The style and theme of art is always in a state of constant evolution. However, how it is presented and consumed has always been the same — in the physical world, whether through exhibits or actual performances. The emergence of blockchain technology and Web3, however, has resulted in a new way of enjoying and owning different art forms through non-fungible tokens or NFTs.
NFTs are designed as a way for digital files to be secured in a way that ensures ownership and creates scarcity. Like physical art, an NFT can be sold but the artist can retain the copyright, or they can offer it to the buyer, or decide on a percentage of secondary sales an owner can have. This is a boon for any artist, but navigating this new scene can be daunting for many.
To help artists understand what NFTs are and how it can be used by them, this year’s Pilipinas Shell’s Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) Virtual Art Interact Sessions brought together NFT artists Jopet Arias and NSAC alumni Aldrine Alarcon to discuss their experience with NFTs as well as how to create one’s own NFTs.
Alarcon likened the collection of digital art with the collection of skins in the popular online game DOTA. “Many players buy skins, avatars and arcanas for their characters, correct? Well, what you’re buying are digital assets. This is the same as when art collectors buy NFTs. They also buy digital assets, in this case, artworks,” he said.
Arias also shared his process for creating and minting his works. He uses a variety of tools such as photoshop, procreate, and even using AI-assisted tools to create effects and details that would otherwise be difficult to do. The finished artwork is then minted on an NFT marketplace of the artist’s choice as part of their collection.
There are also galleries such as Meatspace which is a Web3 art gallery where Filipino NFT artists can show their works to a wider crowd. “Digital art is now widely accepted here in the Philippines. In the past, it was rare for digital artists to have their works shown in physical galleries. But now, digital artists have realized that they too can do their own shows or put up an exhibit,” Alarcon shared.
