2 Artists I would like to see making CryptoArt
Crypto Art, is it any good?
Most Art Sucks: Five Years of Coagula
Over the last month I’ve been testing what respected art world people think of Crypto Art and the pushback was considerable.
Most couldn’t get over the paradigm of art that wasn’t physical, but eventually agreed that terrain has already been crossed with conceptual art.
The Crypto & Blockchain aspect bamboozled them and was something that needed a lot of time to explain. Some preferred the art world being opaque and thought this level of transparency should be resisted.
A few who own galleries quickly worked out they weren’t needed, nor their 50% commission if, or when peer to peer transactions become the norm.
The universal response after visiting Crypto Art platforms is this stuff is SHIT by NONAMES….”Who are these artists, I’ve never heard of any of them”. I pass on the names of many of the more successful and the response “they have no auction house history” & “I cannot understand the prices and how they expect to get a return on their investment”?
The response to Rarible was 100%
So I gave them examples from the best curated platforms and they agreed some of the work was interesting, but there’s no one from the art world. So I gave them Kenny Scharf @ Nifty Gateway and 100% of the responses were “Great Artist”.
Artwork by Kenny Scharf
I like to think I have an open mind, but I got to admit when I first heard about Cryptokitties, Cryptopunks and visited Superrare I though WTF is this crap. That was years ago and every so often I would drop by in and was universally repulsed.
Two and a half years ago I started giving advice to a company that wanted to have all art on the Blockchain. That started me down the rabbit hole of Blockchain, Crypto Currencies and all the way back to Crypto Art. I watched as the Cryptoart scene built up momentum.
When Kenny Scharf released his first NFT with Nifty Gateway I thought pretty soon the whole art world will follow?
Now I love Crypto Art, but most of it sucks, then again I love the art world and most art sucks too.
I would like to get as many of the good artists in the art world into the Crypto Art scene.
Coming from the art world, CryptoArt is a weird aesthetic, much of it immature, stupidly fixated on effects and sometime just plain dumb. Damn it, those are also some of the same reasons I like CryptoArt, but I also like the idea of seeing what some of the wonderful established artists would create in the Crypto scene.
Here are two artist I would like to see making CryptoArt.
Marilyn Minter
oil paintings by Marilyn Minter
“Wet Kiss” (2014), C-print, 218,4 x 162,6 cm.
From memory, this short video was on display in Times Square
a more recent clip for an exhibition
Marilyn Minter, Tear Jerker. 2004 C Print
This is worth watching
The second artist I would love to see making CryptoArt is Christian Rex van Minnen
Christian Rex van Minnen website
I’m just going to let his paintings do the talking……yes they’re oil paintings ….and you can imagine what someone with this imagination can do with CryptoArt?
Harder Darker Freer Lover, 2017 75x53” oil on linen on panel
Happiness is Bananas, 2020 48x72” oil on linen
American New Thought 2019 60 x97” oil on linen
Bathhouse Pussy Poppin’ 2016 72 x 48 “ oil on linen
Hippy Dippy Death Trip, 2013 , 12 x 16” oil on panel.
As CryptoArt platforms begin to mature they have to consider what is it they are , not just whats selling. Just because something is technically is a NFT and capable of selling for a high price doesn’t mean it should be part of their platform.
I think it’s time platforms specialised more and if you’re going to call yourself a CryptoArt platform then sell only art.
If you’re going to scout for artists to join your platform, then make it a place artists want to be part of.
I see many future problem ahead for CryptoArt, one of which is attracting established artists to enter the scene.
I know so many artist who would be great in the CryptoArt scene, artists beyond the obvious Mark Ryden etc. I have also seen their resistance to Cryptoart as something they do not want to be seen in the company of.
I’m going to be 59 years old in April and I have a young mind.
I have only ever applied for 1 job in my entire life and that was at the behest of my Government so as to keep getting the dole. So, I turned up to an art gallery which also had a framing business and I lied when asked if I knew how to frame. The next day to my disappointment they called me back in, if I refused I would lose my unemployment payments (I was a full-time artist, not unemployed, just wasn’t making any money). To cut a long story short I got the job on a casual basis on one condition which I set. The most unique “workplace agreement” ever. I could leave work anytime I liked the way the clouds looked. At that time I was painting a lot of skies and needed photographs. Cut to a year later I’m in the carpark of the framing business arguing with my boss as to the aesthetic qualities of the clouds, his argument was there’s a ton of work to do, my argument was simple “I like those clouds”, as I pointed at them. I won out, got my photos, sold $20,000 of paintings subsequently including one to a museum, but got the sack a few weeks later. Apparently he now thought my work to “cloud” rule was untenable?
That was over 30 years ago, never worked for anyone else since.
Meanwhile Producer, NFT projects
What about I just a scout for potential new artists, for a spotter’s fee if it works out well, instead of doing all the below?
….and if the clouds look good I could go chase them.
Producer, NFT Projects
at GeminiNew York, NY
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Digital assets and blockchain technology have the power to transform the world for good. This truth, along with our core values, form the bedrock of our company and culture. At Gemini, no job is too small and no project too big as we endeavor to build the future of money. We are a mission-driven, team-based, inclusive, and determined community of thought leaders who invest in each other and the long game. Join us in our mission!
The Department: Nifty Gateway
Nifty Gateway is the premier marketplace for non-fungible tokens, or “Nifties” (NFTs) - digital art and collectibles, recorded on the Ethereum blockchain. We release exclusive content from well known artists and brands each week. Major artists we have worked with in the past include Kenny Scharf, Lyle Owerko, Steven Baltay, and Oliver Latta. Our collections usually sell out in minutes & immediately trade up in value on our proprietary peer-to-peer marketplace.
Nifty Gateway is a “startup within a startup” – we’re Gemini employees, and we use some of Gemini’s crypto infrastructure, and work closely cross-functionally together. We also have our own tech stack and unique team culture.
Role: Producer, NFT Projects
Our NFT Project Producer will be entrepreneurial-minded and devoted to marketing our brand as well as the brand of the artists we work with. Your role is to increase the public’s knowledge of our artists and enhance their earnings on Nifty Gateway. Specifically, this person will be charged with identifying new artists for the platform, helping build the artist’s brand through digital and social media marketing channels, and nurturing a long term relationship between the artist and Nifty Gateway.
A strong candidate will have a passion for technology and be enthusiastic about working in an incredibly fast paced startup environment. They will have extensive knowledge on social media marketing and know the ins and outs of all social media channels. They will be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with the team at Nifty Gateway, and cross-functionally with colleagues across Gemini. Help us build the products that will introduce nifties to 1 billion people!
Responsibilities of this Role:
Scouting potential new artists that could partner with Nifty Gateway.
Researching art shows, galleries, and artists whose work and style compliments the direction of Nifty Gateway.
Coordinate Marketing strategies for a variety of the most exciting, innovative NFT projects in the world
Build marketing infrastructure to support creative marketing for the world’s leading NFT artists
Write copy weekly, promoting and building the careers of prominent NFT artists
Write marketing emails and event updates
Be responsible for marketing for a selection of Nifty Gateway’s artists
Play a pivotal role in growing our artists brands and reputations
Maintain a high level of awareness of notable information within the Art scene, e.g. artist's works and backgrounds
Help run social media accounts with creative new content
Requirements
1-3+ years professional experience in a marketing related role in an art, art adjacent or brand related setting
Track record of operating independently, demonstrating creativity, being detail oriented, and delivering results in an organized manner
Knowledge of social media marketing and growth strategies as well as creating effective social media copy across all channels
Excellent communicator with strong writing skills
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment
Preferred Qualifications
An interest in and general understanding of art, fashion, sports, e-sports and/or collectibles industries
Familiarity and interest with nifties and digital collectibles as we are
Art industry experience, particularly in artist marketing
Knowledge of NFTs and Ethereum
Chasing clouds
Studio interior