Let’s embrace it!

Walkthearts in Florence while visiting Palazzo Strozzi Let's Get Digital

Last summer in Florence, during Studio Italia, I was skeptical when I bought my ticket for the exhibition Let’s Get Digital NFTs and Innovation in Digital Art. I had to know if NFT art is and will be a fad or not. In Canada’s national capital (Ottawa) art world, I kept hearing that it is not going to last, it’s all smoke and mirrors, ya-ya-ya, etc. So, I entered the Palazzo Strozzi with an open mind. I saw the works, I read everything on the walls, and I came out of the exhibition thinking “It is here to stay.” From that moment, on la Via de’ Tomabuoni, I felt compelled as an art historian and art educator to embrace this new reality. Didn’t we do it for Pop Art and Conceptual Art in the late ’50s and ‘60s?

Back in Canada, I got informed of this new vision of art currently turning everything upside down. I have followed an excellent two-day seminar on the question, taken an NFT class on Udemy, and while in New York City, I bought at the MoMA the last copy of The Story of NFTs. I am currently devouring this book ¾ summary to come in another post. Indeed! NFTs are here to stay!

Believe it or not, I am now curating an NFT exhibit on behalf of BRAVO, a small art organization in Ontario. We received a modest grant from the Arts Council of Ontario. The money is not yet in the bank, but the call to artists has been completed. We have enough money for a maximum of 7 curious artists to partake in this adventure with us. This grant is conditional on the work being shown in a public gallery member of the Ontario Art Galleries Association.

I have already approached a few galleries, but all seem hesitant ¾ one already declined. It seems they have the very same doubts I had before visiting the show in Florence. I also felt a flicker of apprehension, and for valid reasons: artist’s rights, presentation issues, reception from the public … It is true that it takes courage to present such an exhibition in POGGish Ontario. But isn’t the role of art to fuel new ideas and new visions? I will always persevere in my “apostolate”, to lead people to the love of Art.

Of course that more public galleries in Ontario will be contacted. However, all of you, who belong to the Walk the Arts community around the world, can you help me bring this exhibit to your place? All I need is a small alcove of 20 × 20 feet. There are no artworks to be transported since they are on the blockchain; tablets or printed works suffice. It is an easy show to put up, but with a difficult concept to apprehend. But as soon as you understand NFTs, I assure you that you will fall in love with this new way of seeing and acquiring art. I strongly recommend everyone to fully embrace it!

by Yves M. Larocque (Ph.D.) | Apr 11, 2023 | Art | Religion | Theory, Art History, painting workshops Italy France

17 Comments

HYACINTH PAUL on April 12, 2023 at 3:53 pm

I think this is here to stay and I’m glad you are doing this. I will check with my local galleries if they would give us the space. Thank you!

Reply
- Yves M. Larocque on April 13, 2023 at 4:54 pm
  
  Merci Hyacinth.
  
  Reply
- Nancy Brandsma on April 17, 2023 at 8:48 pm
  
  I submitted for this project. In all honesty I don’t understand NFTs but I am an artist and I am curious and willing to learn and explore this new avenue with the group. I hope to he part of it. Great article Yves…you truly are avant-garde!
  
  Reply
  - Yves M. Larocque on April 20, 2023 at 3:31 pm
    
    Thank You very much Nancy!
    
    Reply
Peter Iveson iveson on April 12, 2023 at 4:11 pm

Do not know what to think?

Reply
- Yves M. Larocque on April 13, 2023 at 4:53 pm
  
  Peter! Think of something. 🙂
  
  Reply
Luc Alain on April 12, 2023 at 5:50 pm

Fascinant! Merci pour ce post. Une exposition NFT serait-elle possible en 2024 à La Fab à Chelsea?

Je peux mener la charge!

Reply
- Yves M. Larocque on April 13, 2023 at 4:52 pm
  
  Of course. Tu mènes à la charge.
  
  Reply
Michelle Havenstein on April 12, 2023 at 5:58 pm

Hi Yves, interesting article, but I don’t actually know what NFTs are. Can you explain a little?

Reply
- Yves M. Larocque on April 13, 2023 at 4:52 pm
  
  Just follow this class on Udemy, and you will understand everything. “NFT MASTERY for Creators – Beginner to Advanced 2022 Course”.
  
  Reply
Sarah Cowling on April 12, 2023 at 6:26 pm

I am not sure about NFTs but how about the Satellite Gallery in London?

Reply
- Yves M. Larocque on April 13, 2023 at 4:50 pm
  
  That would be great! Is the gallery a member of the Ontario Gallery Association? Would you be ready to be our link?
  
  Reply
  - Sarah Cowling on April 14, 2023 at 12:41 pm
    
    Hi Yves, I am not sure about whether it is a member of the Ontario Gallery Association but it is affiliated with Museum London, Fanshawe College and Western university. You can find it on google and I would be happy to help. Let me know
    
    Reply
Carole Ince on April 12, 2023 at 7:40 pm

I think this is very exciting and I am grateful for your inspiration to explore and take a deep dive into NFT’s!!!

Reply
Paula Zoubek on April 13, 2023 at 6:46 am

I am open to the concept but know virtually nothing about it. Need to learn more. Thank you Ives for reminding me of it.

Reply
Enzo Medaglia on April 13, 2023 at 11:01 am

Thanks for the update, never really paid that much attention to NFTs, but will try to keep an open mind

Reply
Yves on April 13, 2023 at 4:44 pm

Thank you very much, Hyacinth.

Reply

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