South Beach Bound: A New Chapter at BitBasel
BitBasel is set to make a grand return to Miami South Beach, taking over the iconic Sagamore Hotel for an entire week. This exciting event marks a significant milestone, as the last show I participated in with BitBasel was held at the Miami Bitcoin Center in 2019. It’s a privilege to reunite with these pioneers, especially considering the prophetic nature of my keynote address back then. It’s like experiencing déjà vu with a twist of creativity and a dash of chaos akin to Dante’s circles of hell. A commendable battle for the betterment of humanity. Legends only 🚀
Despite the tumultuous journey since those early days, the need to reiterate foundational concepts remains crucial, particularly as the ETH scene continues to face challenges. Fortunately, there are those who understand and support the vision, allowing me to be part of this remarkable journey. My heartfelt thanks to Lecks and Scarlett for including me in the 2024 show.
Back to the Future: Revisiting Decentralization
Reflecting on Decentralization from My 2019 BitBasel Lecture
Back in 2019, my discussions centered around the world’s pressing issues, the need for monetary reform, the evolution of creativity, and the potential of AI to replace low-end professions within five years. I also lamented the art world’s antics, thinking it couldn’t sink lower. How wrong I was—it’s found new depths in the Web3 space. At that time, SuperRare was just beginning, and I naively believed blockchain would bring transparency to the art world. LOL.
Now, both the divine touch and the banana, featured in my 2019 slides, will be presented as a combined artwork at the 2024 BitBasel. The piece critiques the West’s decline and explores ways to rejuvenate it. Embracing the avant-garde is crucial, and I remain committed to this vision. In time, its significance will be evident to all. Meanwhile, I balance roles as an artist and cultural critic—a peculiar yet necessary position.
I’m Potency: Art Meets Technology
The piece “I’m Potency,” infamous from the SuperRare debacle, is set to be showcased. This NFT, accompanied by a physical canvas print painted with acrylics, launches an AR animation. I recently penned an article titled “Proof of Censorship” on this subject. Here’s the original tweet as my submission for the competition. Price: 6 ETH.
BitRam!
The second piece on display is the live version NFT of the BitRam artwork, offering a fresh take on Bitcoin’s animal lore. As BTC continues its upward trajectory, it carves out a space safe from fiat inflation. The original animation comes with a 2/3 physical, hand-finished canvas art piece that transforms into an AR version via the Artivive app. Price: 9 ETH.
The BitRam physical re-paint (sold 1/3) was exhibited in Switzerland at the Swiss Web3 Conference earlier in 2024 during Art Basel. The 2/3 piece is now available, paired with the unique animation NFT for sale at BitBasel.
Renaissance 360: Exploring the Metaverse
Lecks invited me to showcase metaverse material, and I gladly accepted. A compilation video showcasing some of the finest creations from Asvoria (launching soon), Superworld, and Cornerstone Land will be part of a broader metaverse reel.
Why can’t we explore fundamental questions in art? Why not draw inspiration from excellence, beauty, harmony, and spirit? Instead, we often wallow like pigs with no future. At least pigs derive some benefits, while we reduce ourselves to instinctless creatures.
Program Schedule and Highlights
BitBasel Miami Art Week 2024, running from December 3 to December 8 at the Sagamore Hotel South Beach, offers an exciting fusion of art and technology. This week-long event features a diverse lineup of activities, including exhibitions, panel discussions, and immersive experiences.
Event Highlights:
- December 2: The week kicks off with the ActNowXR Summit, focusing on art’s role in sustainability and impact, followed by the BitBasel VIP Vernissage showcasing fine art masterworks.
- December 3: “Beyond A.I.” explores the future of creativity, delving into artificial intelligence’s influence on art and technology.
- December 4: The Creative Tech Investor Summit brings together leading minds in finance to discuss investment trends at the intersection of art and technology.
- December 5: A day dedicated to special events, providing opportunities for brands and partners to host their activations within the BitBasel framework.
- December 6: “Mooon.Party Vol.2” celebrates art and technology with an unforgettable night featuring top DJs and live performances.
- December 7: The 23rd Iconic Sagamore Brunch presents “The Future of the Arts,” featuring immersive live art, panel discussions, and performances by the South Florida Symphony. Later, the Jayne Pierson Runway Show blends high fashion with artistic innovation.
- December 8: The event concludes with the 305 Pool Party, a vibrant gathering celebrating local impact and community, featuring music and poolside fun.
Ready to be Touched by God?
Throughout the week, attendees can explore “The Gallery,” a curated space showcasing cutting-edge creative expressions in fine art, digital masterpieces, and space-bound art. For more details and ticket information, visit the official BitBasel website.
Proof of Effort: Honoring Artistic Legacy
“T(r)opical” from 2017 marked my first Miami-specific work. The 2/3 re-paint remains available, priced at 1 BTC. I maintained the belief that early works would retain the 1 BTC price when purchased directly from me. However, I had to create new pieces without this price tag, as the scene considers 10k “fuck you money” for art. These pieces hold historical significance, so if you’re interested, I salute you! Only through proof of collector effort can you access them.
Special thanks to Moe Levin, the North American Bitcoin Conference founder, for granting me my first art showcase in January 2018. It’s cool to have a friend in Joel from the Bad Crypto Podcast, lurking in the background 😂 The 1/50 signed print was gifted to Moe. At 100k, the 6×3 foot re-paints remain affordable compared to what some of the earliest holistic works will eventually cost.
VESACrypto Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer. All links to physical, NFTs, and more below.
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