The Digital Curator: Kadeem Fletcher

It’s safe to say that now, more than ever, we are truly submerged in a digital age. The Internet today is a sea of feeds full of information, ideas, and images, and everyone has an opportunity to state their opinion, show their art, and push their craft. Follow too much, and you’ll quickly find yourself cluttered with quantity sans quality. That’s where the service of Digital Madrid comes in, a pristinely curated online gallery created by the Trinidad-born, Kadeem Fletcher. He has a keen eye for visual talent, and his mission is to separate the noise and static of the Internet, and bring attention to new artists that deserve more focus. No matter the artistic medium, Fletcher goes with innate instinct and he isn’t afraid to dig deep and feature art that’s outside the norm whether it’s photography, illustration, or 3-D. We recently caught up with him at our O.N.S Soho flagship to learn more about his digital platform and future endeavors.

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you first got involved in media and the arts?

I was born and raised in Trinidad till I was 13, then I moved with my immediate family to New York. I ended up going to NYU for Mechanical Engineering and hating it, so I took time off to align my interests with what I was actually doing. With the help of my old mentor, Alim Williams, I was able to create a platform that was inspired by my love to help others and to impact the culture positively. Since then, things have been an incredible journey that I look forward to being on for the rest of my life.

When did you first come up with idea for Digital Madrid and when was it officially launched?

I came up with it in Fall of 2013 and it launched January 2014.

What is the overarching mission behind Digital Madrid and does the name have any significant meaning?

My goal for Digital Madrid is to create a community in which artists are provided with opportunities because of their talents. It will also be a breathing ground for inspiration, in regards to the people and even the artists who view it. The name does hold much significance. Of course, ‘Digital’ speaks to the Internet age that we live in and Madrid, for a couple reasons. The first being that my brother’s favorite football team is Real Madrid, so I wanted to pay homage to him, and also ‘Madrid’ is the capital of Spain and one of the most notable cities in the world. I wanted Digital Madrid to embody an international field that shares its very own dominance.

“Exposure in general is a major success, just being able to see people appreciate what I do, whether it’s 10 people or 10 million people, it still gives me an accomplished feeling.”

What are some of the major successes you’ve experienced so far with Digital Madrid and how often do you accept submissions to it?

Exposure in general is a major success, just being able to see people appreciate what I do. Whether it’s 10 people or 10 million people, it still gives me an accomplished feeling. But I guess the Fader feature that they ran on me is the biggest success thus far if you’re speaking of tangible things. That interview was the first interview where I opened up completely about Digital Madrid. In regards to submissions, I don’t accept submissions, I invite artists who I want to feature, and if they accept it, then they prepare their exclusive sets for Digital Madrid.

We both know that art in itself is totally subjective. What are the criteria you use in selection the art you display on Digital Madrid?

For one, it all depends on the space that I am in at the moment. If I’m infatuated with photography, then it may be dominated by photographs. If I’m looking to venture outside the norm and focus on 3-D artists, then I’ll do that. But I think it’s a mixture of things, organic and calibrated. Also I look to some of my close friends who are artists to also give me some type of direction or advice in where they think I can improve it.

Kadeem’s select pieces from his recent curation

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You also have another digital outlet called ILS Magazine. What type of creative vibes are you trying to put into the universe with this publication?

ILS is a platform for the underdog. ILS is what I use to mainly push out up and coming brands who don’t receive any type of press or exposure. ILS is a playing ground for me to directly support people that I believe in and also to get out my cultural interests. It also serves as a springboard for people who have worked with me, etc.

Art and Fashion constantly intertwine, and you’re definitely a stylish gent. Do you think you’ll ever undertake any ventures in the fashion world?

I like to help my friends behind-the-scenes with my expertise. Right now, I’m attending Fashion Institute of Technology and finishing up my degree in Direct and Interactive Marketing so I’m able to apply the things that I learn in class with the things that I’ve learned from the culture to help them. Truthfully I don’t ever think I’ll have a brand, but I’m sure I’ll be working with many. I’ve also done collaborations last year with a couple brands and I’ll be doing a couple more again in the near future.

If you could have a 3-course dinner with 3 creative geniuses (dead or alive) – who would you pick and why?

Truthfully, aside from my close friends, I wouldn’t even say any celebrities, I would just say The Madbury Club. I’ve looked up to them for over 5 years and their work is truly amazing. I mean they are literally a group of friends who are creating just for the sake of art and the culture.

Please finish this sentence; The current state of the art world is desperately in need of …

Intelligence and adversity. And I say these two things because adversity pushes intelligent individuals to create extraordinary things.

In addition to Digital Madrid and The ILS, what other creative ventures can we expect from you in the future?

You’ll see me mainly working with my friends and collaborating with them to bring to life our ideas.

What do you envision as the growth and impact of Digital Madrid in the next 5 years?

I believe that it can be one of the premier online art platforms that offers a distinct feel for artists who may be at the forefront of the Digital Art World in the future.