Understanding Curated NFTs

Curated Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) represent a fascinating evolution in the digital art world. Unlike traditional NFTs, which can be created and listed by anyone, curated NFTs are selectively chosen and showcased by experts or influential figures in the art and blockchain communities. This process mirrors the art curation in physical galleries, where expert curators select works based on quality, uniqueness, and artistic merit, offering a refined collection to art enthusiasts and collectors.

Art Curation in Galleries: A Historical Perspective

Before the digital era, art curation in galleries played a crucial role in the art world. Galleries acted as gatekeepers of quality and taste, with curators meticulously selecting works that represented artistic innovation, cultural relevance, or outstanding craftsmanship. This process not only helped maintain high standards in the art scene but also guided collectors and art lovers in their journey through an often overwhelming array of choices.

 The Challenge of Curation in NFT Marketplaces

In the burgeoning world of NFTs, many marketplaces have yet to fully embrace the concept of curation. One reason is the inherent nature of blockchain and NFTs, promoting decentralization and democratization of art. While this opens doors for many artists, it also leads to an oversaturated market, making it challenging for collectors to find truly exceptional pieces.

Another issue lies in the business model of NFT platforms. Many marketplaces take a significant percentage from sales, yet they don’t always provide the level of support or curation found in traditional galleries. This disconnect raises questions about the value added by these platforms and their commitment to nurturing the digital art ecosystem.

Charting a Path Forward: Enhancing Curation in NFT Spaces

To bridge this gap, several approaches can be adopted:

1. Incorporating Expert Curators: NFT platforms can engage art experts to curate collections, providing a more refined and high-quality selection of artworks.
2. Community-Driven Curation: Leveraging the collective wisdom of the community to highlight exceptional works can democratize the curation process while maintaining quality.
3. Hybrid Models: Combining algorithmic curation with human expertise can cater to diverse tastes while ensuring a standard of quality.
4. Better Revenue Sharing Models: If marketplaces are taking significant cuts, they should justify this by providing value-added services like marketing support, authenticity verification, and curatorial guidance.

TL;DR: Curated NFTs bring the expertise and selectiveness of traditional art curation into the digital realm. While many NFT marketplaces currently lack robust curation, adopting strategies like expert and community-driven curation, hybrid models, and fairer revenue sharing can enhance the quality and value of offerings in these digital platforms.

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Where Digital Art Meets the Physical World

Are you a fan of mesmerizing digital art and looking to add some exclusive pieces to your collection? Well, brace yourself for an extraordinary opportunity as the renowned artist FVCKRENDER is set to unleash a highly-anticipated NFT drop, featuring two breathtaking series, ALPINE STAR// and ETERNAL FLOWER//. These limited-edition collections offer an intriguing fusion of digital art and tangible keepsakes, allowing enthusiasts to bridge the gap between the virtual and physical realms. With only a couple of days until the drop, let’s take a closer look at what’s in store!

A Masterpiece in Three Variations: ALPINE STAR// NFT

The ALPINE STAR// collection is a true marvel, with three variations, each comprising precisely 222 pieces. Owning an ALPINE STAR// NFT goes beyond the digital realm, as you’ll be entitled to receive a stunning limited art print of your NFT, measuring an impressive 350 x 500 mm. But that’s not all; a highlight of this collection is the limited Special art stamp of ALPINE STAR//, boasting an integrated NFC chip. This brilliant addition serves a dual purpose: not only does it authenticate the art pieces, but it also functions as a physical NFT and crypto wallet, connecting your digital treasure with the tangible world.

Making your purchase even more enticing, ALPINE STAR// NFT holders will have their physicals shipped after the snapshot date, slated for 31st August 2023. So, seize this rare opportunity to own a masterpiece that transcends boundaries and celebrates the convergence of technology and art.

Embrace the Eternal Beauty: ETERNAL FLOWER// NFT

The ETERNAL FLOWER// collection exudes timeless elegance, featuring three distinct variations, each comprising a limited run of 111 pieces. By acquiring an ETERNAL FLOWER// NFT, you’ll unlock an exclusive collectors box shipped to your doorstep after the snapshot date on 31st August 2023.

Opening this exquisite box will unveil an exclusively crafted ETERNAL FLOWER// art plate, adorned with an embedded limited vignette. Additionally, like its ALPINE STAR// counterpart, the ETERNAL FLOWER// NFT comes with the limited Special art stamp featuring an integrated NFC chip, guaranteeing the authenticity of the art pieces. Moreover, this NFC-integrated stamp serves as a physical NFT and crypto wallet, merging the physical and digital aspects of your prized collection seamlessly.

As an added bonus, each ETERNAL FLOWER// collector will be gifted an original chainlink sculpture by none other than FVCKRENDER, adding an exclusive touch to your already illustrious collection.

Austrian Post: A Reliable Shipping Partner

Worried about shipping? Fear not! FVCKRENDER’s team has partnered with Austrian Post to ensure secure and efficient worldwide shipping. Holders of both ALPINE STAR// and ETERNAL FLOWER// NFTs can rest assured that their physical art pieces will be delivered right to their doorsteps following the snapshot date on 31st August 2023.

Don’t Miss the Drop!

If you’re eager to own a piece of digital art history and experience the magic of owning a tangible keepsake, FVCKRENDER’s upcoming NFT drop is an event not to be missed. The fusion of digital art with physical elements creates an unparalleled connection between the virtual and tangible worlds, making these NFTs true collector’s items.

Mark your calendars and prepare to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of ALPINE STAR// and ETERNAL FLOWER//. The drop is scheduled for just a couple of days away, and you can secure your place in art history by visiting the official drop page: https://tokapi.com/drops/5ea05248-a65d-4e5b-a1ba-39ef7a640181?locale=en.

With limited quantities available, make sure you don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to collect a masterpiece that seamlessly unites the digital and physical realms. Embrace the future of art with FVCKRENDER’s ALPINE STAR// and ETERNAL FLOWER// NFTs!

Disclaimer: The information provided is based on details available at the time of writing, and readers are encouraged to visit the drop page for any updates or changes.

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In a recent announcement, the creator of Squiggles, shared exciting updates about the upcoming minting of 81 Squiggles. This significant batch brings the project closer to its final mint, and the community eagerly anticipates the minting process taking place in two transactions at 6 pm CT tonight.

Squiggle Mint Alert! Note that there will be no links in this tweet. Squiggles are not for sale. All remaining mints are accounted for. Please be aware of scammers and report anyone sharing links to any Squiggle minting opportunities.

GM folks! I’m excited to announce that…

— Erick / Snowfro / / LAO / #⃣ / (@ArtOnBlockchain) July 12, 2023

Acknowledging Value and Support

The first transaction of mints will reward community members who have consistently added value and supported artists, collectors, and the overall ecosystem. Additionally, acts of kindness that showcase the beautiful nature of participants in the digital art universe will be recognized and rewarded. Notably, individuals from the creator’s past who have been instrumental in supporting Art Blocks and the personal journey will also receive Squiggles.

Supporting Causes and Organizations

snowfro expressed gratitude by gifting Squiggles to organizations, including charitable ones, that align with their values. The SquiggleDAO, a dedicated group with a clear mission and strong contributions to the Chromie Squiggle project, will receive five Chromie Squiggles for their treasury. Furthermore, ten Chromie Squiggles will be consigned to Venus over Manhattan gallery, to be included in future offerings as they navigate both the web3 and traditional art worlds.

Personal Tokens of Appreciation

The second transaction holds immense personal significance for snowfro. In a heartfelt gesture, a Squiggle will be minted as a gift for each coworker at Art Blocks. This acknowledgment recognizes the pivotal role played by the team members during the challenging and transformative journey of Art Blocks. snowfro expresses deep gratitude for the unwavering support and patience demonstrated by the team.

Revisiting the Family Gift Plan

Originally planning to gift 100 Squiggles to their children, snowfro reconsidered and decided to share these last few mints with individuals working closely alongside them on a daily basis. While the family will still receive a significant number of Squiggles, snowfro believes that including more people in this unique journey aligns better with the project’s original intent.

Excitement for Future Developments

Looking ahead, snowfro expressed immense excitement for the upcoming mint of 10 Squiggles to FlamingoDAO, an early supporter of Squiggles, Art Blocks, and generative art. snowfro proudly identifies as a member and appreciates the positivity, integrity, and presence of the Flamingo community, making web3 a better place.

The Squiggles project continues to captivate and engage the digital art community with its generous and community-focused approach. The recent minting announcement highlights the recognition of value, support, and kindness within the ecosystem, as well as snowfro’s heartfelt gratitude towards the Art Blocks team. With each mint, Squiggles solidifies its position as a pioneering force in the world of generative art, leaving enthusiasts eager to witness the developments that unfold in this unique artistic journey.

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Mercedes-Benz NXT, the digital ecosystem of the renowned luxury automaker, has partnered with acclaimed generative artist Harm van den Dorpel and art collectors Fingerprints DAO to create a groundbreaking NFT collection named “Maschine.” This collaboration not only showcases Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to innovation and artistic expression but also highlights the growing significance of NFTs in the luxury industry. With its rich history of craftsmanship and design excellence, Mercedes-Benz is well-positioned to explore the potential of NFTs and establish itself as a pioneer in the digital art world.

Mercedes-Benz’s Legacy of Creativity

Mercedes-Benz has a long-standing tradition of embracing the arts and engaging in co-creation. Collaborations and creative interactions have been at the heart of the company’s design philosophy, fostering fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that have shaped its iconic vehicles. By extending this philosophy to the realm of NFTs and generative art, Mercedes-Benz continues to push boundaries and redefine the concept of luxury beyond traditional automotive craftsmanship.

The Rise of NFTs and the Appeal for Luxury Brands

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have gained immense popularity in recent years, revolutionizing the art market and providing new avenues for creators to monetize their digital works. NFTs offer unique digital assets that can be bought, sold, and owned, utilizing blockchain technology to ensure authenticity and scarcity. This digital innovation resonates strongly with luxury brands seeking to tap into the digital realm and engage with a tech-savvy audience.

Mercedes-Benz’s strategic foray into the NFT space is a testament to the brand’s ability to adapt to evolving consumer trends and explore new possibilities. By collaborating with established artists and collectors like Harm van den Dorpel and Fingerprints DAO, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates its commitment to nurturing artistic talent and supporting groundbreaking initiatives within the digital art landscape.

Exploring Emergent Aesthetics:

Harm van den Dorpel is an artist dedicated to discovering emergent aesthetics through the composition of software and language. Drawing inspiration from diverse fields such as genetics and blockchain, he creates thought-provoking artworks that challenge traditional notions of art. As a co-founder of the left gallery, van den Dorpel has played a pivotal role in showcasing contemporary art that pushes boundaries and breaks new ground. Based in Berlin, he thrives in an environment that fosters creativity and allows for unconventional artistic expressions.

The “Maschine” Collection: Merging Art and Technology: The “Maschine” collection represents a significant milestone for Harm van den Dorpel, as it combines his expertise in generative art with his first foray into 3D work. To curate the collection, van den Dorpel developed a custom neural network that identifies and selects generated outputs based on his artistic preferences. This fusion of art and technology showcases the cutting-edge nature of the “Maschine” collection, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Guided by Fingerprints DAO, a collector of historic blockchain-based generative art, this collaboration aligns with Mercedes-Benz NXT’s vision of creating digital objects that transcend time. Fingerprints DAO will host the upcoming “Maschine” Dutch auction, providing collectors with an opportunity to acquire these unique digital artworks and furthering their dedication to advancing outstanding generative art.

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Introduction: In a groundbreaking move, Sotheby’s has launched “Sotheby’s Metaverse,” a secondary marketplace for digital art aimed at addressing fragmentation in the 1/1 NFT market. By curating artists and aggregating their works across multiple platforms, Sotheby’s Metaverse is poised to become a leading destination for collecting, buying, and selling unique digital masterpieces.

The Launch: Kicking off with an impressive selection of top artists, such as XCOPY, Sam Spratt, Tyler Hobbs, and Claire Silver, Sotheby’s Metaverse will act as an aggregator of 1/1s from a curated selection of artists across various marketplaces. Peer-to-peer transactions will be executed on the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains, with a 2.5% fee on top of fully enforced royalties.

Navigating the Platform: When visiting an artist’s page on Sotheby’s Metaverse (https://metaverse.sothebys.com/), users will find a brief overview of the artist along with a separate tab containing their complete NFT collection. However, there’s room for improvement, as listing prices from other platforms have not been migrated yet. For example, XCOPY has 0 NFTs for sale on Sotheby’s Metaverse and 24 listed on SuperRare.

Why Sotheby’s Metaverse Matters: The fragmentation of 1/1 digital art pieces across multiple platforms like Foundation, SuperRare, and AOTM Gallery has made it challenging for collectors to grasp an artist’s full portfolio. While Escher attempted to resolve this issue for the digital art editions market, Sotheby’s Metaverse has emerged as the first mover for 1/1s, offering a significant advantage for collectors.

The Future of NFT Marketplaces: Sotheby’s Metaverse marks a new era in NFT marketplaces, providing a much-needed solution to fragmentation in the digital art world. For this innovative platform to truly succeed, however, it’s crucial for NFTs to be listed and actively traded. Keep an eye on Sotheby’s Metaverse as it continues to evolve and shape the future of the NFT ecosystem.

Sotheby’s Art and NFTs

Sotheby’s, founded in 1744, is one of the world’s most prestigious auction houses, specializing in fine art, jewelry, and collectibles. With its headquarters in New York City and locations in numerous other cities around the globe, Sotheby’s has a long-standing reputation for connecting collectors with rare and valuable items.

Sotheby’s and NFTs:

In recent years, Sotheby’s has recognized the growing significance of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and digital art in the contemporary art market. As a result, the auction house has made several moves to embrace and support the NFT ecosystem:

1. Natively Digital Auction: In June 2021, Sotheby’s held its first NFT auction called “Natively Digital: A Curated NFT Sale.” This groundbreaking event featured works from various digital artists, including a rare piece by the pseudonymous artist Pak and the first-ever NFT created by Kevin McCoy, “Quantum.” The auction signaled Sotheby’s commitment to the burgeoning digital art market.
2. Collaboration with Pak: In April 2021, Sotheby’s collaborated with digital artist Pak to auction “The Fungible Collection,” a series of NFTs that explored the concept of value in digital art. The auction attracted widespread attention and generated millions of dollars in sales, further cementing Sotheby’s position in the NFT space.
3. World of Women NFT Auction: In August 2021, Sotheby’s hosted the “World of Women” NFT auction, showcasing a collection of digital art celebrating women’s empowerment and diversity. The auction aimed to promote gender equality and support female artists in the NFT community.

Sotheby’s has demonstrated its willingness to evolve and adapt to new trends in the art world by embracing NFTs and digital art. The launch of Sotheby’s Metaverse, a secondary marketplace for digital art, marks yet another significant step in the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the rapidly changing art market.

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Exciting news for art lovers and NFT enthusiasts! The Western Art Dept, founded by artists Jeremey Booth and Niko Kampouris, has just announced its first-ever NFT auction. The auction will feature unique 1/1 works from multiple artists and will take place on the Foundation platform starting May 9th.

Robert Hagan is a highly respected artist with a long and impressive career. He was born in the UK in 1947 and has been painting professionally since the 1970s. Hagan is known for his vibrant and expressive style, which blends realism and impressionism. He has worked as a commercial illustrator, a gallery artist, and a teacher, and his work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

Hagan has been honored with numerous awards throughout his career, including being named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1986. His work has been featured in several books and magazines, and he has published several instructional books on painting techniques.

Hagan’s art often depicts outdoor scenes, such as landscapes and seascapes, and he has a particular love for painting horses. His works are known for their vivid colors, strong compositions, and lively brushwork. Hagan continues to paint and teach, and his work remains highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

The rodeo is coming to town.

Mark your calendars pic.twitter.com/AeKhAV28N5

— Western Art Dept (@westernartdept) May 3, 2023

The event will kick off with the legendary Robert Hagan, whose work has received worldwide recognition. Following the opening, the auction will expand to include the entire Western Art Dept collection, offering a diverse range of artistic styles and perspectives.

For those interested in the technical details, comprehensive guide and drop details for Boots and Boots burns will be revealed soon. This is an exciting opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind piece of art and be a part of the growing NFT community.

Stay tuned for more updates from Western Art Dept and get ready to bid on some incredible pieces!

TL;DR summary of the Western Art Dept NFT auction announcement:

• Western Art Dept has announced its first-ever NFT auction featuring 1/1 works from multiple artists.
• The auction will take place on the Foundation platform starting May 9th.
• The event will kick off with legendary artist Robert Hagan, whose work has received worldwide acclaim.
• The auction will expand to include the entire Western Art Dept collection.
• Comprehensive guide and drop details for Boots and Boots burns will be revealed soon

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