“OASIS:Going Meta” at Asia Art Centre and the Future of Crypto Art
When American artist Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple, sold his work titled Everydays — The First 5000 Days as an NFT for US$69 million in 2021, it caused a worldwide sensation; it remained to be the most expensive NFT artwork until The Merge by artist Pak fetched US$91.8 million in the same year.
With hammer prices skyrocketing one after another, NFT or Non-Fungible Token took the world by storm. Since then, “Crypto Art” as the emerging genre of art has received an unprecedented amount of media attention, as well as that of the commercial art world, hinting at a new age to come. Naturally, NFT, cryptocurrency, blockchain and metaverse became the buzzwords of the year.
In response to this global trend and in celebration of its 40th anniversary, Asia Art Centre in Taipei presents its first NFT exhibition OASIS: Going Meta, which traces the development of NFT over the last two decades while shedding light on how NFT crossed path with art. This exhibition also presents some of the most notable NFT projects — including CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club, Ether Rock, and Doge — that appealed to the crypto nouveau riche.
Outside Asia Art Centre in Taipei City
As an active observer of the bourgeoning NFT market, it is clear to the writer that new opportunity has opened up for artists around the world. Despite the fact that NFT is perceived by many as rare collectible, controversies surrounding its authenticity, ownership and, most importantly, the true value of crypto art remain. While visiting OASIS: Going Meta, this writer couldn’t help but reflect on the nature, as well as the value, of the many examples of crypto art on display.
Most would agree that the value of traditional arts and crafts — those made by hands — is beyond comparison. First of all, it requires the maker’s know-how and a good set of skills in order to succeed in any art form. Though it might not be as perfect as computer-generated art, physical art is as unique as it can be, where imperfections or unintended strokes are often considered to be self-expressive and beautiful.
CryptoPunks by Larva Labs
When we encounter something made by men, we would feel that there’s a certain emotion attached to it, however intangible. Yet, this is hardly the case for crypto art — especially the ones generated by algorithm — which, in most cases, are merely following the trend, creating art for a market that is always craving for more. But what happens when art is no longer based on the legacy of tradition?
For even if one excels at manipulating the machinery or data, it would be difficult to translate human touch through a digital medium. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why we’re seeing a great deal of NFTs offering a physical twin.
Some even see it as a revolution that will not only reform the art world, but the way we see and experience this world.
This writer is not, by all means, suggesting that crypto art has no value. Crypto art and, particularly NFT art, has undoubtedly expanded the categories of art and, unexpectedly, changed our ways of seeing and collecting art. Some even see it as a revolution that will not only reform the art world, but the way we see and experience this world.
What this writer is trying to argue is that human touch, not matter how slight, is intrinsic to the formation of crypto art. Yet, the ways in which that emotional bond between digital work and its beholder can be created is perhaps what all current and future artists need to reflect on. We are, after all, just human beings, and that which doesn’t touch our soul will simply not suffice.