In episode 14 of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Shintaro Okamoto, founder of Okamoto Studio, a New York–based collective redefining the art of ice.

Shintaro shares his journey from growing up in Alaska to building one of the most respected ice studios in the world — where craftsmanship, design, and engineering meet ephemerality. The conversation explores:

• The science and art behind crystal-clear ice and large-scale sculptures

• How technology, CNC machines, and AI are transforming artistic workflows

• The creative tension between analog craft and digital ideation

• The logistics, problem-solving, and beauty of working with a material that’s destined to melt

They discuss how AI tools can accelerate design inspiration while sometimes creating unrealistic client expectations, and how Okamoto’s studio balances innovation with tradition. The result is a fascinating look at how art, nature, and technology intertwine — and what it means to create beauty that disappears.

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