Renowned digital artist Mike Winkelmann, popularly known as Beeple, recently launched a ground-breaking digital art center Beeple Studios . The 50,000 square foot facility aims to foster a sense of community among non-fungible token (NFT) artists and enthusiasts.
Beeple gained international recognition in March 2021 when his NFT piece “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” sold for a staggering $69.3 million at Christie’s, making it one of the most expensive NFTs ever to be auctioned.
Christie’s has partnered with Beeple to celebrate the grand opening of Beeple Studios, showcasing NFT works by renowned artists such as Fvckrender XCopy, Pak, Victor Duarte and Refik Anadol, etc.
Beeple Studios’ website shows that Winkelmann intends to use the space to create his own art, in addition to housing a 13,000-square-foot gallery and an equally expansive experiential space. The purpose of the studio is to curate various exhibitions of artists and experimental public events.
While not yet open to the general public, Beeple Studios plans to offer gallery visits on a registration basis.
MoCDA – Museum of Contemporary Digital Art – is another platform for promoting digital art
Besides Beeple Studios, the Museum of Contemporary Digital Art (MoCDA) is another initiative that promotes digital art. MoCDA provides digital art education and technology to various stakeholders and exhibits digital artworks to advance the industry.
MoCDA is committed to documenting, preserving and shaping the legacy of digital art, focusing on key areas and promoting digital art through unique curatorial insight and education. Their collections from curated digital artists prioritize things like inclusivity, and they represent a diverse group of digital artists and provide accessibility to the public and exposure for artists.
They aim to promote the understanding of digital art in its unique context, offering an inclusive, future-oriented space for communication and discovery. They strive to set industry standards for the creation, collection, exhibition and viewing of digital art more accessible to everyone .
The impact of Beeple Studios and MoCDA on the legitimization of digital art
The emergence of Beeple Studios and the efforts of MoCDA mark key moments for digital art, especially in the context of NFT. These innovative initiatives have the potential to push digital art into the mainstream, further legitimizing it in the eyes of traditional art connoisseurs.
Beeple Studios’ collaboration with the prestigious auction house Christie’s sends a clear message about the importance of NFT art in the wider art scene.
By offering dedicated spaces for NFT artists to showcase their work, and platforms like MoCDA that focus on education, these initiatives not only bridge the gap between digital and traditional art forms, but also foster a more inclusive and supportive art community.
The availability of registration-based visits to Beeple Studios and MoCDA’s emphasis on education will allow a wider audience to experience NFT art, gradually blurring the divide between the digital and physical art worlds. This cultural shift will play a crucial role in establishing digital art as a legitimate and respected form of artistic expression.
