Sigg Foundation, TAEX, and Tezos Showcase NFTs at Basel’s Digital Art Mile

In a landmark event for the digital art community, the Sigg Art Foundation, TAEX, and Tezos joined forces to present an extraordinary showcase of NFTs at the Digital Art Mile in Basel. This innovative digital art market was held concurrently with Art Basel, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs, marking a significant debut for NFT-focused artists, collectors, and curators in this historic Swiss city.

Transforming Rebgasse into a Digital Art Hub

From June 10-16, Rebgasse, a street near Messeplatz in Basel, was transformed into a vibrant exhibition space for contemporary and historical digital art. The event featured internationally renowned galleries and NFT platforms presenting their collections across various venues, creating a dynamic fusion of traditional and digital art forms. Prominent exhibitors included Objkt, fx(hash), Fellowship, MakersPlace, Cinello, RCM Galerie, ArtXCode, Office Impart, TAEX, Danae, Sigg Art Foundation, GENAP Collection, and Blackdove.

Highlight Exhibitions and Artistic Collaborations

Sigg Art Foundation

The Sigg Art Foundation, founded by longtime art collector Pierre Sigg in 2020, showcased works from pioneering digital artists such as Grégory Chatonsky, Justin Aversano, Ben Elliot, and Bernar Venet. Chatonsky’s “Terre Seconde” installation, originally exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo in 2019, was a highlight. This AI-integrated artwork is generated from millions of online data points, creating a dynamic, modular reimagining of our planet.

Justin Aversano presented unique works from his global travels, including his renowned 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.

Bernar Venet’s collaboration with Sotheby’s showcased 500 algorithmic artworks, reflecting a recurring theme of algorithmic art across many exhibits.

Tezos Foundation

The Tezos Foundation highlighted two main 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, a pioneer of cybernetic choreography, to present an interactive exhibit where visitors could transform their movements into generative NFTs on the Tezos blockchain.

Fx(hash), a generative art platform, curated code-based artworks exploring the intersections of digital and physical art forms. In collaboration with OFFICE IMPART, fx(hash) presented “Bit Operations” by Swedish artist Jonas Lund, which examined computer foundations through bit-shifting operations. This project included both an online generative collection and limited edition tangible works.

TAEX

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 presented “Collaborations with the Artificial Self,” an ambitious exhibition surveying AI’s impact on art. It honored Harold Cohen, a 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

The Digital Art Mile also featured a series of conferences and screenings at the Kult.Kino Camera. Daily discussions covered topics such as generative art, blockchain as an art medium, and the integration 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, creators of Cryptopunks.

Conclusion

The first edition of the Digital Art Mile in Basel successfully showcased the expanding role of digital art within the global art ecosystem. By bridging traditional and digital art forms, the event fostered a deeper understanding of NFTs and generative art. This groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone for digital artists, collectors, and enthusiasts, setting the stage for future innovations and collaborations in the digital art world.