Session 4-2: This article is a thread originally posted on Twitter (linked here) summarizing study notes from the Fall 2022 semester of the University of Nicosia’s online course, META-511: NFTs and the Metaverse. Course materials can be found at the UNIC META-511 github account here. The author is not affiliated with University of Nicosia or the META-511 faculty.
1/ Summarizing my notes from session 4-2 of @unicmetaverse META-511✍️
This session was a discussion between @punk6529 and @beeple that covered how social media and NFTs are revolutionizing the art scene, his approach and intention as an artist, and views on the future.
2/ Beeple is an artist who has been producing and sharing art online for more than 20 years. In 2007, he began the “Everydays” project, where he produced one digital artwork each day.
His goal is to outweird the internet, by creating something people have never seen before.
3/ Beeple discovered social media presented an opportunity to get around the traditional “systems” of art galleries and museums, which typically acted as the curators and gatekeepers of the art scene.
Beeple was not well known in traditional art circles before his $69m sale.
4/ In the same way the Internet made it easier to view art, NFTs have made it easier to own art.
Beeple thinks NFTs can potentially change the social structure of the art world. New market places, increased liquidity, and ability to reach collectors directly are game-changers.
5/ NFTs lower the barrier of entry, but with that comes increased competition for the attention of people.
Beeple advised young artists to be patient and focus on creating work more than selling it, to hone their craft, and to try things and be comfortable learning in public.
6/ Everydays is a project where Beeple has produced an artwork every day from May 1, 2007.
He uses a 3D program called Cinema 4D, where Beeple arranges objects and sets up a scene. He takes inspiration from current events.
The whole process is done start to finish in one day.
7/ Beeple is trying to change what people find to be acceptable or shocking. While the work has to be “weird,” it must also have craft and have an aesthetic of being professionally made.
Having a public daily deadline has helped in the creative process.
8/ The digital tools to create artwork quickly, and the NFT technology that enable decentralized ownership have the potential to make this era a true before/after moment in art history.
Still, Beeple views it as experimental and that a lot must happen for wider acceptance.
9/ Questions such as what can be an NFT artwork, how it might interact with other artworks, & how it might interact with the outside world (and why are most digital canvases square) have arisen with current tech.
There will be even more as the pace of tech speeds up.
10/ On intellectual property (IP), Beeple highlighted an important point of how current projects seem to be giving away IP with the hope of someone building something on top of it.
People may question why they should spend money & time to build value on something they don’t own.
11/ Beeple stated while the longevity of individual projects may be unknown, he is bullish on the NFT medium.
Throughout history, people have found ways to protect, refurbish, and renovate important artwork. If they are valued, people will find ways to take care & preserve them.
12/ Bonus learning: Beeple name himself 20 years ago after a toy from the 80s, which made a sound when you covered its face.
The syncing between the light and sound was an interplay on syncing of audio and visual elements, which was relevant to Beeple as an audio-visual artist.
13/ If you missed the session, the replay is available here 👇
https://twitter.com/unicmetaverse/status/1589541712556396544?s=61&t=6F-i5X97L0_2760L6EzvTw