Ophidiac

Ophidiac (meaning "pertaining to snakes") was an artgroup established by virtuous weirdo Dieznyik under the premise that most local artgroups were dysfunctional backwaters polluted by toxic small-town drama. He wanted to present a context in which emerging computer artists could create among peers while sidestepping all the negativity that often accompanied membership in small local groups (or as he put it "provide new artists with a trouble-free environment to start off in".) It had a mentorship aspect, and touted the value of having an ego-less association as a kind of value-neutral brand or label without the tribalism that results from crew membership and competition.

It released two artpacks, in August and September 1996, before wrapping things up later that year. As their offbeat approach resonated with our own outsider experience, we were in negotiations with them to provide the first landing pad for the Mistigris World Tour, but when we were ready to kick it off in November they decided to pull the plug and so we started with Blade in December. (Thanatos' first illustrated Mistigris World Tour "riddle" announcing our initial release destination featured a serpent, which was intended to signpost our appearance with this crew. Well, it was a nice idea!)