NFTs: The New Classic
We all know what NFT stands for by now - Non Fungible Token. A non interchangeable unit of information on a blockchain.
But from an artist’s perspective, NFTs can stand for Next Future Traditions, New Financial Trends, Nirvana Freedom Truth…you get the picture. NFTs have taken the world by storm, so it is only fitting to find a collection of NFTs at the LA Art Show which took place Jan 19-23, 2022.
In this post I cover 3 Exhibits that really made an impact.
Johnny ‘KMNDZ’ Rodriguez
Johnny Rodriguez (Twitter OGKMNDZ) is a successful graphic designer based in Los Angeles, California. Johnny’s Open Sea gallery of NFTs feature a hybrid of mechanical and natural elements to create pieces straight from a science fiction film. His LA Art Show Exhibit entitled Little Beasts did not disappoint. What makes NFTs so valuable is having a healthy community around it, which Johnny KMNDZ has to their advantage.
The future of NTFs is very practical and beneficial for artists. Many established artists immediately understood the usefulness of this medium. It is the next frontier and it’s not going away. The lovely ladies who represented the Little Beasts collection shared that “people will be displaying NFTs as digital art on their wall still with digital high sense TV monitors.” This allows for flexibility in the art you choose to display. When you want to change the decor or aesthetic of a space, you can simply change the artwork or choose to resell it. When you collect art and know that no one else owns it, that level of exclusivity that is associated with the fine arts community is not lost. Collectors can resell, and the original artist will still gain profits at whatever percentage that originally set. This is why this new form of art is such a great financial investment for artists and collectors.
Memorial to the Future
Tucked away at the rear of the show was this haunting and somber exhibit which takes a look at climate change. Memorial to the Future is a labor of love from the Torrance Art Museum, curated by Max Presneill and installed by Daniela Soberman. This sculpture uses Brutalist architecture which emerged from the United Kingdom in the 1950s. The structure is bare yet complex and is built from home construction materials, plaster, open-source photographs and video monitors.
The experience wandering through this can leave you dispirited, as you see the photos of pollution, trash, and realize that the climate is heading in a bleak direction. As a stark contrast to the emergence of NFTs which are notoriously harmful to the environment, this piece was a humbling reminder that we need to care for the environment. The Torrance Art Museum said “Nowadays, politically responsible contemporary art needs to explicitly take account of ecological issues.”
There is a world in which Non Fungible Tokens can be eco friendly.
The Ethereum Blog Foundation is working to minimize the impact of the blockchain stating “Ethereum will use at least ~99.95% less energy post merge” by switching from a Proof of Work model to Proof of Stake.
Naoko Visiting Bosch’s Hell - Mitsuru Watanabe
This piece catches your eye immediately as you recognize the Hello Kitty lunch pail and see a young girl with captivating eyes. It’s almost like Where’s Waldo in the sense that everywhere you look there is something new to decode. According to Janet Whitmore at Rehs Contemporary, “Almost all of Mitsuru’s paintings feature his children as his models. The combination of humor and serious cultural commentary is characteristic of Mitsuru’s painting.” This charming and vibrant work of art is on display at Rehs Contemporary in New York.
How does this all tie together? We have NFTs, an exciting look at the future. We have a climate change build out, a sobering look at the present. Finally we have a reminder of childhood, an endearing look to the past. The 2022 LA Art Show had many wonderful pieces, and the future of art is in great hands.
For more info on how NFTs are moving towards a smaller environmental impact check out this article by TIME.
To watch the LA Art Show Youtube video, click here or watch below.