Overview

The development of blockchain technology over the last decade has had a far-reaching impact on the creation, ownership and trading of artwork, especially digital art. In an accessibly written text aimed at a broad audience of art-world readers, Valérie C. Whitacre demonstrates how the blockchain (a decentralised, distributed and public digital ledger used to permanently record transactions) continues to revolutionise our understanding of what can be considered a work of art as well as how art can be traded and consumed. Tracing the heritage of so-called ‘Crypto Art' (digital art recorded on the blockchain) to earlier fine-art movements such as Fluxus, Conceptual art, photography and performance, the book shows that different collecting and ownership tools (such as the Certificate of Authenticity) were already established prior to the invention of the blockchain. The breakthrough achieved by blockchain technology, via NFTs (non-fungible tokens), lies both in its power to verify the authenticity, ownership, provenance and value of digital artwork and as a medium on which digital art might be transcribed. Moreover, innovators have begun creating solutions for the technology to further enable the same possibilities for the verification and valuation of physical pieces, challenging some of the most basic precepts of the traditional art market. This book provides insight and inspiration for those working both inside and outside the Crypto Art community, drawing on the innovations of creators, curators and institutions testing the boundaries of the technology.

Full Product Details

9781848227217

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Art on the Blockchain is an excellent primer that reveals the cultural, social and creative impact of blockchain and web3 technologies on art practice, the art market and the institutional landscape of art over the last 10 years, while also demonstrating how the cultural field impacts technological development and adoption. It is an important history and mapping of this transformational cultural moment that makes for vital reading.' - Kay Watson, Head of Arts Technologies, Serpentine 'A sharp, accessible guide to blockchain's creative revolution. With rare authority across web3 and the traditional art world, Whitacre offers a visionary survey of blockchain's creative landscape and the groundbreaking shifts it has enabled in both artistic practice and ownership. A must-read for anyone interested in the evolving relationship between technology and artistic innovation.' - Anne Bracegirdle, co-founder of the Christie's Art + Tech Summit

Author Information

Valérie C. Whitacre is an art-market strategy consultant with experience in the photography market, Fine Art consulting and blockchain-based initiatives. She was previously Head of Art at Trilitech, leading the strategy for art on the Tezos blockchain ecosystem.

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