Artist Spotlight: Platon and the Optimism of the Human Condition

Kevin is joined by Platon, a photographer whose work you've seen countless times even if the name doesn't ring a bell. Here, they discuss Platon's NFT projects past, present, and future; the transformative power of art; what Muhammad Ali taught him about greatness; the promises and potential pitfalls of the NFT space; Putin's favorite Beatle, and much more.

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Who is Platon? [01:16]
What has driven Platon's vision as a photographer over the past few decades? [03:05]
How Platon's reputation for conveying his subjects honestly paved the way for a prolific career, and the role John F. Kennedy Jr. played in getting him access to the world's most powerful people. [04:34]
What serves to remind Platon of his core belief to never be dazzled by power, fame, glory, or the idea of success. [09:02]
What is Platon's real superpower? [10:45]
How Barack Obama surprised Platon. [14:19]
How Vladimir Putin served as Platon's boot camp in intimidation tactics, and what helped break the ice. [16:49]
Platon describes what went into shooting another session in Russia -- this time with elusive NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. [27:04]
How Platon's NFT collaboration with Edward Snowden came about, and where the proceeds went. [34:25]
Thoughts on the dangers of measuring the value of art and artifacts in dollars, and what it could mean for the NFT space. [38:42]
Considering the environmental impact of NFTs and working toward positive change. [43:33]
What Platon believes to be the only way to drive positive action, and what Muhammad Ali taught him about greatness. [46:17]
Platon's thoughts on where the NFT space is today, what it gets right about rewarding artists and cutting out predatory middlemen, and what can be improved. [51:23]
Weighing the world-changing pros and cons of blockchain technology as NFTs stand poised to become a major source of campaign funding in the next election cycle. [57:35]
The truth that blockchain-prompted transparency forces us to confront, and how Platon hopes this helps equalize the conversations we need to be having as a society. [1:03:46]
Is Platon the Oprah of photographers? [1:07:32]
Platon walks us through his current NFT project of drum-scanned irises -- Eye Love You, Eye Hate You -- what we've seen so far and what we can expect to come. [1:10:10]
Thoughts on art's power to entice, inspire, question, speak truth to power, and transform. [1:22:14]
Parting thoughts. [1:30:23]

Artist Spotlight: Platon and the Optimism of the Human Condition

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