A Look Inside Sotheby’s NFT Arm

Love art and blockchain? Then here’s your chance to create and exhibit digitally.

The world-famous auction house Sotheby’s has launched GEN.ART, which it describes as “an exclusive platform dedicated to generative art with 5,100 members”, adding that “we provide the technology for artists to release art on the blockchain.”

Built as a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), it will make its voting available to those who connect to it with its wallet. The service will be available in several weeks. At the moment, three wallets are connected to the platform: WalletConnect, Portis, Authereum.

Powered by Art Blocks Engine, a service from Art Blocks that reportedly provides generative art technology as a custom branded solution, at the time of writing, all of the memberships were sold out on the site. However, some of them are still available on the NFT market OpenSea. They include standard and gold ones, priced at $33.33 and $2,036.92 respectively.

The project also has its native coin called $GENART tokens as well as an array of galleries available on the site. Such as Desolate, Arcane, SOBEL, Mutual, and many others.

We decided to visit one of them called Tidal Friction that explores the textures and structures of sand, wind, and tides. The pictures are available on both the site and their respective OpenSea handle, depicting as promised different colors and textures of materials.

Outside of the digital realm, the project also has real-life exhibitions, including in major art hubs like London and LA.

“Our goal is to bring NFTs to non-crypto natives and physical art collectors and enthusiasts,” GEN.ART writes.

One of these physical exhibitions has recently taken place in LA. Dubbed the Immutable – like one of blockchain’s key properties – it explores the world of generative art and NFTs, “delving into a movement that is breaking norms and pushing boundaries.”

According to the site, the work featured in Immutable showcases generative art’s collaboration between artist, algorithm, and collector, and how its digitally native processes navigate constraints and freedom.

Aspiring artists are free to apply on the site by filling out a form where they have to pick the tools they use to create art, describe their expectations from the drop. The project’s creators state that inclusivity is part of their DNA and they want to attract as many artists as possible. 

“So no matter if you’re a painter or a sculptor, an emerging generative artist or an experienced generative artist. We have the framework to support you,” GEN.ART writes.
Previously, GNCrypto shed light on the most expensive NFTs.