Renowned art collector Pablo Rodríguez-Fraile offers his perspective on the future trajectory of digital art and NFTs in a discussion.
In Brief
During this engaging interview, Pablo discusses the Beyond Digital exhibition, elaborates on the curatorial process, shares insights on his favorite artists, and explores what's next for digital art and NFTs.
In a conversation with Metaverse Post, Pablo Rodríguez-Fraile discusses his journey as a collector and curator of the newly launched exhibition Beyond Digital, which showcases innovative works in the digital art sphere.
Taking place at Venus Over Manhattan in New York, this exhibition will be accessible until March 14. It highlights striking works from legendary digital artists like Beeple, Refik Anadol, Pak, and XCOPY, marking the first-ever showcase of a unified collection of digital art within a contemporary gallery setting.
Beyond Digital In this insightful exchange, Pablo delves into his views on NFTs, the curatorial process, his preferred artists, and the anticipated evolution of digital art.
This interview has been condensed for brevity and clarity.
What inspired the concept behind Beyond Digital?
The notion for Beyond Digital emerged naturally from fruitful discussions. Collaborating with Adam Lindemann, the proprietor of Venus Over Manhattan, we recognized an opportunity to curate something unprecedented. This exhibition is a fully tokenized secondary show housed in a reputable gallery and centers around the art itself, showcasing a diverse range of fields within the NFT ecosystem. My aim was to illuminate the creative value inherent in the art aspect of NFTs.
Do you believe that people outside the NFT and crypto communities are showing interest in digital art?
I've had the chance to speak with several traditional collectors, and many of them are already exploring ways to engage with the digital art scene. The enthusiasm is palpable, and there's a lot of movement and transactions taking place.
Our motivation for organizing this exhibition is to broaden our audience. We aspire to connect with more traditional collectors and shine a light on the phenomenal creators contributing to this thrilling artistic narrative.
How do you go about selecting artists and artworks for your collections, and what was your approach for Beyond Digital?
The current landscape is so vibrant and full of creative talent. Numerous artists are producing remarkable works and exciting projects. While raw talent is essential, I believe that achieving success also requires mastery of artistic tools, dedication, and a clear vision of one's artistic journey and goals.
It's a privilege to be in an era where artists are active and present, allowing for direct engagement, which sets this apart from the more traditional art world. We’re not just focused on a single piece but rather look to understand the artist's full body of work.
In curating Beyond Digital, we emphasized selecting standout works from various artistic domains, aiming for the most prestigious and sought-after pieces in their respective areas.
From an artistic perspective, do you think digital art might miss certain spiritual elements? For instance, the physical brushstrokes that invite deep admiration?
Artists these days employ different tools and techniques for creation. Regardless, the essence remains the same: the act of creating art, leading to an outcome that is, indeed, art.
Take note of artists like Beeple. Some appreciate his work deeply, while others may not grasp it fully. Nonetheless, he is undeniably a creator who crafts social commentary and satire in a powerful way that speaks to emotions.
We can take Beeple He harnesses groundbreaking technology and innovation to produce visually captivating AI-driven pieces, with many of his works imbued with depth, emotion, and a unique feeling.
Same thing with Refik Anadol You purchased Beeple's iconic piece \"Everydays: The First 5,000 Days\" back in 2020, selling it later for $6.6 million before it fetched an astonishing $69.3 million at Christie’s in March 2021. What would you attribute to Beeple’s immense success?
When Beeple entered the NFT arena, he was clearly already an established, recognized, and committed artist. 'Everydays' reflects a continuous creative endeavor he has maintained for thirteen years. He just needed the opportunity to monetize his creations and build a collecting audience around them.
Beeple also managed to transcend simple tokenization and produce some truly groundbreaking works in the realm of digital art. His piece 'Human One' is a significant milestone in this context.
Beeple's work, such as 'HUMAN ONE,' which raked in $28,985,000 at auction, encapsulates his vision. He plans to continuously add to this living artwork, reacting to current events and making it eternally relevant.
Which artists should we keep an eye on in the digital arena?
There is a wealth of talent I truly admire.
One standout is recognized as a highly sophisticated artist, with peers also citing him among the top creators adept at digital crafting. Another noteworthy artist to watch is a contemporary digital impressionist. Sofia Crespo , in my opinion, is incredible. Andres Reisinger What do you foresee as the future of NFTs and digital art? Davide Quayola I believe NFTs and digital art will eventually become commonplace. Artists today are focused on launching thoughtfully conceived projects, and I anticipate a rise in art-focused platforms and organizations that prioritize creative expression. NFTs will be universally acknowledged and accepted as a legitimate way to collect digital art or any digital asset.
In terms of short-to-medium term activity regarding NFTs, I expect a slowdown. However, I am confident that the digital assets we value today will gain increased reverence, similar to classic artworks that hold significance in the traditional art world of yesteryears.
Are there any forthcoming exhibitions or projects on the horizon?
We are collaborating to support various individual artist releases alongside Venus Over Manhattan.
I am incredibly eager to team up with the legendary Adam and to host the very first digital exhibition within an established gallery context.
We’ve meticulously curated an array of pieces by our favorite digital artists.
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