The Pompidou Centre in Paris is hosting an exhibition dedicated to NFTs, the tokens of the crypto world that are linked to digital artworks. The exhibition, held in the minimalist halls of the Pompidou, showcases digital art forms. The show could give the digital art form a much-needed lift, and the Pompidou hopes to focus on the art itself rather than the economics behind it.
The organisers of the event, the first European gallery to start a collection of NFT art, say that “these artists get a place in the history of art and their works are guaranteed longevity”. The Pompidou was able to acquire many of the works for just a handful of dollars because of the collapse in interest in NFTs. Half of the works on display were donated by their creators.
Crypto Icons on Display
The exhibition showcases a range of NFT art, including works by California artist Robness and “Bitchcoin”, created by Sarah Meyohas in 2015, making it one of the first NFT artworks. The show is steeped in NFT iconography, with a 3D “portrait” of Satoshi Nakamoto, the possibly fictional creator of bitcoin, and a “cryptopunk” also on display. Visitors to the exhibition will experience a traditional art gallery setting, with whitewashed walls and hanging images accompanied by small explanation cards, but instead of canvas and paper, the digital works are rendered on screens.
Storing Pixels
While the prices paid for the artworks were surprisingly low, the gallery had to jump through some dificulties to acquire them. NFT art is generally sold on platforms where cryptocurrency is the preferred payment method, and proof of ownership is stored on the blockchain. However, accounting rules prevented the Pompidou from buying cryptocurrency to acquire the works. The works were paid for in euros, and contracts were signed under French law. The difficulty of storing and insuring digital artworks was also a challenge. To address this issue, copies of the works are held on several servers and in different media to ensure their safety and longevity.
Overall, the exhibition at the Pompidou Centre offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of NFT art and its place in the history of art. It provides a fresh perspective on the intersection of technology and artistic provocation. The Pompidou hopes to showcase the creativity and innovation of NFT artists, and to spark a renewed interest in the potential of NFT art in the digital age.
