Wizards of Digital Craft

Since they began working together in 1998, Warren du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones have produced a slew of unforgettable photo stories, installations and videos with some of the world’s most respected and innovative creatives, from Björk to Alexander McQueen to James Lavelle, whose latest UNKLE promo, directed by the duo, premieres today on NOWNESS. What characterizes all their work is a psychedelic urge, manifest in manipulations of light and shadow and astute use of digital technology. But at core they also have a more traditional sense of craftsmanship—projects often take in the region of two years from commission to completion, simply because their often poetic ideas need breathing space. “There’s an experimental aspect to our work, which finds its own voice in time,” says Du Preez. “Especially in this day and age, it’s really important to have discernment, and some form of handwriting and point of view.”