> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.protein.xyz/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Pixelated Realities - URL: https://www.protein.xyz/pixelated-realities/ - Published: 2011-06-07T13:38:07.000Z - Updated: 2025-05-28T11:03:36.000Z - Description: Texan artist Shawn Smith's fascination with 8-bit images and old… - Author: Protein - Tags: Seeds, Art & Design, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:15, #author-change-2025-05-28 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/4617/33fbffa7-b2cf-4398-90cd-fe0def613f8b.jpg) Texan artist [Shawn Smith's](http://shawnsmithart.com/?ref=protein.xyz) fascination with 8-bit images and old school video gaming has led him to create a series of sculptures in homage to the square little things. The sculptures are made using tiny wooden blocks that transform animals into 3D digital retro-looking pieces of stand-alone art. It’s the artists’ look at the sometimes blurry line between the digital world and reality; an array of animals appear to hang between the two and you’ll find yourself looking twice to make sure you haven’t landed right there with them. Check out the full collection [here](http://shawnsmithart.com/images.htm?ref=protein.xyz). The digital world is a huge source of inspiration to us, and for many artists who - brought up on all our favourite classic childhood video games like Tetris and Pacman - are integrating this into creative outputs. New York-based collective [8bitpeoples](http://www.8bitpeoples.com/?ref=protein.xyz) are a DIY arts and music label also driven by a nostalgia for the 8 bit aesthetic. Amongst their 8 bit inspired projects they host live shows to bring people together to celebrate it - you can keep track of their pop-up shows on 8bitpeople website by clicking [here](http://www.8bitpeoples.com/live%5Fshows?ref=protein.xyz).