BrutalEth: Where manual mastery meets digital distribution and innovation
In an era where the digital and the physical realms are starting to converge, Marco Bonafè, aka BrutalEth, embodies the synthesis of classical finesse and contemporary creation. The essence of his story is that of an artist who not only adapted to the changing tides of art's mediums, but also harnessed them to expand his own expressive capabilities.
“I will never forget the day when, after poring over Van Gogh's works and the poignant narratives of his life in books and the letters to his brother, I encountered his art in its true form,” Marco Bonafè reminisces. At the age of fifteen, he suddenly stood before ‘Prisoners Exercising’ at an exhibition celebrating Impressionism. “To witness this masterpiece, not confined to the flatness of paper but in its full, textured glory, filled me with a sense of wonder and immense joy,” he reflects. Marco had admired Van Gogh’s contemplations on art and his articulate discourse on the craft of painting from a young age. “But it was the palpable texture of the canvas that truly made me realize the power and emotion that a work of art could evoke,” Marco elucidates.
‘Prisoners Exercising’ by Vincent van Gogh
Today, at the age of forty-two, Marco reflects on a distinguished career that has already spanned years and garnered considerable acclaim. His artistic practice has been anchored in Milan, where he was represented by two galleries. Marco’s work has not only garnered awards in competitions, but has also secured him places in prestigious museum exhibitions. And, his art has been showcased at the illustrious Venice Biennale. "Art has always been the backdrop of my life," Marco shares, his lineage steeped in the arts with a grandfather who was a skilled figurative painter. While Marco's early forays into art occasionally also embraced the figurative, it was the language of abstraction that truly spoke to him, though it took some time for him to realize.
Emblematic of a traditional journey, Marco’s education in the fine arts was comprehensive, grounded in learning techniques from established masters. "The challenge lies in shedding those teachings to forge a unique artistic identity," Marco says with an almost painful laugh. He describes art education as a contradiction: "One must absorb all that knowledge, only to later cast it aside in the quest for one's own distinctive voice." He elaborates on the process as "a long and painful road, particularly for the novice artist, who is often inundated with ceaseless revelations." Like many emerging artists, Marco grappled with the notion that everything had been created before, which spurred him to seek a deeper, more personal engagement with his work.
Marco decided to search for a distinct visual style through diligent scholarship and an insatiable pursuit of exhibitions across the globe. He posits, "To create authentically, one must first understand the past. It's the scaffold that supports the dialogue your art initiates with the world." Marco asserts that a comprehensive grasp of historical and contemporary art is crucial in sculpting one's aesthetic preferences. His artistic expression evolved into abstract shapes and hues, captivating observers with an inherent quest to discern narratives amidst the forms. His objective however is not to transmit a specific message, but to establish a visual conversation, “to kindle the flame of free interpretation," he elucidates.
Buono & Alienation
Marco's approach to digital artistry adheres to the same principles of uniqueness and personal signature. "In my digital work, I strive to weave a distinct personal code," he explains. Each piece of art he creates stands as a singular entity, even as his abstract collections suggest algorithmic origins with their assorted, intricate traits. Despite Marco's affinity for the ingenuity of generative art, his deep-seated compulsion to create propels him towards fabricating pieces that mimic the output of algorithms while being meticulously handcrafted. He revels in the interplay between the concept of generative art and the tradition of handcrafted works, thus honoring both painting and manual artistry before an expansive, online audience.
Marco’s dedication to digital artistry thus represents an extension of his physical work, not a divergence. "The perimeters of my studio have expanded to include the digital space, which allows for real-time interactions with collectors and fellow artists," he says. Adapting to this novel arena, however, was a gradual process for Marco. The digital landscape unveiled a new realm, demanding acclimatization. "Encountering web3 was like a seismic shock, forcing me to confront my entrenched beliefs," he acknowledges. But his innate curiosity surmounted initial reluctance. “There was no reason to lament my career trajectory. Yet, there came a moment when I encountered a creative standstill. The conventional gallery scene, with its constraints, clashed with my aspiration for absolute freedom in art, and I found the established art circuit too limiting.”
Chromatic Harmonies, no. 24
Marco has always eschewed the predictable path, driven not by what is proven to work, but by a quest for autonomy. "My existence gravitates towards liberty," he avows. The digital canvas emerged as his experimental laboratory, a nexus where his manual artistry could intersect with precision. This predilection for innovation was prefigured in his conventional art practices. Even before the advent of web3, Marco was already integrating mathematical shapes and techniques into his physical artworks—using stencils, paint, airbrush, and geometric forms—to evoke a digital essence while still honoring the tactile process.
Early physical work (2012)
Hence, at the heart of Marco's vision for creating digital art on the blockchain lies a profound respect for the manual process. He loves to immerse himself deeply in his work, dedicating innumerable hours to each piece. "Every project starts with a paper sketch," he notes. This initial sketch is then digitized and edited in Photoshop on his iMac, using nothing more than a computer mouse. "My process involves distorting the images and stretching them to add depth," he describes. The resulting textures vary, ranging from solid to gradient, sometimes incorporating a glitch aesthetic. In his compositions, Marco fuses abstract, painterly elements with shapes reminiscent of digital icons or tools. "My quest is to discover novel forms that converse with the grand narratives of historical art, particularly abstract expressionism, while situating them in the modern context." Through meticulous manual labor, Marco aims to replicate effects typically associated with machines or algorithms, thereby engaging with and challenging contemporary technology.
Progress, strarting with a sketch before digitizing
Marco's adoption of a new moniker within the digital space is far from arbitrary. "This medium has captivated me entirely," he asserts. "I have yet to encounter an expressive medium that offers greater immediacy in consumption, clarity, fairness, and a progressive paradigm so intertwined with what I consider the imminent future of technology." His chosen name, BrutalEth, nods to the Ethereum blockchain, with 'Brutal' reflecting the unrelenting pace of Web3. "The rhythm here is staggering—imagery and interactions on the platform are immediate and unfiltered."
Marco's most striking collection to date is Chromatic Harmonies. "I regard this project as a canvas for my emotions, encompassing two hundred artworks crafted by hand," he shares. Each piece began as a foundational sketch, from which he developed numerous variants across distinct categories, each symbolizing a different trait. Yet, the unifying theme of the collection is the exploration of color—its blend, its interplay, and the subtle figures nestled within abstract configurations. The collection tells a story of joy, sadness, passion, and contemplation, capturing the multiple facets of human emotions.
Chromatic Harmonies, no. 69
Through his journey, Marco has faced the universal challenges of an artist: market fluctuations, creative blocks, and the quest for originality. "Consistency is my mantra, through peaks and troughs alike,” he says. BrutalEth's story is a narrative that continues to unfold, a blend of discipline, innovation, and an enduring passion for the arts. It's marked by the quiet perseverance of an artist navigating the complexities of a digital age while remaining anchored in the tactile world of traditional art. “Physical art will never fade away, and I believe the blend of both will be its ultimate definition. Yet, it is within the Web3 space that I want to focus my present efforts."
Chromatic Harmonies, no. 165