look like? Well, look no further. Although Visceral Glitch’s artworks might seem chaotic at first glance - I admit, I was intimidated - there is always a hint of familiarity in each of them, you just have to dive a bit deeper. That in itself is the main function of art: an invitation for viewers to step outside their comfort zones, embrace change, and find beauty in the broken.

Daniel Kramer becoming an artist is proof that no matter what we choose to make of ourselves, we’ll always end up doing what we’re meant to do. Youngsters - and “adult” adults - reading this, buckle up because you might want to hear how Kramer became Visceral Glitch. Coming from a family of artists, Daniel strove to carve his own way in life as a Motion Graphics graduate from Parsons. He started off telling other people’s stories until he couldn’t bear it—the mark of a true artist. Kramer shifted gears to focus on glitch art after an inspiring encounter with a glitch app introduced by a friend.

This simple introduction ignited his passion for taking photographs apart and piecing them back together to challenge perception and invite curiosity, which he developed over time by combining augmented reality (AR) and NFTs using the Artivive App.

Kramer’s work is not only visually striking but carries deeper messages of transformation, growth, and healing. He views his process of deconstructing and reconstructing images as a metaphor for life. Despite working in a digital medium, Kramer still feels the thrill and hesitancy of “breaking” a photograph, much like an artist taking a brush to a blank canvas. This symbolic act of creation and destruction embodies his own journey of growth, both as an artist and an individual.

Kramer’s creative process is rooted in a sense of exploration, which he likens to his spirit animal, the panther. Just as a panther moves through the night, unaware of where it is going, Kramer’s art is often created in the moment, without knowing the final outcome - a delicate balance between spontaneity and methodical experimentation.

One of Kramer’s most personal pieces is *I’m Not Trash*, inspired by an encounter with a box labeled with those very words. This piece connected deeply with a close friend who had struggled with feelings of worthlessness throughout his life. 

Looking ahead, Kramer is preparing to launch a new merch line and continue expanding his work with NFTs and AR. He is particularly excited about incorporating unique materials, like paint infused with ground-up crystals, to add an extra layer of mysticism and texture to his physical and digital pieces. Additionally, he’s working on a series of events, including a special interactive experience at Art Basel in Miami, where his glitch art will be integrated into a club setting with glow-in-the-dark elements and hidden Easter eggs, creating a real-life augmented reality scavenger hunt for attendees.

Kramer’s advice for emerging artists is simple but profound: “Make art every day. Don’t worry about selling it. And don’t judge yourself.” A mantra he practices every day. 

‍