Stefan Heidenreich

Limassol, Cyprus, 04.11. at NeMe

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Initially, every new technology is used to support old content. This also counts for NFTs. Their main task was to emulate the cult of the exclusivity that currently dominates the art world. A »non fungible token« is a declaration of exclusivity. Crypto technologies could offer much more productive applications for the arts. To recognize them, one needs to give a closer look at the modernist conditions of cultural economy.

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Historically, modern art emerges together with the art market in the 19th century. It promotes the exclusive and unique work of art as an apex of private property. For that purpose, artisanal non-reproductive techniques of the 18. century were being preserved. Modernism has always favored conservative modes of production.

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The art market serves the collectors. Their preferences define not only the price, but also cultural values and the selection of works in exhibitions. Public judgment was rendered completely irrelevant. At the beginning of the 21st century, the art production overwhelmingly caters to big collectors, philanthropists or oligarchs. Their cult of exclusivity has conquered the globalized art and its markets in what may best described as cultural colonialism.

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From that viewpoint, there are some political and cultural tasks to which crypto-technologies could make important contributions.

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– Democratic modes of exhibition making should be empowered in order to balance the monopoly of the big collectors and of the curators who by and large serve their interests. The public should be enabled to decide what is to be shown in public venues and in institutions funded with tax payers’ money.

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– Artistic production should be liberated from the commitment to exclusivity and originality, and should adapt to new standards and formats that favor copies, imitations, and remixes.

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– Around the globe, artistic practices which were suppressed and marginalized by the art market should be explored, discovered, and reactivated.

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Crypto-technology can support all these cases, for example by tracking viewers’ preferences and mapping public recognition. Crypto tools could help organize and promote democratic modes of exhibition making. Smart contracts may encourage artistic reuse.