Object Subject Form

Creative Partnerships: When Art, Love, and Business Collide

In 2005, Kyle and Kimber Cooper invited me to relocate from London to Los Angeles for my dream job at their company, Prologue.
At the time, Prologue was in its infancy—a small but exceptionally talented team landing opportunities alongside some of the most established companies in the industry. This marked the beginning of a journey that would shape the next decade of my life.
My time there was nothing short of an intense apprenticeship, where I was encouraged to tirelessly fight for ideas, and never find myself idle.
This final episode of Season 1 of Object Subject Form explores the magic that happens when art, love, and business collide. 
Kimber Cooper is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in design, film, and VFX, with recent ventures into e-commerce and XR. She has founded three companies: Prologue (where I spent the first decade of my design career), Prologue Immersive, and Spatialand (now called Insperience) acquired by Walmart in 2018 when she partnered with Marc Lore and Lori Flees to create the first retail virtual experience.
Launching a business is daunting, but starting the journey with your life partner brings some unique challenges to the surface. It’s not just about navigating a business but also managing a marriage and family.
Kim reflects on what it means to have a creative life partner and how to work closely with someone you love while navigating life’s inevitable challenges—balancing family, finances, employee retention, and maintaining a steady flow of work.
This conversation celebrates the intersection of creativity, innovation, and partnership—offering insights for anyone navigating the balance of art, love, and business.
If you’re considering starting a creative business with your significant other, this episode is for you.
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Connect with Kim on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimber-cooper-463a0b3a/
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Prologues' Website:
https://prologue.com/
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Connect with me:
https://zaap.bio/simonclowes
 

Hybrid Workflows: The Human–AI Creative Partnership

How do we ensure AI enhances creativity rather than diminishes it? Can designers integrate AI into their workflows without losing the essence of human-driven craft?
As AI continues to reshape creative industries, designers face a critical choice—resist, or adapt and find a way to collaborate. This episode of Object Subject Form explores the evolving relationship between human creativity and machine intelligence, highlighting the role of hybrid workflows in shaping the future of design.
Simon Dixon, co-founder of DixonBaxi, has spent over two decades at the intersection of creativity, design, and technology. His studio is known for its bold philosophy—“Be Brave”—a mindset that extends to adapting to emerging technologies. 
Driven by the enduring power of creativity, DixonBaxi collaborates with some of the world’s most iconic brands across sports, entertainment, media, the new economy, and technology to design a better future.
Their clients—Netflix, Google, Samsung, Warner Bros Discovery, AC Milan, Hulu, and more—trust them to help prepare for what’s next.
In this conversation, Simon explores the Human–AI Creative Partnership—how AI can be a tool for expansion rather than replacement, the challenges of maintaining originality in an era of automation, and why adaptability is the most important skill for designers today.
This episode sets the tone for Object Subject Form's second season, focusing on the technologies and ideas that will shape creative practice over the next 5 to 10 years.
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Connect with Simon on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonsdixon/
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DixonBaxi Website:
https://www.dixonbaxi.com/
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Connect with me:
https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

Bridging the Gap: CryptoPunks & the Convergence of Digital & Traditional Art

How can digital art cement its place in contemporary culture? Can NFTs and blockchain technology continue to bridge the gap between artists and major institutions?
As dialogue around digital art continues to evolve, questions of legitimacy, value, and long-term impact remain central to the conversation. In this episode of Object Subject Form, we examine how digital art is gaining recognition in major institutions and how emerging technologies are reshaping the art world.
Currently the GM of CryptoPunks, Natalie Stone leads the iconic collection that ignited a contemporary digital art movement, with pieces in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Centre Pompidou, LACMA, and ICA Miami. She played a key role in CryptoPunks: Free to Claim, a Phaidon-published project with Zak Group that chronicles the rise of CryptoPunks and their cultural significance.
Formerly at Google, she led Google I/O, crafted VR/AR experiences with artists like Childish Gambino and LCD Soundsystem, and developed an experimental new media program for artists working in AI.  
With a deep understanding of both traditional and digital art ecosystems, Natalie offers a unique perspective on the evolving dynamics of curation, collection, and creative innovation.
In this conversation, we discuss the challenges and opportunities facing digital artists today, the role of traditional art institutions in Web3, and how blockchain technology is redefining provenance, ownership, and artistic value.
Launched by Larva Labs in 2017, CryptoPunks consists of 10,000 unique pixel-art characters that became a symbol of digital ownership and the CryptoArt movement. Stored on the Ethereum blockchain, CryptoPunks are more than just collectibles—they’ve played a pivotal role in shaping conversations around provenance, value, and the integration of blockchain technology in the art world.
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Connect with Natalie on X:
https://x.com/naughtaliestone
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Natalie’s website:
https://nataliestone.co/
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Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stonenatalie/
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CryptoPunks:
https://cryptopunks.app/
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Learn more about CryptoPunks on the Brand Hub:
https://hub.cryptopunks.app/
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Follow CryptoPunks on X:
https://x.com/cryptopunksnfts
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CryptoPunks Book @ Phaidon:
https://www.phaidon.com/store/fashion-and-pop-culture/cryptopunks-free-to-claim-9781838669300/
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Connect with simon:
https://zaap.bio/simonclowes
 

URL to IRL: The Art of Creative Connection

What if the most meaningful creative work begins not with what we make, but with how we connect?
In this episode of Object Subject Form, recorded live in Mérida, Yucatán, Simon sits down with Héctor Ayuso — founder of OFFF and Paradiso — to explore the deeper layers of what it means to gather with intention, and be fully immersed in creative expression.
Héctor reflects on his journey from growing a globally recognized festival (OFFF) to creating Paradiso, a five-day immersive retreat rooted in joy, presence, and meaningful connection. He opens up about his childhood, how therapy reshaped his life and why being uncomfortable is necessary for growth. 
This is a conversation about realigning with purpose. The importance of building spaces that invite vulnerability and how real-life gatherings are becoming more vital in an increasingly digital world. It’s about staying true to what matters, even through discomfort.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your work or uncertain about your path, this conversation is a reminder that creativity isn’t just about what we make — it’s about how we live, who we connect with, and the courage it takes to stay true to what matters.
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Connect with Héctor on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-ayuso/
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Connect with Héctor on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hectorayuso/
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Learn about Paradiso:https://home.paradisofest.com/
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Follow Paradiso:
https://www.instagram.com/paradisofest_/
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Learn about OFFF:https://www.offf.barcelona/
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Connect with Simon:https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

Special Episode: Creative Leadership in a Changing World

As creative industries continue to evolve, the ways we approach leadership, identity, mentorship, and growth are being reexamined and reimagined.
How do creative leaders adapt to an increasingly complex world? What does it mean to nurture human-centered creativity while navigating rapid technological change?
In this special episode of Object Subject Form, host Simon Clowes steps into the guest seat for a live dialogue hosted by Swim Creative.
He joins Maria Barbirotto and Stephanie Dunaiski to explore how creative leadership is shifting, the importance of mentorship in building resilient teams, and how identity shapes creative expression in times of uncertainty.
Drawing from his personal journey across design, film, and technology, Simon shares insights on leading with empathy, promoting human-centered creative processes, and navigating change without losing sight of purpose.
This conversation is a reflection on the ever changing creative landscape—and how staying rooted in empathy, adaptability, and human connection is essential for supporting meaningful work.
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Connect with Maria on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariabarbirotto/
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Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-dunaiski-ab28a486/
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Swim Creative:
https://swimcreative.com/
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Connect with simon:
https://zaap.bio/simonclowes

All In: Betting Everything on Bitcoin’s Future

Bitcoin has dominated headlines, sparked political debates, and divided opinions. Through all the noise, one fact remains: it’s been one of the best-performing asset classes of the past decade—but for many, the real significance of this technology is still just starting to sink in.
In this episode of Object Subject Form, Simon sits down with Valko, friend, fellow CryptoPunk, and newly appointed Chief of Staff at World Liberty Financial—a decentralized finance platform launched in 2024 to simplify access to digital assets and crypto-backed financial tools.
Known for his unwavering conviction in blockchain technology, Valko has gone all in on crypto—an investment stance most financial advisors would call extreme. But what drives this level of conviction? And what lessons can be drawn from it as Bitcoin continues to outperform nearly every traditional asset class over the past decade?
Together, they break down the fundamental reasons why Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies matter, why these technologies remain central to conversations about financial sovereignty and technological evolution, and how they may play a pivotal role in shaping the next decade of global economics.
Whether listeners are crypto-curious or already deep in the space, this conversation offers perspective on why it’s no longer a question if they should pay attention.
Disclaimer: This episode was recorded prior to Valko’s current role. The views expressed are his own and do not represent the views of his employer. Topics discussed are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
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Chapters
00:00 Bitcoin as the New Reserve Asset  
01:10 Introduction
02:19 Why Bitcoin and Crypto Matter Now  
04:19 Valko’s All In Crypto Philosophy  
06:10 Bitcoin as the Future of Digital Ownership  
09:24 Ethereum, NFTs, and Programmable Money  
13:14 Transparency, Trustlessness, and Privacy in Crypto  
16:16 Should You Stay Anonymous in the Space?  
19:22 Reputation: Online vs. Real Life  
22:13 Valko’s First Crypto Transactions and Early Days  
25:34 CryptoPunks and the Birth of Digital Identity  
31:15 Staying Informed in a Fast-Moving Space  
34:36 The Political Landscape of Crypto  
41:19 Is It Too Late to Get In? Advice for Newcomers  
45:50 Risk Management and Building Wealth  
50:10 The Rise of Meme Coins and Internet Culture  
54:34 Imagining a Future of Widespread Crypto Adoption  
58:30 The Impact of Crypto on Traditional Finance  
1:03:10 Bitcoin, AI, and Exponential Technologies  
1:05:40 CryptoPunks: Identity, Art, and Community  
1:12:13 What It Means to be a voice of leadership in Crypto  
1:18:01 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Valko  
 
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Connect with Valko on X:
https://x.com/valko
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Specs News (On pause due to Valko’s new position at World Liberty Financial):
https://www.specs.news/
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World Liberty Financial:
https://www.worldlibertyfinancial.com/
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@Punk6529 TAP Thread
https://x.com/punk6529/status/1701623475725533524?s=46
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CryptoPunks:
https://cryptopunks.app/
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Learn more about CryptoPunks on the Brand Hub:
https://hub.cryptopunks.app/
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Follow CryptoPunks on X:
https://x.com/cryptopunksnfts
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Connect with simon:
https://zaap.bio/simonclowes