This year in Basel, the Sigg Art Foundation, Digital Art Mile, TAEX, and Tezos collaborated to spotlight the burgeoning significance of digital art within the global art scene. The Digital Art Mile, an innovative digital art market, was held concurrently with the renowned Art Basel, marking a significant debut for NFT-focused artists, collectors, and curators in this esteemed Swiss locale.
Transforming Rebgasse into a Digital Art Hub
The event, held from June 10-16, transformed Rebgasse, near Messeplatz in Basel, into a lively exhibition space for both contemporary and historical digital art. Internationally acclaimed galleries and NFT platforms presented their collections across various venues, creating a dynamic fusion of traditional and digital art throughout the week.
The inaugural Digital Art Mile featured prominent exhibitors such as Objkt, fx(hash), Fellowship, MakersPlace, Cinello, RCM Galerie, ArtXCode, Office Impart, TAEX, Danae, Sigg Art Foundation, GENAP Collection, and Blackdove. The Sigg Art Foundation, established in 2020 by veteran art collector Pierre Sigg, showcased pioneering digital artists like Grégory Chatonsky, Justin Aversano, Ben Elliot, and Bernar Venet.
Bernar Venet and Sotheby’s Collaboration
Bernar Venet’s work, presented in partnership with Sotheby’s, featured a collection of 500 algorithmic artworks, reflecting a recurring theme across many digital displays. Grégory Chatonsky introduced an updated version of his AI-integrated installation, “Terre Seconde”, which was initially displayed at the Palais de Tokyo in 2019. This installation, generated from millions of data points sourced online, offers a modular, dynamic reimagining of our planet.
American artist Justin Aversano presented unique works from his global travels, including photographs of twins from around the world. Ben Elliot showcased “Metaone”, a virtual reality project produced by VIVE Arts with support from Esther Schipper Gallery in Berlin, depicting a futuristic virtual paradise where history, nature, technology, and science converge.
Tezos Foundation’s Impact
The Tezos Foundation highlighted two key platforms in its ecosystem: Objkt and fx(hash). Objkt hosted the “Matter & Data” exhibition featuring works by 17 international artists and collaborated with Analivia Cordeiro to present an interactive exhibit where visitors could transform their movements into generative NFTs on the Tezos blockchain.
The generative art platform fx(hash) curated code-based artworks exploring the intersections of digital and physical art forms. In collaboration with OFFICE IMPART, they presented “Bit Operations” by Swedish artist Jonas Lund, which examined computer foundations through bit-shifting operations. This project included an online generative collection and curated limited edition tangible works.
TAEX and Krista Kim’s Digital Zen Landscape
The digital art platform and agency TAEX showcased “Continuum” by Krista Kim, a digital Zen landscape created as a response to technological distractions. This collection of 10 unique NFTs invites collectors to engage with meditative visuals inspired by the serene Ryoanji Temple Garden in Kyoto.
Fellowship’s extensive event space presented “Collaborations with the Artificial Self”, a pioneering survey of AI’s impact on recent art history. The exhibition honored Harold Cohen, the pioneer of AI in art, and featured works by artists like Botto, Mario Klingemann, Helena Sarin, and Robbie Barrat, illustrating the rapid evolution of AI technology in the digital art realm.
Conferences and Screenings
In addition to the exhibitions, the Kult.Kino Camera hosted daily conferences discussing topics such as generative art, blockchain as an art medium, and the incorporation of Web3 into museums. Highlights included the European debut of the documentary film “What the Punk!” and a video about Matt Hall and John Watkinson, the creators of Cryptopunks.
The first edition of the Digital Art Mile successfully showcased the expanding role of digital art within the global art ecosystem, bridging traditional and digital art forms and fostering a deeper understanding of NFTs and generative art. This event marked a significant milestone for digital artists, collectors, and enthusiasts, setting the stage for future innovations and collaborations in the digital art world.