Between Reality and Simulation with Bard Ionson

Bård Ionson is a pioneering crypto artist whose work explores the space between technology, perception, and reality. With roots in early computer art and a self-described practice of tinkering, he creates using code and AI, often questioning what is real and how we come to trust it. An early participant in the crypto art movement, Bard has helped shape its experimental and collaborative culture since 2018. He is also actively involved in preserving digital artworks, working to restore pieces from platforms like Async Art so that foundational works of cryptoart remain accessible. Recorded on April 29, 2026. Follow the guest: https://x.com/bardionson https://bardionson.com/ Follow the hosts: https://x.com/Scooter0x https://x.com/PepaDot Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:13) What cryptoart means to Bard (03:33) From early computer art to creative practice (04:53) Influence of Nam June Paik and Fluxus (07:12) AI, simulation, and questioning reality (11:06) Anti-establishment roots of cryptoart (13:42) Community, ownership, and public access (15:34) Utopia vs. apocalypse in crypto (16:48) Political themes and challenging power (18:19) Double Take mint pass with Hash Gallery (20:27) Balloons in the Sky at NFC Lisbon (25:45) Interactive art and audience participation (28:08) Collector ownership and new economic models (31:50) Significance of sky in artwork (34:17) Preserving digital art and Async restoration (39:31) Foundational works or cryptoart (42:06) Bard's cat steals the show (42:59) Closing remarks