In Conversation With: Olya Titova, ARtist Agent
NExt Management
Inside the World of Digital Art — “all art is an illusion”
Once considered a fringe practice, digital art has surged from the periphery of culture into the epicentre of the creative conversation. No longer confined to screens or underground communities, it has redefined how we see, share, and collect visual expression. From surrealist collages to immersive virtual landscapes, a new generation of artists is not just creating images but building entire worlds, illusions that speak directly to the twenty-first century imagination.
The tipping point came in March 2021, when Christie’s sold Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days for $69 million, an unprecedented moment that crystallised digital art as a serious force within the global art market. Suddenly, collectors, galleries, and cultural institutions were forced to reckon with what many early adopters already knew: digital art was not a passing trend, but the next great movement in contemporary culture. Since then, artists like Keith Lissner, Pak, Refik Anadol, Luca Mainini and Krista Kim, have joined a canon that continues to grow, blurring the line between technology, art, and fashion.
A Fashion Legacy
As with every cultural shift, there are vanguards at the heart of this movement. In fashion, one of those pioneers is NEXT Management. Known globally for shaping the careers of supermodels and entertainers, NEXT was among the first agencies to expand its roster to include digital artists, signalling the industry’s recognition that these creators are as vital to shaping culture as models, designers, and photographers.
Spearheaded by Artist Division Director Gina Duckworth, and driven by Artist Agent Olya Titova, this bold move embedded digital art directly into the fabric of fashion, publishing, and media. It created a platform for talents like Keith Lissner and Luca Mainini, whose work is at once visually daring and conceptually rich, seamlessly merging art, technology, and style.
Founded by Faith Kates and Joel Wilkenfeld, NEXT has long been a tastemaker, discovering and cultivating the most recognizable names in fashion. But beyond supermodels and celebrities, its influence extends to the creatives who redefine what the future of fashion looks like. In 2009, NEXT was the first to launch a dedicated digital influencer division, and today, it continues to bridge art, talent, and brands with authenticity and innovation.
Surreal Dreams: The Road to Luxury, Luca Mainini
The Emergence of Digital Art
From the early days of digital collage and internet-native subcultures to the high-stakes sales at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, digital art has become more than a medium: it is a cultural movement. It thrives on duality, illusion and reality, the tangible and the virtual, and mirrors the way we consume culture today. In this Fluxx feature, we step inside this shifting landscape with Keith Lissner and Luca Mainini, two artists at the forefront of fashion’s digital turn, to explore how their visions continue to shape the future of visual culture.
In Conversation With: Olya Titova, Artist Agent
Please introduce yourself and your role at Next Management
I am an Artist Agent at NEXT Management New York, where I work within our Artist Division, a specialised part of the renowned modelling agency NEXT Models. We represent an exceptional roster of talented digital artists as well as “glam team” -hair stylists, makeup artists, fashion and still-life stylists, red-carpet tailors, and set designers. Client work across editorial includes Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, L’Officiel, In Style, POP, I-D, Another and W. I’ve been fortunate to work with leading fashion brands and companies including Dsquared, Crayons, Diane von Furstenberg, Elizabeth Arden, Ked’s, Clinique, Nina Ricci, Samsung, Tod’s, Cartier, Loewe, Shop Bop, Christian Dior and the late Giorgio Armani. And cultural institutions and lifestyle brands including: The Guggenheim, The Florida Opera House, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and many others. When I see these names, it truly shows how diverse and immersed new creative worlds have now become.
How is the digital art world changing, including with the advance of AI? Do you see more brands using digital artists going forward?
The digital world has been evolving for the past three decades, from the transition from 35mm film to digital, and now to the rise of AI. It’s important to remember that visuals are created to meet the needs of brands and support their representation and advertising. Digital techniques such as stop motion, animation, and CGI have been immensely popular for some time, and now we’re seeing the expansion of artists using the latest AI programs. With these constant shifts, artists, brands, and agents all need to stay at the forefront of innovation. I believe AI can be a powerful tool for artistic expression when used thoughtfully, skilfully and respectfully.
What digital art has really inspired you to see the world differently?
Work of our digital artist Keith Lissner has inspired me, and over 2 million viewers, with his ‘Day in the Museum’ videos. His creativity, vision, and sense of humour are truly remarkable. Many comments on his work share that after watching his visual stories, kids now want to visit museums and libraries, which is incredible to see. Also, I’ve always been fascinated by collage animation, and it’s amazing how simple pieces can come to life to tell a story. As a collage artist myself, I’m thrilled to be part of this vibrant artistic community and to represent such exceptional talent.
Fashion Throughout Time, Keith Lissner
Can you tell us about a life-changing travel or adventure experience?
I’d like to mention a group I’ve interviewed before, teamLab, known for their Borderless visual installations that completely transform a space. The experience was truly unique, immersive, and deeply inspiring. When it comes to travel, Japan has always been a favourite destination for me. Its minimalist aesthetics and rich culture make every visit an adventure. Also, New York Art Fairs are always inspirational – Frieze, Art on Paper, Armory and Affordable Art Fair.
What restaurants or cafes should our readers visit in NYC?
My favourite spots in New York are rooftops with incredible views and places by the water. In summer, I love the waterfront, especially the Frying Pan on Hudson River, a former fishing boat turned café/bar with the most beautiful sunset views. I’ve even celebrated birthdays there. For breathtaking views, I recommend Manhattan on the 60th floor in the Financial District or Nubeluz for city-wide views, day and night -and for something cozy, Casa Mono on Irving Place with its open kitchen is a favourite. If you want to see famous skyline of Downtown Manhattan, then simply cross the East River taking a quick Ferry boat to Dumbo or Red Hook in Brooklyn.
And a few NYC cocktail bars our readers should visit?
Bars in New York are its own culture – The Monkey Bar, The Mulberry, The Nines are good examples of New York night life places.
And finally, what are your top design and art recommendations for our readers?
For cultural inspiration, I love Maison10 with its unique concept of 10 artists, 10 categories, 10 brands, and 10 weeks, it’s always interesting and fun. As a former Condé Nast producer, magazines hold a special place in my heart, and Library 180 feels like a true magazine nirvana. I also love visiting The Shed at Hudson Yards, Mercer Labs downtown, and of course the classics, MoMA, the Guggenheim, and The Met. And when it comes to galleries, I always enjoy exploring the vibrant blocks of West Chelsea.
MOMA, New York