Hybrid Use Case for Bridging Two Worlds of Art: a Launchpad Proposal

When it comes to art, there exists two separate worlds. There is the traditional art world of museums, galleries, collectors, and auction houses who pride themselves on selling unique, often one of a kind, works of art. These typically fall into the fine art domains of painting and sculpture. Then, there is the digital art world that struggles to have works represented in the mainstream art world. Here a problem exists that the world of collectors, galleries, and artists have long faced, that is, how to collect and sell digital art that can be copied exactly and easily reproduced.

Interestingly enough, provenance has not simply been a problem for digital art. It is an enormous undertaking for collectors of traditional art to authenticate them. Often, there are broken chains of provenance. Authentication involves verifying the legitimacy of an artwork and establishing its connection to a particular artist. This complex process requires investigating the work's origin, authorship, and historical importance. Given the rise in art forgeries and the sophistication of modern forgers, a robust and thorough approach to art authentication is essential.

NFTs offer a technical solution for both worlds. Each NFT is unique and cannot be copied, i.e., it is copyright protected both technically and contractually. When it comes to the resale of digital art, there is provenance of ownership that is incontrovertible because of the unique architecture of crypto blockchains. However, simply owning an ethereal work of art, tied to a smart contract on the blockchain is not satisfying for most collectors. They want and need something concrete and real.

What is needed is a hybrid environment that bridges both worlds. A digital work of art can benefit from having a physical counterpart. On the other side, a physical work of art can benefit from having the indisputable proof of provenance and ownership on the blockchain. This proposal does exactly that. It bridges the needs of both worlds.

The proposal is to create a smart contract that enables the authentication of physical works of art through the use of NFT technology. Here we create a digital copy and passport of the physical artwork and anchor it to the blockchain, linking it to the artwork via an encrypted, tamper proof, NFC tag. This tag can be read with a smart phone to retrieve the NFT metadata for verification and authentication. In like manner we can also create a physical work of art from its digital counterpart and tie the two together on the blockchain, linking the physical and digital art together with the NFC tag. The following graphic illustrates the workflow for this process.

Figure: Hybrid Use Case

Of note, there are two things that can expand the market reach for such works of art and again facilitate bridging the two worlds. One is to overcome the vertical complexity and diversity of crypto blockchains. The other is facilitating purchase of the smart contract’s physical and digital artwork with not only crypto but also fiat currency, credit cards and custodial wallets. Not everyone has a digital wallet for buying NFTs, nor wants one. Secure custodial wallets offer blockchain transactions for such buyers, thus increasing the market’s potential. If desired, the buyer can transfer the NFT from the custodial wallet to another crypto wallet.

In this proposal, I have partnered with a company, heavily tied to the traditional artworld, Arteia. This group provides the creation of a digital passport that is anchored on the blockchain and linked to the physical art with an NFC tag. I have also worked with the Silicon Valley group, Crossmint, whose APIs support the selling of NFTs across various blockchains, credit cards, Apple and Google Pay. They offer custodial wallets for non-technical buyers. The intent is to integrate the technologies of both groups into this proposal’s smart contract. A smart contract for the above workflow has been developed. It needs slight modifications to integrate with Crossmint’s APIs.

Finally, in order to be truly effective in both worlds, it is important to support another type of authentication. That of the curator and critic who has the unique ability to frame for the collector the authentic esthetic nature of the work of art and what truly distinguishes it for recognition within the art world community. To that extent I have created 42 works of art that will be sold in a limited edition of five prints each. I have enlisted the aid of a longtime friend, curator and art critic, Max Chevron. Max provides a keen set of eyes and eloquent descriptions of the artwork. I have developed an art book with the collection’s title “Hybrids: An Amalgam of the Ages”. This book is available as a bonus offer for first collectors of a series or investors. The Virtual exhibition of the artwork, titles and descriptions can be viewed here.

This collection of work was born from a lifelong fascination with the entwined paths of human consciousness and extraterrestrial/dimensional contact. The fruits of over a year-long journey through procedural digital sorcery, they reflect an amalgam of the ages—where ancient wisdom converges with the future's untold possibilities.

"Hybrids" represents the fusion of different realms of experience and knowledge—specifically, the intersection of human consciousness with extraterrestrial or dimensional contact. It symbolizes the blending of the mystical or otherworldly with the human experience.

“An Amalgam of the Ages” symbolically conveys a rich tapestry where different eras of thought and wisdom merge. The artworks draw from both ancient insights and futuristic possibilities, creating a dialogue between past and future.

The title encapsulates the exploration of how human consciousness, and extraterrestrial or dimensional themes intertwine. It reflects a journey where ancient wisdom and future potentials converge in a digital and surreal artistic expression. The works’ titles poetically suggests a synthesis of timeless and futuristic elements, bridging the gap between the known and the unknown. In essence, the exhibition is a creative exploration of how humanity’s understanding and imagination evolve, integrating ancient mystical traditions with speculative future visions through innovative digital art forms.

In this new era of art, where virtual spaces and digital tools redefine the boundaries of creativity, I find a deep resonance with the ever-changing nature of human inquiry. I hope that “Hybrids: An Amalgam of the Ages” represents not just a fusion of the old and the new, but also an invitation to engage with art in ways that surpass conventional limits. I feel it’s an attestation to how technology can expand our creative horizons and connect us with timeless themes through new forms. As we navigate this evolving landscape, the essence of art remains a powerful force for revelation and connection, transcending the boundaries of both observer and creator, art’s mysterious ministry.

—    John Anderson

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