Blockchain and Crypto Art Week

Blockchain and Crypto Art Week - Cointelegraph Magazine

[jnews_slider_7 compatible_column_notice=”” autoplay_delay=”5000″ excerpt_length=”30″ number_post=”5″ post_offset=”0″ include_category=”469″ enable_autoplay=”true”][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Blockchain and Art | New medium. New message.” heading_tag=”h1″ alignment=”left” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:16px;” margin_design_tab_text=”” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;”][/ultimate_heading][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″]In the beginning, there was a statement.

Embedded in the Genesis block of the Bitcoin blockchain, a message.

The Times 03/Jan/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks

If art is a statement, Satoshi Nakamoto was the first blockchain artist. (Or collective?)

A block named ‘Genesis’. A gap of six days before the second block. A community that reveres Satoshi with almost religious devotion.

Nakamoto’s intention to announce the Second Coming of money may be inferred, but there can be no objective truth to their statement. It may be a timestamp. The six days may be a coincidence. The fervor around Bitcoin may yet prove to be misplaced.

The subjectivity of the viewer dictates the meaning of the artist in their absence.

The world’s first blockchain artwork remains memorialized in a hardcoded block that may, as we will explore later this week, be the first piece of truly permanent human artistic expression.

Celebrating the artists who have adopted blockchain and the crypto revolution, we’ll explore the intersection of the technology and the state of the art in this week-long series of features, culminating in an invitation to visit a curated virtual exhibition featuring artists from around the globe.

We hope you enjoy it.[vc_btn title=”Visit Citadel 6.15 Now!
(From March 27th, 12pm PT)” style=”outline” color=”peacoc” size=”lg” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cryptovoxels.com%2Fplay%3Fcoords%3DSW%40123E%2C234S||target:%20_blank|”][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”The First | Blockchain Artist?”][TS-VCSC-Lightbox-Image content_image=”4593″ content_image_size=”large” content_title=”Bitcoin Genesis Block by Satoshi Nakamoto” overlay_background=”rgba(24,24,24,0.3)” overlay_title_back=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” lightbox_social=”true”][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Visit A Virtual | Art Exhibition”]Citadel 6.15 curated art exhibit by Coldie[ultimate_heading main_heading=”What We’re Exploring” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”2″ line_color=”#b2b2b2″ main_heading_font_size=”desktop:28px;” spacer_margin=”margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:12px;” sub_heading_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]Articles will go live each day![/ultimate_heading][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Monday | 3/23″][interactive_banner_2 banner_title=”Collaborations And Connections” banner_desc=”Maya Middlemiss on how members of the crypto art world work together, featuring artist Sparrow Read. CLICK NOW TO READ!” banner_image=”id^4677|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NP8.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^NP8|description^null” banner_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2F2020%2F03%2F23%2Fcollectivism-collaboration-crypto-art-world%2F|title:LIVE%20NOW!||” banner_style=”style13″ banner_color_title=”#ffffff” banner_color_desc=”#ffffff” image_opacity=”0.7″ image_opacity_on_hover=”0.4″ banner_title_style=”font-weight:bold;” banner_title_font_size=”desktop:14px;”][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Tuesday | 3/24″][interactive_banner_2 banner_title=”Immutable Trash and Censorship” banner_desc=”Darren Kleine talks to artist Robness and John Crain of SuperRare about censorship, and the meaning of art.
CLICK NOW TO READ!” banner_image=”id^4678|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NP9.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^NP9|description^null” banner_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2F2020%2F03%2F24%2Fimmutable-trash-crypto-art-rcensorship-meaning%2F|title:Immutable%20Trash%3A%20Crypto%20Art%20Revisits%20Arguments%20on%20Censorship%20and%20Meaning|target:%20_blank|” banner_style=”style13″ banner_color_title=”#ffffff” banner_color_desc=”#ffffff” image_opacity=”0.7″ image_opacity_on_hover=”0.4″ banner_title_style=”font-weight:bold;” banner_title_font_size=”desktop:14px;”][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Wednesday | 3/25″][interactive_banner_2 banner_title=”Defying Obsolescence” banner_desc=”Paul de Havilland on the ephemerality of art, and the opportunity for eternal preservation.
CLICK NOW TO READ!” banner_image=”id^4679|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NP10.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^NP10|description^null” banner_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2F2020%2F03%2F25%2Fdefying-obsolescence-how-blockchain-tech-could-redefine-artistic-expression%2F|title:Defying%20Obsolescence%3A%20How%20Blockchain%20Tech%20Could%20Redefine%20Artistic%20Expression|target:%20_blank|” banner_style=”style13″ banner_color_title=”#ffffff” banner_color_desc=”#ffffff” image_opacity=”0.7″ image_opacity_on_hover=”0.4″ banner_title_style=”font-weight:bold;” banner_title_font_size=”desktop:14px;”][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Thursday | 3/26″][interactive_banner_2 banner_title=”Interview with Josie Bellini” banner_desc=”Darren Kleine takes a Journey in Blockchain with Josie Bellini, exploring the meaning behind her artwork and her views on printing unlimited money.
CLICK NOW TO READ!” banner_image=”id^4680|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NP11.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^NP11|description^null” banner_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2F2020%2F03%2F26%2Fjourneys-in-blockchain-josie-bellini%2F|title:Journeys%20in%20Blockchain%3A%20Josie%20Bellini|target:%20_blank|” banner_style=”style13″ banner_color_title=”#ffffff” banner_color_desc=”#ffffff” image_opacity=”0.7″ image_opacity_on_hover=”0.4″ banner_title_style=”font-weight:bold;” banner_title_font_size=”desktop:14px;”][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Friday | 3/27″][interactive_banner_2 banner_title=”Exploring Citadel 6.15 With Coldie” banner_desc=”Jon Rice discusses the virtual exhibition in Cryptovoxels’ Origin City with its curator, crypto artist and collector Coldie.
CLICK NOW TO READ!” banner_image=”id^4681|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NP12.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^NP12|description^null” banner_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2F2020%2F03%2F27%2Fcoldie-citadel-615-creator-collector-curator%2F|title:Coldie%20And%20Citadel%206.15%3A%20The%20Creator%2C%20The%20Collector%2C%20The%20Curator||” banner_style=”style13″ banner_color_title=”#ffffff” banner_color_desc=”#ffffff” image_opacity=”0.7″ image_opacity_on_hover=”0.4″ banner_title_style=”font-weight:bold;” banner_title_font_size=”desktop:14px;”][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Sat / Sun | 3/28 & 3/29″][interactive_banner_2 banner_title=”Events and Artist Appearances” banner_desc=”Meet some of the crypto artists involved in the Citadel 6.15 exhibition. Full schedule to follow.
CLICK TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION NOW!” banner_image=”id^4682|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NP13.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^NP13|description^null” banner_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cryptovoxels.com%2Fplay%3Fcoords%3DSW%40123E%2C234S|||” banner_style=”style13″ banner_color_title=”#ffffff” banner_color_desc=”#ffffff” image_opacity=”0.7″ image_opacity_on_hover=”0.4″ banner_title_style=”font-weight:bold;” banner_title_font_size=”desktop:14px;”][ultimate_heading main_heading=”YELLOW LAMBO” main_heading_color=”#ffffff” sub_heading_color=”#ffffff” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”1″ line_color=”#aaaaaa” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:28px;” sub_heading_font_size=”desktop:18px;” spacer_margin=”margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:12px;”]

by Kevin Abosch

[/ultimate_heading]

Yellow Lambo sold for $400,000.

A 10 feet wide neon sculpture consisting of 42 alphanumeric characters corresponding to the blockchain contract address of the unique crypto-token YELLOW LAMBO (symbol: YLAMBO).

“The Lamborghini motorcar emerged as a a tongue-in-cheek symbol of success-identity amongst the crypto community… a proxy.

With the unique ERC-20 token YLAMBO I created on the Ethereum blockchain, a secondary proxy serves to distill the emotional value of the crypto-zeitgeist, but then through a third proxy, a yellow neon sculpture YELLOW LAMBO is brought from the virtual realm into the physical.

I think of it as triple-distilled value.” — Kevin Abosch

It was purchased by the former COO of Skype, Michael Jackson.

Photo courtesy Studio Kevin Abosch

[ultimate_heading main_heading=”The Citadel 6.15 Virtual Art Exhibition” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”2″ line_color=”#b2b2b2″ main_heading_font_size=”desktop:28px;” spacer_margin=”margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:12px;” sub_heading_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]

Curated by Coldie – Hosted in the Cryptovoxels Virtual World

[/ultimate_heading]The Citadel 6.15 art experience was created out of necessity, due to the coronavirus.

As a featured artist at the postponed 2020 Bitcoin Conference art gallery, crypto artist and collector Coldie decided to create a virtual art experience and scheduled it for the same weekend.

This free, three-day virtual world experience features a curated collection of artworks by artists from around the world, many of whom were slated to be at that show.

All art is available for bidding and purchasing — both as digital and physical assets. 100% of sales commissions go to the artists, as this event’s goal is to bolster the overall crypto art movement and expose it to a wider audience of art lovers.[TS-VCSC-Lightbox-Image content_image=”4705″ content_image_size=”large” content_title=”Citadel 6.15 During Construction” overlay_background=”rgba(24,24,24,0.3)” overlay_title_back=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” lightbox_social=”true”]Citadel 6.15 is built in the Ethereum-based Cryptovoxels world.

This three-building virtual art show brings together a collection of talented artists working in both the digital and physical spheres, who create Bitcoin-themed hard work.

Even though Cryptovoxels is not built on Bitcoin, this is a symbolic chance for all crypto communities to come together in a unified effort to enjoy the visual art of this profound movement, and get to know each other while we are all practicing social distancing in real life.

You don’t need any special software to visit the exhibition – simply click on the links as they go live this week.

Stay home, but get out and visit an art exhibit![ultimate_modal modal_title=”How To Explore” btn_size=”block” btn_bg_color=”rgba(30,115,190,0.54)” btn_text=”How To Explore” modal_size=”container” modal_style=”overlay-fade” overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”2″ modal_border_color=”#c4c4c4″ modal_border_radius=”2″]Exploring Citadel 6.15 in Cryptovoxels[/ultimate_modal]

Building Guide

(All links go live Friday 27th March)

Building 1

Courtyard auto exhibit by Cryptomotors

Entry center with assorted artworks

Rooftop car exhibit by n0shot, wearables gallery and crypto art collection

Building 2

SuperRare group art exhibit

Async group art exhibit

Rooftop Josie Bellini art installation

Building 3

Assorted artworks

Coldie’s art vault

Rooftop JOY art installation

[ultimate_heading main_heading=”Featured Artist” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”middle” line_height=”2″ line_color=”#b2b2b2″ main_heading_font_size=”desktop:28px;” spacer_margin=”margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:12px;” sub_heading_font_size=”desktop:18px;”]

Josie Bellini

[/ultimate_heading]

Josie Bellini has been creating crypto art since 2017.

“Formerly in finance, forever in crypto.”

She creates art that tells the story of the crypto ecosystem: a story she is uniquely positioned to tell with her background in finance and passion for technology.

Not only does Josie utilize canvas and paint in her work, but she also releases digital art and augmented reality scenes to fully immerse her viewers.

She now exhibits artwork at conferences across the country such as Consensus, NFT NYC, Bitcoin 2019, and Satoshi Roundtable.

You can learn more about her work by following her on Twitter at @josiebellini and visiting her website https://josie.io/.

[jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Fed Monkey / Bitcoin Girl”][TS-VCSC-Image-Switch image_start=”4729″ attribute_alt_start=”true” attribute_alt_value_start=”(un)limited – Fed Monkey / Bitcoin Girl by Josie Bellini. | (Click for alternate view.)” image_end=”4728″ attribute_alt_end=”true” attribute_alt_value_end=”(un)limited – Fed Monkey / Bitcoin Girl by Josie Bellini. | (Click for alternate view.)” switch_handle_color=”#dd9933″ tooltip_content=”Click the orange button for alternate state.” tooltip_style=”ts-simptip-style-gray” tooltip_animation=”grow”][/TS-VCSC-Image-Switch][jnews_element_header compatible_column_notice=”” header_type=”heading_6″ first_title=”Josie Bellini Gallery”][TS_VCSC_Lightbox_Gallery lightbox_size=”large” content_images=”4757,4760,4759,5153″ content_images_size=”large” content_images_titledata=”title” content_images_altdata=”false” content_style=”Freewall” data_grid_preloader=”10″ freewall_width=”200″ data_grid_space=”8″ data_grid_limit=”4″ thumbnail_height=”60″][/TS_VCSC_Lightbox_Gallery][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Learn More About Josie’s Work” spacer=”line_only” spacer_position=”bottom” line_height=”2″ line_color=”#b2b2b2″ main_heading_font_size=”desktop:28px;” spacer_margin=”margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:12px;” sub_heading_font_size=”desktop:18px;”][/ultimate_heading][ultimate_modal icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^4781|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Onward-Icon.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^Onward Icon|description^null” modal_title=”Onward” btn_size=”block” btn_bg_color=”#ff0000″ btn_text=”Onward” modal_size=”container” modal_style=”overlay-show-genie” overlay_bg_color=”#d8d8d8″ overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”2″ modal_border_radius=”0″]

About ONWARD


Digital Art (2020)

“Onward” honors the people that have contributed, and continue to contribute to the greater goal of an open society.

A Cypherpunk’s Manifesto was written by Eric Hughes on March 9, 1993. It was a declaration and commitment to create technologies that protect our rights of privacy.

Eric, David Chaum, Adam Back, Hal Finney, Nick Szabo, and Wei Dai are just a handful of leaders that changed our way of life with their dedication to writing code. Their contributions were the foundations of Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin.

The manifesto’s last word is ‘onward’, which you see the subject in the artwork gazing up towards. She has committed to joining this movement. She wears the bitcoin gas mask as protection from our current world of fiat. At the bottom of the piece you see the date of the manifesto anchoring the artwork.

It’s a reminder that this journey has been travelled by many before us, and will continue to be travelled by many after us. “Let us proceed together apace. Onward.”[/ultimate_modal][ultimate_modal icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^4782|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-People-Icon.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^The People Icon|description^null” modal_title=”The People” btn_size=”block” btn_bg_color=”#e88439″ btn_text=”The People” modal_size=”container” modal_style=”overlay-show-genie” overlay_bg_color=”#d8d8d8″ overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”2″ modal_border_radius=”0″]

About THE PEOPLE

Original Painting 24″ W x 24″ H – Acrylic, Spray Paint, USD, and Metal on Wood Panel (2020)


“The People” reveals that the strength and resiliency of bitcoin comes from the people united and not one authority.

Showing a female subject with her face hidden by graffiti spray paint that says “We Are Satoshi.” In the background, we can see George Washington busts that are cut directly from US dollars which represents the founding fathers. Not the founding fathers of the United States but the founding fathers of bitcoin.

We are paying respect to them for laying the foundation of the incredible system that we have today. If you look closely, you can read the names of some of the original people that chose to “opt out” — and you too can fill “your name here”…

[/ultimate_modal][ultimate_modal icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^4780|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Filter-Icon.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^Filter Icon|description^null” modal_title=”Filter” btn_size=”block” btn_bg_color=”#6b776d” btn_text=”Filter” modal_size=”container” modal_style=”overlay-show-genie” overlay_bg_color=”#d8d8d8″ overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”2″ modal_border_radius=”0″]

About FILTER


Original Painting 30″ W x 40″ H – Acrylic, Spray Paint, USD, and Bitcoin Whitepaper on Canvas (2018)

The title of this piece is Filter. The subject dons a gas mask, lined by Bitcoin white paper which reveals the truth of corruption in the fiat system. The filtration of fiat to cryptoassets allows her to take control of her own destiny.

Augmented Reality through the Artivive App

[/ultimate_modal][ultimate_modal icon_type=”custom” icon_img=”id^4783|url^https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yours-Truly-Icon.jpg|caption^null|alt^null|title^Yours Truly Icon|description^null” modal_title=”Yours Truly” btn_size=”block” btn_bg_color=”#c34074″ btn_text=”Yours Truly” modal_size=”container” modal_style=”overlay-show-genie” overlay_bg_color=”#d8d8d8″ overlay_bg_opacity=”80″ modal_border_style=”solid” modal_border_width=”2″ modal_border_radius=”0″]

About YOURS TRULY


Original Painting 48″ W x 48″ H – Acrylic on Canvas (2020)

“Yours Truly” is a painting that launched a multiverse puzzle that was the first of its kind. It was the largest multi-platform puzzle in the NFT space, including Neon District, Axie Infinity, Twisted Vacancy, SuperRare, Cryptovoxels, Age of Rust, and Cryptokitties.

The puzzle was solved on March 2, 2020 and the write up is found here.

Augmented Reality through the Artivive App.

[/ultimate_modal][jnews_carousel_1 compatible_column_notice=”” number_item=”3″ margin=”20″ autoplay_delay=”5500″ number_post=”5″ post_offset=”0″ include_category=”469″ scheme=”alt” show_nav=”true” enable_autoplay=”true”]