Born in Sharon, Connecticut Apostolos Stefanopoulos continues to live in New York, USA. He is a graduate of philosophy and economics from Marist College, New York. Wassily Kandinsky, Caravaggio, and the philosophy of logic influenced him in the art of abstraction.
New York-based philosopher Apostolos Stefanopoulos has a rather different idea of turning words into art. With Aretephos, Stefanopoulos renders language into symbolic art through computer code written primarily in Python, then printed on Hahnenühle fine art paper.
Tell us a little bit about your idea and what made you decide to take the plunge and make it happen?
I wanted to make something different, something that no one has done before and knew I could do it. We live in an age where art is stagnant, no one has really reached outside mediums, so I thought I must. So one day, I was in my office, and I saw something written on my wall next to a Kandinsky piece, “Spitzen in Bogen, 1927”. That is when it occurred to me how these words would look in an art form. Then, I created my own algorithm of how these words would look to me in art. The algorithm is Python code based which allows me to type phrases and render them into art.
Could you please explain your business model for us?
Traditional sales model: I sell ten pieces that are limited edition prints and do customs work as well. All are printed on Hahnemuhle Fine Art Paper and measure 20”x20”.
What are you working on right now and what are you most excited about in the next year?
I am seeking to build and tweak the algorithm, even more, that way I can do more with it. My next project will be rendering poems and syllogisms. I am always searching ways I can infuse mathematics, philosophy, and physics even more in my models.
How do you make ideas happen?
I place myself in situations whether its conferences, plays and conversations that allow me to grow intellectually. That way, I can really reach new heights rather than just waiting for things to happen. I also love to visit galleries around me and see what others are doing and what they seek in art.
What does your typical day look like?
I am not a morning person, and I function best late nights around 10 pm -3 am. Working late nights allows me to zone out and focus on things. The majority of people are sleeping, so I will not be distracted. Mornings I wake up at 7-8am, drink coffee and start reading philosophy or cosmology that gets my mind in an intellectual mind frame.
What about internationally?
I would love to keep showing my work internationally more often. My first time was in Montreal. However, I sell my pieces worldwide as well as on Fancy, so I can get the international exposure while not being there physically.
What is one idea you’re willing to give away for free?
My main point is always to do things that no one does, and you can do this by really being yourself. To try new things and not walk the same line everyone walks.
