“Step into the DONDADAVERSE” with “Don Dada.” Augmented Reality (AR) artist Bonito Thompson, or “Don Dada,” is one of the Jamaican creatives making waves in Yaad and abroad. Following his presentation at the 9th Annual Vibes 305 Basel Art Show in Miami, Florida; Don Dada will be bringing his digital art showcase home to Jamaica. The AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston will be brought to life on December 16 and 17 with “artistic depth and a real-world explosion of visuals,” as per Don Dada’s description of his art. Dubbed “Mango” because of the fruit’s vivid hues and its appearance in all the artwork that will be displayed, the Digital Art Experience Show encourages the forward-thinking and interaction of art lovers, businesses, and their audiences and promises an authentic experience of digital art unlike any other.
For two days, like magic, patrons will be able to dive into another reality that can’t be seen with the naked eye but can be seen through the camera of their smartphone, where they will experience another world, a digital illusion created by Don Dada consisting of a burst of Jamaican culture. Rest assured, brand Jamaica is heavily involved with this experience as iPrint, Wray & Nephew, and Victoria Mutual Building Society are sponsors of the Digital Art Show.
Not shy about the big stages or brands, Don Dada has worked with names such as Damian Marley, Common, and Kabaka Pyramid, and alongside brands such as Audi, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Red Stripe, Supreme Ventures, and Taste Jamaica. All collaborations are testaments to his work.
In 2018, he debuted a presentation titled “Passion Fruit,” in which he used art to investigate the abstract study of the human body. In 2021, he staged “Paper Planes,” which offered Jamaican dancehall music a visual language. From then until now, it has been Don Dada’s narrative that augmented reality can be used by both corporate and cultural brands to spread their ideas to different target audiences. Don Dada will offer NFTs, a one-of-a-kind blockchain-based digital artefact, through this medium and others.NFTs have become quite popular in mainstream art and are being used in many industries.
The “DONDAVERSE” awaits. Come find a world beyond the scope of human eyes with Don Dada this weekend.
