By Gordon David Durich
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 8/18/22 – New York based artist and animator Daniel Dover is living the American dream – and transferring his creativity to successful and highly acclaimed art projects. The prolific and largely self-taught artist behind “Bernard & Ralph- and the Beach House Gang”, a series of clever cartoon shorts, is also a visual and street artist. At times, he even combines these two forms into one, as seen in his mind blowing graphitized escalator steps in Tel-Aviv city hall.
On the phone from his Manhattan apartment and studio, Daniel tells me – “producing my own cartoon series was just a lifelong dream, so I decided to use my time in between panic attacks during the first lockdown to finally finish animating it”. “Bernard & Ralph- and the Beach House Gang” is a quirky series about a bunch of dysfunctional animals who live together in a halfway house in the city of New York, while dealing with issues of social isolation, depression and anxiety (among other things).
“In 2022, everyone has mental health challenges,” Daniel says, “and if you don’t, there’s probably something very wrong with you.” Having worked in graphic design, animation, making elaborate public installations and exhibiting his art around Europe and New York, Daniel explained; “Street art is very accessible and rewarding – because you get pretty instant feedback”. However, cartoons and animation are his lifeblood – “it’s basically like black magic to me. Even when working on my own animations, as soon as it’s finished and moving, I’m just hypnotized.” It was a trip to learn more about this intriguing and creative artist and animator, especially as my dad was an artist and animator as well, allowing me to appreciate all the extensive work and dedication that goes into such a long process. Add to that an eclectic style and eccentric mind – and you get Daniel Dover’s innovative world.
