A Conversation with Artist Simon Stålenhag - Audio Episode 08

This special podcast episode is an in-depth conversation with award-winning Swedish artist and storyteller Simon Stålenhag. Simon is the creator of narrative art books like Tales From the Loop, Things From the Flood, and The Electric State. We discuss what it’s like for a small artist to be courted by the Hollywood machine. We dig into the meaning and messages in dystopian science fiction. And we talk about the negative implications of AI art generators.

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All multimedia clips included in this podcast constitute a ‘fair use’ of any copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of U.S. Copyright law, which allows for criticism, comment and scholarship. Learn more about fair use via New Media Rights!

Show credits:
Audio production: Jonathan McIntosh
Intro music: Simon Stålenhag
Outro music: Rick Lopez

[veronica.gimenez]

An unstoppable force meets an immovable object 🙏 I've been a fan of you both for years, this interview is such a dream come true!!

[MarcelE]

I love Simon's art and how he can capture colors and light the way your eyes perceives it, and not just like a photograph.

[StefanBorglducky]

I appreciate the transparent and enlightening conversation.... For a creative, the scale of interaction and judgement upon one's work while the "rising in the ranks" finally happens, it's such an intimidating SUCK from the outside to know how to handle it

[bharat]

Simon's work is an inspiration! Thanks for sharing

[Andrealuscky]

I come over because I love Simon´s work and I stayed for the quality of the interview, the questions, the answers the thought regarding contemporary society and the discusssion around the AI. Marvellous to listen it, very inspiring

[maiilustra]

OMG! I'm so glad I found this channel, Simon's works and the Tales from the Loop RPG are the inspiration for my college work now. I do have a lot to work when it comes to ambience and storytelling that he knows how to do it like a grand master

[Xenomurphy]

Many thanks for this extremely interesting interview., it should have been twice as long. It's great that we got an update on Simon's book 'Europa Mechano' and it's amazing that we can look forward to two books now.

[jackwilliamson]

Great interview, really, this is great stuff. You just don't hear this kind of authentic content in interviews and he's really a talented artist who hasn't compromised yet so it's an interesting time in his life and you've been able to catch him at this inflection point so yeah good job congratulations, this was a special treat for everyone.

[MattAngiono]

Fascinating!
Would love to see a deep dive video version discussing specific pieces!
This is only scratching the surface with this amazing art

[Scorponox]

It's so nice to have integrity
I'll tell you why:
if you really have integrity, it means your price is very high.
So remember when you start to preach
and moralize.
that we all are in the game and, brother, it's name is compromise!

[Valdevia]

Fantastic chat! Thanks for putting this together!

[annymus]

Interesting Interview, thank you for sharing, l'm really inspired by Simon's style ✌

[alinah.]

I just recently discovered the artwork of Simon Stålenhag, and instantly fell in love - his works are incredibly inspiring, they have this unique feeling of peaceful coexistence, of acceptance and embracing of reality. I guess this is exactly what attracted me. I love dystopia, I'm in awe of all those horrifying massages that the planet is going to hell, but Simon's works just feel more... real to me, more hopeful and humanistic, and thus, more attractive.

[THExRISER]

Well this is a surprise, I fell in love with Electric State when I read a couple years ago, I love Simon's art!

[dr__pop__dr]

Hearing you in 2025 talk in about these topics in 2022, especially the ascent of AI-generated art, sounds like a window into a different era. How quickly the world is changing...

[strong]

I'd love to see you speak to In/Frame/Out on a podcast episode. You're two of the best film and TV discussion channels on YouTube.

[bpdlr]

I don't know how many people who engage with post-apocalyptic media see it as a utopia, I think a lot of people just see it as inevitable given the trajectory of modern politics.

[armouros]

just watched the netflix movie .... Simon was right it is very different from the art.

[DameBeagle]

I've seen some of Simon's art some months ago, hadn't realised it was taking off so well! Definitely made an impression, like sid Meade or john harris... simon's reminds me of the game "inside", some similar thoughts and feelings maybe?

[empatheticrambo]

Powerful social commentary and sci-fi are like peanut butter and chocolate