There are lights that can only shine in the dark.

📸 Leica SL & ZEISS 1.4/35
📍Kabukicho, Tokyo 2021
Shot during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Spirit of the Night | 夜の魂

CryptoPunk #3306

Haiku | 俳句

Winter solitude
in a world of one color
the sound of wind.

- Matsuo Bashō

-

In temple's hush, snow descends with grace,
White whispers veil each sacred space.
Silent echoes of ancient prayer,
Blanketed by winter's tender care.

Through frosted gates, lanterns glow,
Casting shadows soft and low.
Amidst the chill, a tranquil shrine,
Where solitude and peace entwine.

Each flake a verse in nature's ode,
In white, the temple finds abode.
A sanctuary in wintry night,
Where spirits dance in pure moonlight.

-

- Artist: Ilan Derech
- Piece: "Shiro | 白 (White)"
- Year: 2024
- Location: Hirosaki (弘前市), Japan
- Technique: Composite Cinematography
- Equipement: Leica Q2

Shiro | 白

Whispers of the past,  
Tokyo nights softly glow,  
Memories that last.



懐かしい (Natsukashii) - Nostalgia / Sentimental Longing

Natsukashii is a Japanese term used when something stirs up a pleasant memory from your past. It's a word you say with a smile. For example, hearing a song you loved as a teenager or finding an old train ticket in your pocket can evoke natsukashii. In many cultures, nostalgia is often tinged with sadness, but natsukashii, derived from the verb “natsuku,” meaning “to keep close and become fond of,” reflects joy and gratitude for the past rather than a longing to return to it. In Japan, natsukashii serves as a reminder of how fortunate you are to have had those life experiences, and the inability to relive them makes them even more meaningful.

- Artist: Ilan Derech 
- Piece: "Natsukashii | 懐かしい" 
- Year: 2024 
- Location: Tokyo (東京), Japan
- Technique: Composite Cinematography 
- Equipement: ARRI Alexa Mini

Natsukashii | 懐かしい

永遠の桜、
風に舞う花びら、
時を超えた美しさが咲く。

-

Eternal Sakura,
Petals dancing in the wind,
Timeless beauty blooms.

-

The fleeting beauty of Sakura (cherry blossom) flowers lies in their short-lived bloom, which typically lasts only a week or two. This brief period of full bloom, known as "mankai," is followed quickly by the petals falling, symbolizing the transient nature of life. This ephemeral beauty is celebrated in Japanese culture, often inspiring reflection on the impermanence and fragility of existence, making the sakura a poignant reminder to cherish the present moment.

"Everlasting Sakura" captures the fleeting beauty of the Sakura in a moment that lasts forever.

-

- Artist: Ilan Derech 
- Piece: "Everlasting Sakura | 永遠の桜" 
- Year: 2024 
- Location: Hirosaki (弘前市), Japan 
- Technique: Composite Cinematography 
- Equipement: ARRI Alexa Mini

Everlasting Sakura | 永遠の桜

羽の花  [Hane no Hana]

- 白鳥は湖を滑り、  
羽は桜と共に舞う、  
富士は静かに立つ。

- Swans glide on still lakes,  
Feathers drift with sakura,  
Fuji stands serene.

- In the stillness of a dawn so clear,  
Where cherry blossoms start to appear,  
Swans glide softly through the mist,  
Their feathers kissed by twilight's twist.

Mount Fuji stands in serene repose,  
Crowned with snow as the daylight grows,  
While sakura petals dance and drift,  
In a timeless, gentle lift.

A tranquil dance on nature’s stage,  
Where beauty flows from age to age,  
Swans and blossoms, snow and stone,  
In a world where dreams are sown.

- Artist: Ilan Derech 
- Piece: "Feather Blossoms | 羽の花" 
- Year: 2024 
- Location: Mount Fuji (富士山), Japan 
- Technique: Composite Cinematography 
- Equipement: ARRI Alexa Mini

Feather Blossoms | 羽の花

春風に吹き出し笑ふ花もがな 
harukaze ni / fukidashi warau / hana mogana 

A Spring breeze is blowing,
 I’m bursting with laughter 
wishing for flowers 

— Matsuo Basho, Spring, 1668 

-

In spring's arrival, the sakura bloom, 
Petals dance, dispelling winter's gloom. 
A girl in red kimono stands so still, 
As the wind whispers secrets, a gentle thrill. 
Beneath the cherry blossoms' fleeting grace, 
Her laughter echoes, a tender trace. 
The breeze carries dreams to skies anew, 
In this moment, pure and filled with dew. 

- 

- Artist: Ilan Derech 
- Piece: "Harukaze | 春風" 
- Year: 2024 
- Location: Hirosaki (弘前市, Japan) 
- Technique: Composite Cinematography 
- Equipement: ARRI Alexa Mini

Harukaze | 春風

In Tokyo's night, Alice dances 'neath Dawn's light, Snowfall whispers bright. - Inspired by the timeless scenes of classic cinematographers like Akira Kurosawa and Wong Kar Wai, with a neon twist from Ridley Scott, “Dawn’s Whisper” was created during a very rare snowfall that struck Tokyo by surprise. The neon signs shining bright illuminated the ethereal snowflakes that were reminiscent of bright whispers of light shimmering in the sky, turning Tokyo into a nostalgic wonderland that only happens once a year. - - Piece: "Dawn's Whisper | ドーンのささやき- Year: 2024 - Location: Tokyo (東京), Japan - Technique: Composite Cinematography - Equipement: ARRI Alexa Mini

Dawn's Whisper | ドーンのささやき

The chill in the air, crisp and clear,  
The snow-covered streets, so austere,  
The quietness broken by a passing deer,  
A moment of magic, so sincere.

The lanterns flicker, casting shadows tall,  
As the snowflakes continue to fall,  
The beauty of this moment, standing so small,  
A serendipitous memory, cherished by all.

-

By: Ilan Derech  
Edition of: 30 pieces  
Location: Kyoto, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023     

Serendipity | 素敵な偶然 #1/30

Serendipity | 素敵な偶然 #24/30

[ Serendipity | 素敵な偶然 ]

"Mushin no shin | 無心の心" is Zen expression referred to as the state of "no-mindness". 
That is, a mind not fixed or occupied by thought or emotion and thus open to everything. 
It is translated by D.T. Suzuki: "being free from mind-attachment".

-

"Mushin no shin" depicts a calm state of mind that I achieved after diverse life lessons that brought me balance and a serenity.
Through the use of grid systems each element was carefully composed in order to interplay with each other creating a sub-framing effect, this serves to guide the viewers eye by creating a visual rythm that leads into the horizon.
Film provides a high dynamic range, which I use to reveal all the intricate details that make Japanese architecture a treasure of human history that translate into visual analogy that represents the structure of a balanced and clear state of mind.

-

By: Ilan Derech
Collection: ZEN | 禅
Shot on: Leica M7 & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Film Stock: KODAK Portra 800
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Year: 2022


Mind Without Mind | 無心の心

“As if you were on fire from within.
The moon lives in the lining of your skin.”

― Pablo Neruda

-

I find parallels between fire and beauty.
Both are hypnotic and linger in our memories for quite some time.

"Eternal Beauty | 永遠の美" depicts that mysterious feeling we get when something that is so beautiful gets tattooed into the back of our minds, an image we can revisit over and over and it remains untouched, it remains eternal.

-

By: Ilan Derech
Leica SL | ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Kyoto, Japan 2022
www.ilanderech.com

Eternal Beauty | 永遠の美

ZEN - iRld3c2G1P

As the neon lights of Tokyo's bustling streets fade into the night sky, one can't help but feel a sense of timelessness in the air. The city's ancient temples stand tall amidst skyscrapers, a testament to the enduring history that lies within its borders.

The hustle and bustle of the city's frenetic pace never seems to slow, as people from all walks of life come together in a melting pot of cultures and traditions. From the artisanal crafts of the Asakusa neighborhood to the cutting-edge technology, Tokyo truly has something for everyone.

But amidst the chaos and noise of the city, there is a sense of peace and harmony that pervades. It is as if the city has a life of its own, a pulse that beats to the rhythm of the past, present, and future all at once.

As the dawn breaks and a new day begins, Tokyo continues to mesmerize and captivate, a city that is truly timeless in all its splendor.

-


By: Ilan Derech
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Shot on: Leica SL & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Year: 2022

Eternal Tokyo

The neon lights are dimming down,
A hush falls over Tokyo town,
The streets once bustling, now are still,
As lockdown measures take their fill.

The cherry blossoms bloom and fade,
As people stay inside, afraid,
But hope still lingers in the air,
As we all do our part to care.

Though we may be apart for now,
Our love and strength will show us how,
To come together once again,
And make Tokyo thrive again.

By: Ilan Derech
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Shot on: Leica SL & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Year: 2021

Isolation | 孤立

Serendipity - 6b122eR3r8

一期一会 translates to "One time, one meeting"; but in Japanese ZEN Buddhism it's interpreted as "For this time only".  
 
This refers to the practice of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment.  
By achieving this practice, the moment remains sealed in our memories since not the future nor the past can change it.

I use reflections to create a juxtaposition that blends two worlds recontextualizing the entire scene.  
The lights on both sides of the glass create a grid that frames the subject in a world where she appears to be surrounded by others; but thanks to the strong contrast in color temperature between her and the remaining elements there’s a hint about an explicit separation, suggesting an introspective journey.

By: Ilan Derech Collection: Dreaming Tokyo  
Shot on: Leica SL & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35  
Location: Toyko, Japan Year: 2021 
www.ilanderech.com

Ichi-go Ichi-e | 一期一会 #19/21

一期一会 translates to "One time, one meeting"; but in Japanese ZEN Buddhism it's interpreted as "For this time only".

This refers to the practice of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment.
By achieving this practice, the moment remains sealed in our memories since not the future nor the past can change it.

I use reflections to create a juxtaposition that blends two worlds recontextualizing the entire scene.
The lights on both sides of the glass create a grid that frames the subject in a world where she appears to be surrounded by others; but thanks to the strong contrast in color temperature between her and the remaining elements there’s a hint about an explicit separation, suggesting an introspective journey.

By: Ilan Derech Collection: Dreaming Tokyo
Shot on: Leica SL & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Location: Toyko, Japan Year: 2021 
https://www.ilanderech.com

Ichi-go Ichi-e | 一期一会 #13/21

Ichi-go Ichi-e | Ilan Derech editions

Sometimes life becomes better with a hint of surrealism, and it's only until we embrace our true selves that we can be free.

Making of: As I was traveling around Asia, I got stuck in Tokyo for nine months during the lockdown. This gave me the opportunity to explore the city during this unique historical moment.

By: Ilan Derech
📸 Leica M7 | ZEISS ZM 1.4/35 | Cinestill 800T | Contax Flash
📍 Shibuya, Tokyo 2021
🖼 https://www.dreamingtokyo.com
Shot during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Creatures of Shibuya | 渋谷の生き物

In Kabukicho, the neon lights
Are dimmed by the rain at night
The streets are slick, the air is cool
As drops fall gently, like a pool

The city's noise is hushed and low
As people hurry, to and fro
But in the rain, there's peace to find
As nature's music soothes the mind

The colors blur, the world transforms
As raindrops dance in rhythmic forms
And though the night is dark and wet
There's beauty in each silhouette

So if you find yourself in Kabukicho
On a rainy night, don't let it go
Embrace the calm, embrace the rain
And let it wash away your pain.

By: Ilan Derech
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Shot on: Leica M7 & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Year: 2022

Night Rain | 夜雨

Whole Grain

She had left him at the train station a year ago, he had to return back home, she had to continue with her life.

He only left to get everything in order to move back with her, to say goodbye to all his family, friends, and that country that gave him so many memories...

Now he's on his way back to her, and she's lost in a sea of thoughts. 
She's replaying in her head every minute they were together, waiting to arrive to the station where they parted ways during that wold winter night.

-

“The moon will guide you through the night with her brightness, but she will always dwell in the darkness, in order to be seen.”

― Shannon L. Alder

-

By: Ilan Derech
Collection: Dreaming Tokyo 
Shot on: Leica SL & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Location: Toyko, Japan
Year: 2021

Lost on you | 君に彷徨う

We are all born with the flame of life, but it's up to us to nurture it, feed it and make it grow so we can share our warmth with others and make our flames burn brighter and stronger together.

By: Ilan Derech
📸 Leica SL | ZEISS ZM 1.4/35 
📍 Tōdai-ji, Nara 2021
🖼 https://www.dreamingtokyo.com
Shot during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Keep Bringing the Fire | 炎を起こす

Dreaming Tokyo

Haiku | 俳句

Great gate stands silent,
Mortal and sacred part ways,
Whispers of the divine.

-

Amidst winter's chill,
Great gate guards realms apart,
Mortal and sacred in icy embrace.
Snowflakes dance, a silent ballet,
Whispers of spirits linger,
As frost-kissed air reveals the sacred way.

-

- Ilan Derech
- "Daimon | 冬の愛"
- Year: 2024
- Aomori (青森市), Japan
- Composite Cinematography
- Leica Q2

Daimon | 大門

SuperRare

The contrast of those red lips on such a young child that timless green train that was leaving from the Madalay station crossing the country to Yangon, there are images that linger in my memory forever... this is one of them.

📸 Leica SL & ZEISS 1.4/35
📍Mandalayi, Myanmar 2021 

Green | အစိမ်းရောင်

Walking around at night, you never know what you might find under the red lights.

📸 Leica SL & ZEISS 1.4/35
📍 Shinjuku, Tokyo 2021
Shot during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

RED | 赤

Foundation

In Shibuya's midnight neon glare,  
The city's heartbeat fills the air,  
Billboards flashing, colors bright,  
A symphony of electric light.

Raindrops dance upon the street,  
A rhythmic sound, a steady beat,  
Pedestrians rush through the night,  
Lost in the city's frenzied sight.

Amidst the chaos, I stand still,  
In awe of the urban thrill,  
The energy pulsing all around,  
A magic in this concrete town.

So I'll soak it in, this neon scene,  
In Shibuya's midnight dream.

By: Ilan Derech  
Collaboration Drop: PROOF Collective  
Location: Kyoto, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023

TOKYO'S MIDNIGHT | 東京の真夜中 #133/133

[ TOKYO'S MIDNIGHT | 東京の真夜中 ] is a visual love letter to that place that made me fall in love with Tokyo, and also to the community that made me grow as an artist in web3, Moonbirds.

This very place full of energy, overwhelmingly tall buildings, oceans of people, and billborads that light up the streets creating an unforgettable neon night memory that gets imprinted in anyone’s soul that has had the privilege to experience it, and those who haven’t, have probably seen similar references in movie, tv shows, or books...

By making use of cinematography, and a triptych layout, I create three different points of view of the same moment happening at the same time, this is done with the goal of triggering a sense of immersion by the viewer who ends up imagining the rest of the story.

EDITION DROP By: Ilan Derech
Collaboration With: PROOF Collective
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Shot on: Leica Q2 Year: 2023

TOKYO'S MIDNIGHT | 東京の真夜中 #121/133

Tokyo's Midnight | 東京の真夜中

The wind howls loud, the snow falls deep,  
As Kyoto shivers in its wintry sleep,  
A blizzard rages through the night,  
Painting the city in a sea of white.

The streets are silent, the lights are dim,  
As snowflakes dance in an icy hymn,  
The world outside is a winter wonder,  
But inside, hearts beat with a gentle thunder.

Through the blizzard's cold and biting sting,  
Kyoto's beauty remains an eternal thing,  
For even in the darkest winter night,  
Her spirit shines with a warm and brilliant light.

-

By: Ilan Derech  
Collaboration Drop: PROOF Collective  
Location: Kyoto, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023

[ KYOTO'S ETERNAL WINTER | 京都の永遠の冬 ] #12/69

[ KYOTO'S ETERNAL WINTER | 京都の永遠の冬 ] #29/69

[ Kyoto's Eternal Winter | 京都の永遠の冬 ]

"Satori | 「悟り」" is a Japanese Buddhist term for awakening, "comprehension; understanding".

By extracting the color information from Ilan Derech's photography, "Satori | 「悟り」" generates a nonfigurative, abstract particle field system with over 30 million points, these translate different attributes pulled from the base piece (photograph), and assigns those values to the variables of the particle system in order to simulate physical properties, and therefore create a unique soothing motion.

"Satori | 「悟り」" is an experimental project that draws inspiration from the natural flow of Japanese rivers, impressionist aesthetics, and recent digital media explorations.

As the title mentions, this is an awakening, a leap from a traditional medium to an endless flow of pure gesture bridging technology and nature.

-

By: Ilan Derech
Collection: Satori | 悟り- ETH
Medium: Procedural Design
Year: 2023

Satori | 悟り - 一

Satori | 悟り

BURN #42/133

Cherry blossoms in the air,
A gentle touch of spring we share,
Japan's beauty, vibrant and fair.

Grateful hearts, filled with delight,
In art's embrace, our souls take flight,
Amidst Sakura's bloom, a wondrous sight.

In this season of renewal and grace,
Nature's masterpiece we embrace,
Spring adorned with cherry's embrace.

By: Ilan Derech
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Shot on: Leica M7 & ZEISS Planar 2/50
Film: KODAK Portra 400
Year: 2023

Whispers in the snow, a gentle sound,  
As silent snowflakes fall to the ground.  
Kyoto's beauty, now soft and still,  
A tranquil scene, a winter's chill.

In peaceful moments, whispers heard,  
As snowflakes dance without a word.  
The hush of night, a winter's glow,  
In Kyoto's land, a tranquil show.

Whispers in the snow, a serene sight,  
A moment of calm, a winter's delight.  
In Kyoto's land, a peaceful sound,  
As snowflakes gently fall to the ground.

By: Ilan Derech 
Total Editions: 133 
Collaboration with: Premint  
Location: Kyoto, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023

Whispers in the Snow | 雪のささやき #1/133

Breath of Spring - Derech

Whispers in the Snow | 雪のささやき #96/133

Whispers in the snow, a gentle sound,
As silent snowflakes fall to the ground.
Kyoto's beauty, now soft and still,
A tranquil scene, a winter's chill.

In peaceful moments, whispers heard,
As snowflakes dance without a word.
The hush of night, a winter's glow,
In Kyoto's land, a tranquil show.

Whispers in the snow, a serene sight,
A moment of calm, a winter's delight.
In Kyoto's land, a peaceful sound,
As snowflakes gently fall to the ground.

By: Ilan Derech Total Editions: 133 
Collaboration with: Premint
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Shot on: Leica Q2
Year: 2023

Whispers in the Snow | 雪のささやき #116/133

Whispers in the Snow | 雪のささやき

A registry of a moment that many of us have been waiting for a long time, 42069 is more than a number, it's a symbol, it's a meme, it's OUR meme...

Yes, this screenshot took one second to make but three years of waiting for it to appear.

In the realm of memes and crypto lore,  
42069, a number to adore.  
Bitcoin's dance, a volatile trance,  
In digital realms, where memes enhance.

Satoshis and jokes, hand in hand,  
In the crypto kingdom, where dreams expand.  
Memes and laughter, a virtual scene,  
42069, forever meme queen.

Derech  
Screenshot of kucoin.com  
498 x 83 px  
Created in Dec 4th 2023  
Token Standard: ERC-721  
Blockchain: Ethereum

WE'RE FUCKING BACK 42069

Neon rain falls softly in the night,  
A symphony of color, an electric light,  
Tokyo's streets alive with vibrant hues,  
A dazzling display, impossible to refuse.

The rhythm of the city, a pulsing beat,  
As neon signs and streetlights compete,  
A symphony of sound, a dazzling array,  
Tokyo at night, an unforgettable display.

Amidst the rain, a symphony of light,  
A feast for the senses, a mesmerizing sight,  
Tokyo at night, a neon wonderland,  
A symphony of beauty, forever grand.

By: Ilan Derech  
Collaboration with: FIF - Cannes Film Festival  
Location: Tokyo, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023

Neon Symphony | ネオンシンフォニー

Derech Collaborations

Haiku | 俳句:

Tokyo train's embrace,  
Lost in fading memories,  
Love echoes through time.  
-  
東京の電車  
薄れゆく思い出  
愛響く

By: Ilan Derech 
Total Editions: 82  
Location: Tokyo, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023

Fading Memories | 薄れゆく思い出 #7/85

When was the last time that you stood under the rain and felt the gentle touch of a raindrop crashing against your skin?

When was the last time that you stopped for a few seconds to just look at life pass and take it all in?

The beauty of life relies on those small things that we can easily forget to see due to the fast pace of life, and that’s why my art was born, to give you a space to stop, breathe, and enjoy the fleeting gesture of life in a state of perpetual meditation through the soothing spirit of the Japanese daily life with a cinematic touch...

Fading Memories | 薄れゆく思い出 #78/86

Fading Memories - Editions

Crimson rain cascades,  
Tokyo's neon veiled in smoke,  
Night's whispered beauty.

By: Ilan Derech Total Editions: 69  
Location: Tokyo, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023

CRIMSON RAIN | 深紅の雨 #64/69

CRIMSON RAIN | 深紅の雨 #23/69

Crimson Rain - EDITIONS

Haiku | 俳句:

Whispers in the rain,  
Tokyo's girl finds solace, calm,  
Night's gentle embrace.

By: Ilan Derech 
Total Editions: 80 
Location: Tokyo, Japan 
Shot on: Leica Q2 
Year: 2023  


[ Whispers in the Rain | 雨の中のささやき ] #70/81

[ Whispers in the Rain | 雨の中のささやき ] #79/81

[ Whispers in the Rain | 雨の中のささやき ]

“Buddha said, “Forgive? But I am not the same man to whom you did it. The Ganges goes on flowing, it is never the same Ganges again. Every man is a river. The man you spit upon is no longer here. I look just like him, but I am not the same, much has happened in these twenty-four hours! The river has flowed so much. So I cannot forgive you because I have no grudge against you.”

- Gautama Buddha

-

I've always been amazed by the concept of timelessness, and how, and where to capture it.
Timeless places transport us into past worlds that run parallel to ours, they feel like they were just extracted from our timeline and were suspended in an endless cycle where they obey their own rules.
Varanasi is one of them, a place so holy that it almost feels like you're living in the middle of a myth.

-

Making-of: I left my hostel very early in the morning, it might have been around 4 am. I headed down to the river banks to see what I could find there, to my surprise there were people from all over India already getting started with the morning rituals, so I began to study what they were doing.
After a while I began to get closer to them, being as stealthy and respectful as possible, but most of the best shots had to be very close, so I decided to push the limits and get as close to them as I could when suddenly one of them caught me, and between in sign language and broken English he told me that if I wanted to shoot their rituals I had to be inside the holy river, so I did as told and the water went up to my chest, the feeling of acceptance was immediately noticeable, and I was free to do what I pleased, so as I was walking, I noticed an old lady praying and tossing holy water at herself, I needed to get that shot.
I silently stood behind her and waited for the right moment where everything came together, and suddenly pressed the shutter...

-

By: Ilan Derech
Collection: Ilan Derech 1/1
Shot on: Leica SL & ZEISS ZM 1.4/35
Location: Varanasi, India
Year: 2021
www.ilanderech.com

Holy | पवित्र

Life is made out of 1/1's, those fleeting moments where everything comes together to create the perfect shot, so I decided to create this collection made out of exclusively 1/1 pieces that stand by themselves.

Ilan Derech 1/1

Tokyo's night conceals,
Fallen angel's graceful flight,
Lost in city's heart.

-

- By: Ilan Derech
- Collaboration with: Punk 6529 x Artpoint x NFT Factory Paris
- Exhibited at: NFT Factory, 137 rue Saint-Martin - Paris
- Shooting Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Shot on: Leica Q2
- Year: 2023

Fallen Angel | 堕天使

Haiku | 俳句:  
Midnight's embrace falls, 
Tokyo's neon dreams ignite, 
City whispers breathe.

-

By: Ilan Derech  
Burn Redeem: 4 x Fallen Angel | 堕天使  
Location: Tokyo, Japan  
Shot on: Leica Q2  
Year: 2023 

Midnight Muse | 深夜の詩想

This space has been my home for over two years now. I arrived here as a nobody, and little by little, I met the most amazing people who believe in me and my art. "Midnight Muse | 深夜の詩想" is my way of saying thank you for being a part of this journey. It is a piece inspired by my biggest muse, Japan, and also a tribute to my father who is hopefully watching all this journey from up above.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being in this journey with me, and for believing in my art. 🙏🏽

Haiku | 俳句:
Midnight's embrace falls, Tokyo's neon dreams ignite, City whispers breathe.

By: Ilan Derech
Burn Redeem: 4 x Fallen Angel | 堕天使
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Shot on: Leica Q2
Year: 2023

Amidst the waves on a Japanese shore,  
Sunset's embrace, tranquil and pure.  
The sky painted hues of orange and red,  
As the day's last light softly spread.

In stillness, we find the way of zen,  
Beneath the sun's descent, again and again.  
Nature's rhythm, the ocean's gentle sigh,  
In this serene moment, we learn to fly.

Meditation in the sand, our hearts align,  
With each passing wave, a whispered sign.  
The sun bows low, a masterful guide,  
In the silence of dusk, our spirits glide.

As the stars awaken, and night takes hold,  
We cherish this moment, more precious than gold.  
On a Japanese beach, in sunset's warm embrace,  
We find peace and serenity, a timeless grace.

-

Ilan Derech  
The Way of Zen | 禅へのいざない-  
Shimoda, Japan  
Composite Cinematography  
Duration: 22 seconds  
2160 x 3840 px  
Created in 2023  
Edition Supply: 85/85  
Token Standard: ERC-721  
Blockchain: Ethereum

The Way of Zen | 禅へのいざない- #79/85

Amidst the waves on a Japanese shore, Sunset's embrace, tranquil and pure. The sky painted hues of orange and red, As the day's last light softly spread.

In stillness, we find the way of zen, Beneath the sun's descent, again and again. Nature's rhythm, the ocean's gentle sigh, In this serene moment, we learn to fly.

Meditation in the sand, our hearts align, With each passing wave, a whispered sign. The sun bows low, a masterful guide, In the silence of dusk, our spirits glide.

As the stars awaken, and night takes hold, We cherish this moment, more precious than gold. On a Japanese beach, in sunset's warm embrace, We find peace and serenity, a timeless grace.

The Way of Zen | 禅へのいざない- #33/85

The Way of Zen | 禅へのいざない-

"I like the romanticism of 'imperfection.'"  
- Gerhard Richter

"Satori | 「悟り」" is a series that explores the intersection between the organic motion found in nature and the infinite possibilities of algorithmic design.

The winds blow...

The flame burns...

The rivers flow...

Remember the mesmerizing motion created by the breeze as it hits the tips of the tall grass fields?

As a child, I used to travel outside of the city quite often. I'd discover a peaceful spot in the hills, sit down, and spend the day getting lost in the soothing motion of nature, which always left my mind at ease. This memory became deeply ingrained in me, and it is through my art that I aim to bring those cherished moments from my childhood to life. My hope is that anyone who views these pieces can also feel that same meditative state of peace and tranquility that I experienced as a child.

Derech  
Procedural Design  
Duration: 28 seconds  
3840 x 2160 px  
Created in 2023  
Token Standard: ERC-721  
Blockchain: Ethereum

Richter's Visions

"Satori | 「悟り」" is a series that explores the intersection between the organic motion found in nature and the infinite possibilities of algorithmic design.

In the garden of dreams, where moonbeams gently play,  
A girl named Alice, in Dawn's embrace, finds her way.  
Dawning Wonderland, a realm of whispers and light,  
Awakens within her, a magical flight.

Through the Looking Glass, reflections unfold,  
Alice's heart, a story waiting to be told.  
In the soft hues of morning, a palette reborn,  
A symphony of colors, where dreams are adorned.

A Cheshire grin, the dawn's mystic waltz,  
Alice dances with wonder, as the morning exalts.  
Enchanted whispers weave tales untold,  
In the embrace of dawn, her secrets unfold.

Ephemeral shadows, like whispers in the air,  
Alice's awakening, a canvas so rare.  
Through realms of fantasy, she gracefully glides,  
In the tapestry of dawn, where imagination resides.

Astral realms beckon, as the sun begins to rise,  
Alice's journey unfolds, a kaleidoscope of skies.  
In Wonderland's embrace, where dreams take flight,  
She discovers her magic in the soft morning light.

So here's to Alice, in Wonderland's dawn,  
A symphony of wonder, a canvas reborn.  
In the awakening light, where dreams take flight,  
Dawning Wonderland, a magical sight.

-

"Satori | 「悟り」" is a series that explores the intersection between the organic motion found in nature and the infinite possibilities of algorithmic design.

The winds blow...

The flame burns...

The rivers flow...

Remember the mesmerizing motion created by the breeze as it hits the tips of the tall grass fields?

As a child, I used to travel outside of the city quite often. I'd discover a peaceful spot in the hills, sit down, and spend the day getting lost in the soothing motion of nature, which always left my mind at ease. This memory became deeply ingrained in me, and it is through my art that I aim to bring those cherished moments from my childhood to life. My hope is that anyone who views these pieces can also feel that same meditative state of peace and tranquility that I experienced as a child.

Dawning Wonderland: Alice's Awakening  
Derech  
Procedural Design  
3840 x 2160 px  
Created in 2023  
Token Standard: ERC-721  
Blockchain: Ethereum

Dawning Wonderland: Alice's Awakening

Inspired by the classic cinematography of Akira Kurosawa, " Winter’s Silence" captures the timeless beauty of Japan.  
“Winter’s Silence“ isolates the soothing motion of falling snow through a visual “silence” created by minimalistic compositions, a monochromatic palette, and a slowed-down pace of time.  
The monochrome palette represents Mu which translates as emptiness / nothingness.  
This is a concept that I constantly explore in my work, during my travels getting lost in new places searching for serendipitous moments that speak for themselves without the need for words.

--------------------

Derech  
Winter’s Silence  
Hirosaki, Japan, 2024  
Composite Cinematography  
Duration: 17 seconds  
2160 x 3840 px  
Token Standard: ERC-721  
Blockchain: Ethereum

Winter’s Silence #83/88

Inspired by the classic cinematography of Akira Kurosawa, " Winter’s Silence" captures the timeless beauty of Japan.

“Winter’s Silence“ isolates the soothing motion of falling snow through a visual “silence” created by minimalistic compositions, a monochromatic palette, and a slowed-down pace of time.

The monochrome palette represents Mu which translates as emptiness / nothingness.

This is a concept that I constantly explore in my work, during my travels getting lost in new places searching for serendipitous moments that speak for themselves without the need for words.

Winter’s Silence #43/88

Winter’s Silence | 冬の静寂

DESCRIPTION //

As a way to support our beloved Natalie Stone, who was affected  
by the LA fire in January 2025, the entire "Derech Family"            
(Ilan Derech, Youjee, and all of his collectors) will donate  
all proceeds from this drop to help her rebuild her home.

Punks support punks!                                                  


DETAILS //

Piece: Mount Fuji’s Grace | 富士山の優美

Edition number: Open Edition

Year: 2025

Location: Mount Fuji (富士山), Japan

Technique: Still Photography

Token Standard: ERC-1155

Equipment: Leica Q2

Blockchain: Ethereum 

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