🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #50 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this fascinating episode, we sit down with the innovative German photomedia artist Boris Eldagsen. Renowned for his deep exploration of the unconscious mind, Boris’s work blends photography, theater, painting, and film to create symbolic visual poetry that exists between the sublime and the uncanny.

About Our Guest: Boris Eldagsen

Boris Eldagsen is a Berlin-based photomedia artist whose career spans over two decades. His work delves into the unconscious, crafting evocative images and immersive installations that connect with viewers on an intuitive, dreamlike level. From "Inverted Street Photography" to cutting-edge AI image-making—termed "promptography"—Boris continuously pushes the boundaries of art and technology. With exhibitions worldwide and collaborations with leading institutions, Boris remains a pioneer in exploring humanity’s collective unconscious through art.

Tune in to this episode to:

- Explore the origins of Boris’s groundbreaking "promptography" and AI image-making.

- Learn how Boris combines archetypes, symbolism, and technology to craft his evocative art.

- Discover how his personal philosophy and experiences shape his creative journey.

- Reflect on the societal and artistic implications of AI in visual storytelling.

Outline:

0:00 - Coming Up…

3:30 - Early Artistic Influences and Transition to Photography

7:23 - Philosophy and Artistic Foundations

11:11 - Discovering Yin and Yang in His Work

18:05 - Collaboration with Roger Ballen

22:45 - The Concept of Inverted Street Photography

28:18 - Transition to Staged Photography

47:27 - Evolution of Immersive Installations

1:00:17 - Collaborative Work and AI Experimentation

1:02:19 - Philosophy of AI and Promptography

1:13:50 - Creativity as Problem-Solving

1:20:53 - The Future of AI and Art

1:41:27 - Overcoming Misconceptions About AI in Art

1:53:35 - Exploring Human Condition and Subconscious Themes

1:58:27 - Returning to Black-and-White Imagery

2:00:45 - Closing Thoughts on Collaboration and Future Projects

Don’t forget to:

- Subscribe to our channel for more episodes that explore the intersection of art, technology, and the unconscious.

- Like and share this episode to celebrate the evolution of visual storytelling.

- Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

EPISODE LINKS:

Boris's Website: www.eldagsen.com

Instagram: @boriseldagsen

SOCIAL:

- Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast

- Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast

- Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast

- Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast

#BorisEldagsen #TheUrbanautPodcast #AIArt #Photography #Promptography #VisualPoetry #TheUnconsciousMind #ArtisticExploration #urbanautica #stevebisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #49 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this episode, we journey with Canadian photographer and educator Kyler Zeleny, whose work delves deeply into the Canadian prairies and the stories within rural communities. Kyler’s trilogy of photo books captures the essence of small-town life, exploring the beauty, resilience, and complexities of the rural landscape.

About Our Guest: Kyler Zeleny
Kyler Zeleny (b. 1988) is an accomplished Canadian photographer, educator, and author, holding degrees in Political Science, Photography and Urban Cultures, and a PhD in Communication & Culture. With published works like Out West, Found Polaroids, Crown Ditch & The Prairie Castle, and Bury Me in the Back Forty, Kyler has documented rural life on the prairies for over a decade. His work, featured in publications like The Globe & Mail, The Guardian, and The Washington Post, reflects his ongoing exploration of rural identity and urban-rural contrasts.

You can follow Kyler's journey and works on Instagram at @kylerzeleny or on his website at kylerzeleny.com.

Tune in to this episode to:

• Discover the origins of Kyler’s trilogy documenting rural Canadian life:
• Explore his inspirations drawn from his academic and artistic background, and how his rural upbringing on the Canadian prairies continues to shape his artistic philosophy.
• Delve into his reflections on “post-photography” in an AI-driven era, where traditional photography blends with digital and archival storytelling.
• Hear Kyler’s philosophy on respecting the creative process and pursuing knowledge, as he shares insights on capturing rurality's “roses and thorns.”
• Learn about the “hero’s journey” in his work, as Kyler returns to his roots to create a layered narrative of rural life.

Don't forget to:

• Subscribe to our channel for more episodes exploring art, photography, and place.
• Like and share this episode to celebrate the stories and landscapes of the Canadian prairies.
• Follow us on social media for updates and exclusive content.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Kyler’s Contact: www.kylerzeleny.com
• Kyler’s Instagram: @kylerzeleny

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction to Kyler’s Trilogy
8:56 - Farm Background and Early Photography Beginnings
14:37 - Influence of New Topographic Photographers
35:09 - The “Hero’s Journey” and Storytelling
36:51 - Exploration of ‘Found Polaroids’
52:34 - Loneliness and Spiritual Connection to Rural Life
1:25:22 - Reflections on ‘Post-Photography’
1:30:38 - The Rose Metaphor
1:32:08 - Layered Storytelling in Photography
1:59:44 - Creating a Roadmap of Past, Present, and Future
2:06:08 - Final Reflections and Advice to Photographers

SOCIAL:

• Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast
• Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast
• Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast
• Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast

#KylerZeleny #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #CanadianPrairies #DocumentaryPhotography #RuralIdentity #OutWest #CrownDitch #BuryMeInTheBackForty #ArtisticExploration #urbanautica #SteveBisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #48 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this insightful episode, we are joined by the visionary Damien Drew—an accomplished production designer and an evocative photographer. Damien’s unique perspective bridges architecture, film, and photography, creating a compelling narrative on the transformation and loss of authentic places across global landscapes.

Damien Drew’s work critically examines the evolving relationship between humans and their built environments. Capturing what he sees as the loss of distinct “place” in favor of homogenized spaces, Drew invites us to consider the beauty of impermanence. His celebrated exhibitions, Everywhere was Wherever and Wabi-Sabi, depict vanishing cultural landscapes, from America’s southern towns to rural Japan. Through his evocative lens, Drew reframes the forgotten or decaying as spaces of quiet reflection, beauty, and introspection.

Tune in to this episode to:

• Journey through Damien’s transition from architecture into film and photography.
• Understand how his architectural training influences his documentary approach to photography.
• Explore his projects, Shikoku Silence and Wabi Sabi, which capture the melancholic beauty of impermanent spaces in rural Japan.
• Gain insight into Damien’s reflections on globalization’s impact on cultural identity and unique environments.
• Discover his role in the art direction and production design for Elvis, where he helped recreate 1950s and 1970s Memphis to tell the story of the iconic musician.

Don't Forget to:

• Subscribe for more in-depth discussions with visionary artists and photographers.
• Like and share this episode to support thoughtful dialogue on visual storytelling and cultural shifts.
• Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Episode links:

• Damien’s Website: damiendrew.com
• Damien’s Photography Portfolio: photography.damiendrew.com
• Damien’s Instagram: @damien_drew

Outline:

0:00 - Introduction to Damien and his Work
3:00 - Discovering Photography as a Teenager
4:26 - Studying Architecture and Its Influence on Visual Storytelling
9:43 - Entering the Film Industry Through Serendipity
17:45 - Cross-Country Motorcycle Journey in the U.S. as Creative Inspiration
24:18 - Observing Homogeneity Across American Small Towns
33:52 - Cultural Loss and the Importance of Architectural Documentation
1:05:22 - Parallel Passion for Photography in Film
1:10:56 - The Decline of Japanese Rural Villages in Shikoku Silence
1:17:33 - Tokyo’s Traditional Markets vs. Modern Consumerism
1:28:07 - Trusting One's Creative Voice Over External Feedback
1:32:29 - Japan’s “Night Movers” Company and Themes of Reinvention
1:40:15 - Production Design Work on Elvis and Recreating 1950s Memphis
1:52:06 - Emotional Connection Through Personal Projects Over Commercial Success
1:55:18 - Solitude in Independent Creative Work
1:56:58 - Advice on Following Your Authentic Voice in Art

Our Social Media:

• Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast
• Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast
• Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast
• Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast

#DamienDrew #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #CulturalDocumentation #VisualStorytelling #WabiSabi #ShikokuSilence #UrbanExploration #ElvisMovie #ArtDirection #urbanautica #stevebisson #PatrickLeeHubbard

About Our Guest: Damien DrewTune in to this episode to:Don’t forget to:EPISODE LINKS:OUTLINE:SOCIAL: