The Exposition NFT merges the athletic accomplishments of Andy Murray with the modern artistry of Refik Anadol, creating a one-of-a-kind digital piece.
Andy Murray is a distinguished professional tennis player hailing from the UK, who has earned a multitude of titles on the global platform, Wimbledon being one among them. Collaboratively created by Wimbledon's digital products division, the official partner FAN3, and the technology-focused artist Refik Anadol, The Exposition NFT is built on the concept of blending human potential and computational capabilities. Real-world materials provide the base for data visualizations brought to life via algorithms.
Over a year in the making, we are so proud to share this with the world,© FAN3, the official partner and curator of The Exposition NFT.
At the project's outset, the development team collected a wealth of information on Andy Murray's professional career, taking into account his performance data, multiple motion-capture sessions, and various audio and video material. Following this, a novel algorithm, co-developed with IBM, transfigured the data into a striking, abstract representation. The culmination of this process resulted in The Exposition, a dynamic non-fungible token (NFT) that encapsulates thousands of metrics associated with the acclaimed tennis player. The token was purposefully released on July 7, 2023, to mark the tenth anniversary of the British player's last Wimbledon triumph.
The Exposition NFT. Source: The official Manifold Studio website
Users of the Manifold Studio platform can acquire the NFT on the Ethereum blockchain in an unlimited capacity until July 16. The cost for each is $147, with payment options including credit cards or cryptocurrency through any mainstream wallet. Ownership of this NFT entails more than just possessing a piece of historical legacy; holders are also granted the exclusive right to receive a physical copy produced by Avant Arte, a company dedicated to crafting tangible editions of digital releases.
At Wimbledon we are always seeking different ways to engage with our audiences, reach new fans and find innovations that can honour our traditions whilst evolving with the world around us,© Chris Clements, the Digital Products Lead at Wimbledon.
In years past, Andy Murray has made ventures into the realm of blockchain technology. Two years prior, the renowned tennis player partnered with the crypto platform WENEW to debut a collection honoring his Wimbledon victory in 2013. The principal NFT fetched a remarkable $177,777, subsequently followed by the sale of over 600 additional non-fungible tokens, each representing distinct memorable moments of the tournament, priced up to $5000.
Despite his previous ventures, Murray confessed at the time that his understanding of cryptocurrencies and blockchain was limited, though he planned to broaden his knowledge. True to his word, Murray has continued to delve into these emergent technologies, aligning himself with trends set by the tennis industry and beyond. In line with an official statement, the team anticipates expanding this project further, incorporating fresh data from the ongoing championship. These will probably be presented in the form of another captivating NFT.
