Lan Party (AI visual), Donald Gjoka, 2024

Donald Gjoka in Dialogue with Fakewhale: COEVAL Magazine, Creativity, and the New Underground

Over the past decade, COEVAL Magazine has established itself as a key voice in contemporary visual culture, seamlessly blending diverse creative languages, from the underground currents of fashion to the realm of digital art, while maintaining an independent and distinctive identity. At Fakewhale, we had the pleasure of speaking with its founder, Donald Gjoka, diving deep into the evolution of the editorial project, as well as his thoughts on AI, underground culture, and the intersection of art and fashion.

Fakewhale: COEVAL Magazine was founded in 2015 with a clear vision. Could you take us behind the scenes of those early moments? What led you to launch the project, what were your initial ideas, and how has that mission evolved over the years?

Donald Gjoka: The inception of COEVAL Magazine in 2015 was driven by a desire to challenge conventional narratives in art and fashion publishing. The initial concept was to cultivate artist-generated content by engaging with an innovative take on the encyclopedic format. This approach allowed us to amplify the voices of emerging talents alongside established creatives worldwide, fostering a dynamic dialogue within the cultural landscape.

Over time, Coeval has maintained its commitment to this mission, continually adapting to the evolving creative landscape while staying true to its core principles.
For a decade, our publication has been a key source of inspiration for brands, institutions, students, universities, companies, galleries, and others. Now, we’re taking it to the next level by introducing a printed version. After the success of Issue 0 in November 2024, we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary with the release of an epic Issue 1 in April/May.
Our focus is now on bringing the community offline, creating events and tangible experiences that provide a deeper, more immersive connection.

How do you perceive AI’s impact on the art world today, and how do you think it is reshaping the very notion of creativity? We’re also curious to know if this technological shift has become part of your creative process.

AI’s integration into the art world is redefining creativity, offering tools that augment human ingenuity. This technological shift allows artists to explore new mediums and methodologies, challenging traditional notions of authorship and originality. Personally, I have embraced AI in my creative process, utilizing it to craft narratives that intertwine technology and art, expanding the horizons of visual storytelling.

I use AI to create a mix of my fashion photography background, conceptual vision, and innovative technology, showcasing both its potential and its limitats. Ideas have become far more central to me than execution. Every day feels like an exploration, with new tools allowing me to engage with my concepts on a deeper level and refine them in ways that weren’t previously possible.

Another subject we’d like to discuss is the relationship between art and fashion. It’s a longstanding debate, but from your perspective, do you think fashion has a stronger influence on art today, or is it art that continues to shape and redefine fashion’s language and direction? How do you view this constantly evolving dynamic?

The connection between art and fashion is a dynamic, ongoing exchange, where both continuously influence and inspire one another. In today’s culture, fashion often draws from the world of art, incorporating ideas from artistic movements into its designs. On the flip side, art captures fashion’s changing nature to comment on cultural shifts and trends. This reciprocal relationship ensures that both art and fashion continue to evolve, constantly affecting each other’s growth and creative direction.
For me, and at the core of COEVAL, it’s been about the idea of how different disciplines can intersect, crafting new ways of communicating that continue to surprise and intrigue.

Fakewhale and COEVAL share common ground in the exploration of new languages and the intersection of art, culture, and digital technologies. When did you first come across our project, and what are your thoughts on the directions we are taking? How do you see our respective visions interacting or engaging with each other in this space where contemporary art and advanced technologies converge?

I discovered Fakewhale in 2022, and I’ve been impressed ever since by the platform’s unique curation. The clean, contemporary approach the platform takes with digital art, technology, and culture is incredibly inspiring. It feels so fresh and perfectly aligned with the current creative landscape. I’d love the opportunity to collaborate with Fakewhale, maybe through an art exhibition or event that could merge our communities. There’s so much potential to create something special together, and I’m excited by the possibilities.

Looking ahead, we’d love to hear about the next steps for Coeval Magazine. What ideas or projects are you currently focusing on? Is there something specific you’re aiming to develop or explore in the coming months or years?

Looking ahead, COEVAL Magazine will continue to evolve and redefine the role of a magazine in today’s world. I’m particularly focused on bridging the gap between digital and physical experiences, blending online storytelling with live, interactive events and exhibitions. We’re also working on expanding our focus to include more global voices and perspectives, especially those on the cutting edge of art, culture, and fashion. In the next few months, I’m hoping to build on these ideas on offline events and develop a more inclusive platform that brings together diverse creatives from different parts of the world. COEVAL will always be a (both offline and online) space to challenge norms and explore what’s next.