☝⬆️ Double Jump Series 🎈

Double Jump is a series of artworks created in 2022 that present real-world concepts by using video game themes — colorful aesthetics, jumping platforms, enemies, main characters and dialogue options. Ruggiero started this series to explore her love for video games and character creation. She is a huge fan of JRPGs, adventure games, and platformers, and these artworks allowed her to mix that with her love for community and tech.

Let me grab my ledger was inspired by a gamified version of the NFT cryptosphere. The artwork's world is both gleeful and mischievous: Diamond Hands are gesturing towards their Ledger, a playful creature is asking us if we want to buy some NFTs, and another is selling Gas Energy Drinks. The creatures bear a likeness to characters that might be found in NFT art, PFP projects, or classic role-playing video games. The world is very playful and perhaps a bit menacing, reminding the main character (the viewer) to have fun...and to protect themselves at all costs. 😜

This work was shown at SXSW with Opensea & Unf01d, and at Art Basel Miami with Superchief Gallery & H+ Creative.

Growing up, video games were a big part of the way Ruggiero would spend her time. However, both stereotypical gender options didn’t really resonate with her. Being the tomboy that she was, she wanted to play as a character that felt more like her, more androgynous. For this piece, she conceptualized a non-binary character named Fish whom she later created with PLANTTDADDII (Sam Clover).

The platform world Ruggiero and Clover created for Fish is based on NYC and was conceptualized by Sam. Recently, Sam moved from Seattle to New York. She chose a NYC-style platformer world because she felt it would be a perfect way to express how chaotic it is to live in New York, and thought it would make a great world for a character to fight baddies within. The world also reflects the little things that bring Sam joy and help her overcome daily stressors. Fish battles enemies in this NYC-themed world, jumping from platform to platform, proud to face these challenges as a hero, living life true to themself.

Achievement Unlocked: Touch Grass is a 3D render and photographic print, created in 2022, and shown at the SuperRare Pop-Up Gallery in Manhattan and in Gender Bender Time Traveller Group Show in Berlin, Germany.