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    The Metaforum between NFT and Metaverse takes place in Lugano

    The first edition of “Metaforum” will take place in Lugano on June 13th at the LAC museum, where speakers from around the world will talk about NFTs and Metaverse.

    Finlantern, in collaboration with The Cryptonomist, will showcase in Lugano, the first conference that talks about Crypto Art, NFTs and Metaverse.

    The appointment is for all crypto enthusiasts, but also for those who want to extend the most current issues of this sector together with great professionals.

    In addition to a part with the stands for sponsors and partners of the event, Metaforum will have three stages where Italian and international speakers, with personalities perhaps never seen in Europe, will alternate themselves to talk to the crowd. Amongst them, the CEO and co-founder of SuperRare John Crain.

    On the main stage there will be leading names such as Andrea Concas, creator, and founder of The NFT Magazine, and Marco Montemagno influencer and entrepreneur with MontyLab NFT. There will also be moments of attention to legal and fiscal regulations together with Avv. Massimo Simbula and the accountant Stefano Capaccioli.

    Plenty of space will also be dedicated to the Metaverse, with numerous panels that will present the many opportunities for brands, gaming and creative along with exceptional guests such as Alessandro De Grandi, CEO of The Nemesis. 

    The event will last a whole day and will be held at the LAC museum right in front of the lake. A unique location to address contemporary topics such as metaverses, Defi and blockchain as well as Crypto Art and NFTs.

    During the day dedicated to Metaforum also the Crypto Art will be at home, thanks to an exhibition that will put on show the NFTs of some of the most important artists of the art scene such as Skygolpe, Giovanni Motta, Federico Clapis, Dangiuz and many others.

    To attend the event you can use the following discount codes to get 20% off ticket prices:

    METAVIS22CRYPTONOMIST: coupon for visitor ticket CHF 230 

    METAVIP22CRYPTONOMIST: coupon for VIP ticket CHF 390 

    METASUP22CRYPTONOMIST: coupon for supervip ticket CHF 550

    Gian Maria Tosatti and the Italian Pavilion 2022

    Gian Maria Tosatti. Storia della Notte e Destino delle Comete. Padiglione Italia, Biennale Arte, Venezia 2022. Courtesy DGCC – MiC
    Gian Maria Tosatti. Storia della Notte e Destino delle Comete. Padiglione Italia, Biennale Arte, Venezia 2022. Courtesy DGCC – MiC

    For the first time, the Italian Pavilion at the 2022 Art Biennale is entirely dedicated to the work of Gian Maria Tosatti, presenting “History of the Night and Destiny of Comets”, under the curatorship of Eugenio Viola. This exhibition is a profound reflection on humanity’s present time and its future directions, exploring narrative complexities through various artistic forms. It is proposed as an experience that guides visitors through a journey of awareness and introspection on contemporary challenges and the future of human civilization.

    Tosatti investigates the balance between man and nature, sustainable development, and the relationship between ethics and profit, connecting directly to the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. His work reflects on issues such as health, education, environmental protection, and sustainability, proposing a constructive criticism of current models of consumption and production.

    The exhibition, with an approach reminiscent of the theatrical structure, divides the narrative into two main acts and a prologue, offering a symbolic vision of Italian industrialization and its environmental and social consequences. The last segment of the work confronts us with the power of nature, through the image of a tumultuous sea that laps the walls of the exhibition, underlining man’s vulnerability in the face of extreme natural events.

    The final message is one of hope, symbolized by the presence of fireflies which, despite the environmental devastation, continue to shine, suggesting a possible peaceful coexistence between humanity and the planet. The work ends on a note of deep reflection, inviting visitors to consider their actions and their impact on the world.

    The Biennial also becomes a forum for debate on these crucial themes, with meetings and conferences that enrich the exhibition experience, involving the public in a global discussion on alternative models of life and development.

    author: Eleonora Brizi

    Photo credits: Gian Maria Tosatti. Storia della Notte e Destino delle Comete. Padiglione Italia, Biennale Arte, Venezia 2022. Courtesy DGCC – MiC

    Bulova enters the Metaverse with D-CAVE

    Bulova enters the Metaverse with D-CAVE

    When electronic and quartz watches began growing in popularity throughout the late 70’s and 80’s, Bulova responded to the increasing demand for digital timekeepers with a line of watches featuring digital LCD time displays, and eventually releasing the all-digital Computron LED. With its very unconventional and futuristic trapezoidal case with LED display on the side, one of the most iconic digital watches of all time was born.

    Though today’s digitally native audience is fascinated with everything OG, it was not around when the original Computron took the market by storm. Hence Bulova’s partnership with D-CAVE, the lifestyle metaverse marketplace for the new digitally minded community, to develop two new Computron LED watches including one Special Edition version. 

    The Computron was reinterpreted for D-CAVE evolving its original design by adding visual concepts inspired by the gaming world, and will be launched embracing the full spectra of the metaverse, endorsed by the world’s top gamers and presented in a dedicated space in Decentraland. 

    Users will be able to have access to the physical watch through a unique NFT drop that will grant several other utilities, a wearable version to use on their avatars in Decentraland, and access to all future NFT drops of D-CAVE.

    “For over 145 years, Bulova has been about innovating and exploring new worlds,” says Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch America. “Through our partnership with D-CAVE and the iconic Computron, Bulova interfaces with the metaverse and the gaming universe, allowing us to reach new consumers and opportunities.”

    Stefano Rosso, Founder and CEO of D-CAVE states, “We are very excited to have the opportunity to work on an iconic item like Bulova’s Computron and re-interpret it in a futuristic way, bridging the original physical item to its new virtual version. Metaverse is not a trend, it is a new way of living. Our physical life is and will be more and more integrated with our digital life. And as in real life we want to express who we are also through the brands we love, the same will happen in the metaverse.”

    Bulova’s new Computron D-CAVE watches are the ultimate accessories for gamers and enthusiasts alike. The iconic design is inspired by the gaming culture and features a sleek black IP stainless steel case with luminous green accents on a black silicone strap with 3-piece buckle and a green LED time display with dual time zone capabilities. 

    Priced at $450.

    The Special Edition version features an exhibition mineral crystal case top that showcases the technology’s circuit board. The design is finished with an acid etched sidewall detail inspired by computer towers and features a sleek black IP stainless steel case and matching bracelet with a green LED time display with dual time zone capabilities. It will be available only for the NFT owners. 

    Both watches are presented in a custom box with D-CAVE design elements, featuring a QR Code that will guide users to the dedicated Bulova-D-CAVE space on Decentraland.

    On March 24th, 2022 will be releasing the limited edition D-CAVE x Bulova Computron ‘Special’ edition. The watch, produced in partnership with Bulova, will only be available for purchase of the D-CAVE x Bulova Computron NFT on the minting page at www.dcave.com starting 2PM EST – 7PM CET. A total of 1,000 D-CAVE x Bulova Computron NFTs will be minted, the first 500 will be available at .5 ETH, and after the first 500 NFTs have sold the price will increase to .75 ETH. 

    The NFTs will be available to all, first come, first serve. 

    NFT holders will be granted ownership of the limited edition Computron ‘Special’ edition NFT token, the ability to claim the physical ’Special’ edition D-CAVE x Bulova Computron watch, and access to an exclusive wearable version of the watch which boasts a first-of-its-kind  interactive feature.

    How to Purchase

    The D-CAVE x Bulova Computron will only be available through purchase of the NFT on the official D-CAVE minting site www.dcave.com 

    How to Claim Psychical

    The psychical version of the  D-CAVE x Bulova Computron watch can be claimed at any point after the launch of the Sale.  D-CAVE x Bulova will be providing a Link to the Claim page before the Day-of-Sale where user’s will be able to verify their ownership of the token and insert their shipping address. Users WILL NOT have to pay shipping on the watch

    Wearable Airdrop 

    Following the sale of the NFT,  D-CAVE x Bulova will be taking a Snapshot of all NFT Holders addresses.  

    This will begin the process of Airdropping the Decentraland Wearable version of the D-CAVE x Bulova Computron watch.  D-CAVE x Bulova will be providing exact information regarding the snap shot and Airdrop before the launch of the NFT.

    About D-CAVE

    D-CAVE is the community place for the digital culture savvy, aiming to become the reference lifestyle space for the new Web 3.0 audience, a digital-only space, a consumer marketplace of digital and physical wearables. D-CAVE also provides services as an agency, connecting the metaverse, gaming, fashion and entertainment worlds. For more information, visit www.dcave.com

    Photo Credits: D-CAVE

    La 59ª Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte: Immergersi in “Il Latte dei Sogni”

    La 59ª Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte: Immergersi in “Il Latte dei Sogni”

    Dal 23 aprile al 27 novembre 2022, i Giardini e l’Arsenale di Venezia ospitano la 59ª Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte, intitolata “Il Latte dei Sogni” e curata da Cecilia Alemani. Questa edizione, promossa dalla Biennale di Venezia guidata da Roberto Cicutto, esplora la capacità dell’arte di reinventare la vita attraverso l’immaginazione.

    Verso la Neutralità Carbonica

    La Biennale si impegna per la sostenibilità ambientale, puntando alla certificazione di “neutralità carbonica” per tutte le sue attività, estendendo l’obiettivo già raggiunto nel 2021 con la 78ª Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica.

    Un’Esplorazione Artistica e Tematica

    La mostra coinvolge 213 artisti da 58 paesi, esplorando temi come le metamorfosi dei corpi, la relazione tra tecnologia e individui, e il legame tra l’umanità e la Terra. Cinque mostre tematiche storiche lungo il percorso espositivo offrono una visione trans-storica e trasversale, creando dialoghi tra passato e presente.

    L’Impegno di Cecilia Alemani

    Alemani presenta “Il Latte dei Sogni” come un’opportunità per riflettere sul futuro dell’umanità e le nostre responsabilità verso il pianeta. La mostra, realizzata in un periodo di grande incertezza a causa della pandemia di COVID-19, viene presentata come uno sforzo collettivo verso la coesistenza e la trasformazione.

    Il Contributo di Roberto Cicutto

    Cicutto sottolinea l’importanza della mostra nell’immaginare nuove armonie e soluzioni creative, distanziandosi dall’antropocentrismo, e nel valorizzare la diversità creativa, specialmente di donne e soggetti non binari.

    Partecipazioni Nazionali ed Eventi Collaterali

    La Biennale presenta 80 Partecipazioni Nazionali e 30 Eventi Collaterali, arricchendo la diversità di voci e prospettive. Inoltre, la prima edizione del Biennale College Arte supporta giovani artisti emergenti, esponendo le loro opere fuori concorso.

    Un Impegno Educativo e Formativo

    La Biennale pone un forte accento sulle attività educative, rivolgendosi a un vasto pubblico di studenti, professionisti e famiglie, promuovendo un coinvolgimento attivo e una riflessione critica.

    Offerta Editoriale e Identità Grafica

    Il catalogo ufficiale “Il Latte dei Sogni” e la guida della mostra accompagnano il visitatore lungo il percorso espositivo, mentre l’identità grafica esplora concetti di fluidità e identità attraverso il simbolo dell’occhio.

    L’allestimento e il Supporto

    L’allestimento, progettato da Formafantasma, riflette l’approccio progettuale della mostra, enfatizzando il collegamento tra arte e design. La mostra gode del sostegno di partner e sponsor, evidenziando l’importanza delle collaborazioni nella realizzazione dell’evento.

    In conclusione, la 59ª Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte rappresenta un punto d’incontro per riflettere sul futuro dell’arte e dell’umanità, promuovendo un dialogo costruttivo e visionario tra artisti, pubblico e la comunità internazionale.

    “Artists Who Code”: the new NFT auction by Artsy

    “Artists Who Code”: the new NFT auction by Artsy

    The famous platform enters the NFT world through an all-female crypto auction

    Artsy, a marketplace for works of art, recently announced “Artists Who Code”, an auction of generative NFTs created exclusively by women and non-binary artists, curated by artist and writer Mieke Marple and Sinziana Velicescu of Vellum LA.

    A part of the auction proceeds will be donated to the non-profit organization Girls Who Code, whose mission is to bridge the gender gap in technology.

    The auction, on the occasion of Women’s History Month, will take place online on Artsy from March 22 to April 5 and all bids and payments will be made exclusively in Ethereum.

    The stars of the auction will be NFT digital works that explore generative techniques in art, created by artists including Marjan Moghaddam, IX Shells, Sofia Crespo, LIA, Alida Sun, Helena Sarin, Ellie Pritts and Cibelle Cavalli Bastos, among others.

    The works will also be exhibited simultaneously in New York, Los Angeles and London.

    Definitely a very interesting event, to keep an eye on for all NFT and Crypto Art lovers!

    Photo Credits: Suspended Pathways: Golden 00b by Lisa Orth

    The 5 rules of the successful crypto artist

    The 5 rules of the successful crypto artist

    A new study has surfaced the 5 key points for artists to make a difference in the NFT world

    Since the NFT trend exploded, everyone is interested in this world, including artists. They are the main protagonists of this “artistic revolution” still in progress, where there are many guidelines to draw of what is the border between trend and art.

    Given its incredible power of attraction many digital and analog artists, are entering the industry, not so easy to understand.

    There are many who approach NFT, but without knowledge of the high number of unwritten rules to follow and many other obstacles to overcome in order to bring out their artistic research.

    That’s why NFT’s marketplace – Foundation – has compiled new research on its data to answer a question most artists are asking:

    What are the rules to follow to be successful in the NFT world?

    • Be among the first

    There is a saying that “first come, first served“. This rule seems to be applicable also to the NFT world, mainly made of visionary artists and collectors. The artists who first experimented with the application of NFT to their works, as well as the use of new sales platforms and forms of communication are also those most appreciated by the market.

    Those who are referred to in crypto jargon as OG Artists, i.e. pioneers in the industry, have on average a higher average selling price and number of NFTs sold than artists who entered after the Non-Fungible Token boom.

    • Being famous on marketplaces matters more than being famous on social media

    Many NFT sales platforms allow their users to follow artists with their work and receive notifications about their activity, including new NFT drops. 

    Foundation’s research showed that for artists, followers within the platform are much more important than those on social media: a veritable club of supporters ready to buy right away with each new drop.

    • Artists’ network of contacts is among the most useful tools 

    If within the art world the network of contacts is fundamental to bring out one’s artistic research, this also happens in the crypto world. Foundation’s research shows that the artists who have been on the platform the longest are those with the strongest track record and the most sales. 

    Their stable position is due in particular to the relationships forged at the beginning of the emergence of the NFT phenomenon, favoring those who managed to forge the most relationships with all the players in the environment, from artists, through curators, collectors, galleries and platforms.

    • Initial credibility has its value  

    Crypto artists are expected to maintain high credibility with their audience and collectors. 

    It is the artists who choose the selling price of the works, increasing according to their own variable positioning and the credibility acquired in the environment.

    • Attracting the interest of wealthier collectors

    Despite the fact that this is still a growing market, the most important collectors are considered real Whales, they hardly make wrong purchases and most of the artists they collect acquire value precisely because they have been acquired by them.

    A factor that sees support for the work of the artist, who is free to work and improve with their projects, thus contributing to increasing their credibility. 

    How about you, are you ready to enter the NFT world?

    Photo Credits: Beeple

    A collective of Congolese artists created an NFT to fight colonialism

    A collective of Congolese artists created an NFT to fight colonialism

    A Non Fungible Token inspired by a colonialist statue has become a reason for redemption for a small Congolese village

    In the small town of Lusanga, members of the Congolese Plantation Workers Art League coined their first NFT. 

    For the Congolese group of artists, known by the acronym CATPC, it was a ceremonial event; the NFT of this particular sculpture is a turning point in the history of their village. The statue is currently at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and depicts Maximilien Balot, a Belgian colonialist who was assassinated during a revolt in the 1930s.

    CATPC during the minting of the Balot NFT. Courtesy Ced’art Tamasala/CAPTC

    A statue that represents the dark spirit of colonialism, showing how it is still present in the nation. Despite several requests made to the Virginia Museum to borrow the work, it never made it to its hometown.

    CATPC decided to remedy this non-agreement by creating its own NFT of the never-returned statue. 

    And just like in crypto communities, where projects want to support their community, all profits from the sale of the 300 tokens will go to the local people and will be used to buy back more arable land and fair compensation for the workers.

    The Plantation and The Museum, CATPC and Renzo Martens, (2021). Courtesy the artists and KOW Berlin

    Digitization of the work

    CATPC’s NFT is a subversive gesture by a group of artists who are tired of playing by the rules while being ignored. The Virginia museum’s rejection could be seen as part of a larger logjam of misunderstanding among solid Western institutions

    Tamasala, one of the artists in the collective, said that their blockchain appropriation of the object allowed them to get around the problem and finally have the sculpture and create our own world. “We have otherwise reappropriated what belongs to us intellectually, artistically, morally. We feel closer to the sculpture and proud to have what was already ours before.

    Colonialist art in the digital age 

    CATPC is not the first to use blockchain for a transgressive operation: in a talk last year, German artist Hito Steyerl denounced the power structures that now run much of the blockchain and announced that he had mined the Humboldt Forum and other German museums on blockchain.

    Western collections have not yet created NFTs based on works in their repositories, but CATPC is concerned that this may soon become a reality. 

    Ever since blockchain technology took over the art world, many institutions have been vying to mint major works in their collections in NFT, but doing so risks putting all those colonial-era works that haven’t yet returned to the hands of their rightful owners out of business.

    background. Courtesy CATPC and KOW.

    But Martens and CATPC still see an opportunity, at least for now. “Let these communities use this technology as well, not just the museums that rely on inequality and risk reinforcing it,Tamasala said. 

    Photo Credits: Courtesy The Plantation and The Museum, CATPC and Renzo Martens, (2021). Courtesy the artists and KOW Berlin.

    Sotheby’s: 104 NFT CryptoPunks withdrawn from sale

    Sotheby’s: 104 NFT CryptoSotheby’s: 104 NFT CryptoPunks withdrawn from salePunks ritirati dalla vendita

    On 23 February, the British auction house announced the grand sale of a series of CryptoPunks with an estimate of between $20 and $30 million. The owner decided to withdraw the lots at the last minute.

    A few days ago, Sotheby‘s auction house announced the first major evening auction, in the great hall of its New York headquarters, of one of the largest collections of CryptoPunks in history.

    The auction, called “Punk it!”, was supposed to be the first one with a million-dollar estimate dedicated to NFTs, but something went wrong.

    The set of 104 CryptoPunks for sale came from an anonymous collector known as 0x650d.

    WHAT ARE NFT CRYPTOPUNKS?

    CryptoPunks is a collection of 10,000 NFTs released in 2017 by Larva Labs, images minted as Non Fungible Token avatars with punk rock looking pixelated traits. Each NFT in the collection is unique, with different traits that are more or less rare, allowing it to stand out within the same collection.

    “CryptoPunks is the original PFP series – profile pic – that created the template for other NFT projects that followed,” said Michael Bouhanna, co-head of Sotheby’s Digital Art department.

    The auction house was prepared to accept bids in cryptocurrency only, giving the end buyer the option to pay in Ether, Bitcoin, USD or any fiat currency.

    THE TWIST

    Everything was ready, auctioneer, people in the room and the atmosphere was hot: everyone was sure that the sale of the 104 NFT CryptoPunks would happen, but as in the best stories here is the twist that comes via Twitter.

    The mysterious and anonymous collector 0x650d, owner of the NFTs, announced in a tweet that he wants to “hold” the NFTs in his possession and in his wallet.

    When the news spread around the room many people were astonished: it happens that one of many batches is withdrawn at the last minute, but in this case, since it was only one batch available, it seemed that this could not happen.

    FIRST THE DISAPPOINTMENT, THEN THE QUESTIONS

    At Sotheby’s New York showroom, rumours of the collector’s sudden decision caused many to turn up their noses, including one of the potential buyers who already had his paddle in hand to make his bid: Nabyl Charania.

    Charania was there representing the NFT-focused investment fund Meta4 Capital and said: “We’re not disappointed. We want the seller to get the price they want-we don’t want an antagonistic relationship“.

    Many people wondered why the batch was withdrawn, and here are some doubts:

    • The 104 Crypto Punks probably did not have any rare traits that could justify the maximum estimate of $20 to $30 million;
    • The anonymous collector 0x650d may have chosen to retain ownership because he believes in the long-term potential of the project: in the crypto community he was celebrated
    • Others saw the choice as the possibility of a flop, which would lead to a decline in interest in NFTs.
    • A fourth possibility is linked to the current unstable geopolitical situation, with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the increasingly rapid decline in the value of ETH and Bitcoin, now at lows

    Whatever the reason that led the anonymous collector to withdraw the lot of 104 NFT CryptoPunks, Sotheby’s is not stopping, continuing to offer lots or entire auctions of NFTs, believing in the future of these digital objects.

    The NFT Magazine: Antoni Tudisco on the cover of the fifth issue

    The NFT Magazine: Antoni Tudisco on the cover of the fifth issue

    After crypto artists like Hackatao and Dangiuz, Antoni Tudisco will be the next cover star of The NFT Magazine, chosen by the Readers Club community.

    Antoni Tudisco will be featured on the ISSUE #05 cover of The NFT Magazine with public drop scheduled for March 2.

    The artist has been chosen directly by the Readers Club, the community of readers of the magazine that, thanks to the possession of the previous releases, have the right to vote both on the proposed themes and on the cover artist that they can choose among a pool of names of great importance in the crypto scene.

    The new issue of The NFT Magazine will be distributed in a limited edition of only 1,300 copies – 200 more than the previous volume- with a focus on tokens and cryptocurrencies.

    There will be in-depth analysis on the most used cryptocurrencies of the moment, the top NFT tokens, the various exchange platforms and the most used wallets; there will also be a focus on the market trend of the top 20 cryptocurrencies, along with exclusive interviews with major players in the crypto and NFT world.

    La cover by Antoni Tudisco, Courtesy of The NFT Magazine

    WHO IS ANTONI TUDISCO?

    Creative director and visual designer Antoni Tudisco was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, where he studied media management, web design and development programming.

    He has worked with top brands Nike, Adidas, Versace, Google, Mercedes Benz, D&G etc. and also launched his own brand TUDISCO STUDIO.

    After appearing in Vogue, Highsnobiety and Hypebeast and winning numerous major design awards. He has collaborated with major artists such as Will Smith, Pop Smoke, Swae Lee and Steve Aoki.

    The featured artwork on the ISSUE #05 cover of The NFT Magazine is “ETHEE V2.

    HOW TO COLLECT THE NFT MAGAZINE?

    As for the previous volumes, distribution and sale are marked in different moments, with priority access to holders who are part of the Readers Club, readers who have purchased the previous editions.

    Then it’s the turn of the presale for the community present on Discord, Telegram and the Newsletter, then the public drop.

    The starting price for all is 0.05 ETH + gas fee, with the possibility to buy also in FIAT currency such as euro and dollars directly from the thenftmag.io Newsstand

    Unsold copies will be burned to ensure the rarity of the edition.

    The date for the drop is therefore March 2, 2022 at 18:00 CET.

    And you, are you ready to read and collect the new issue of The NFT Magazine?

    Klimt’s Kiss transformed into NFT

    Klimt’s Kiss transformed into NFT

    The Belvedere Museum in Vienna will create its first Non Fungible Token on the occasion of Lovers’ Day. 

    To mark Valentine’s Day, a digital copy of Gustav Klimt‘s famous Kiss is set to be transformed and sold for 10,000 NFT by the Belvedere Museum in Vienna.

    “What does it mean to own a work of art in the digital age? The rise of NFTs, which has preoccupied the art world since 2020, has given new impetus to this intriguing question. The conversion of real works into digital reproductions opens up new forms of participation, which, in financial terms, should be taken seriously, but can also be seen in a playful way,” says Stella Rollig, general director of the museum.

    The official release of the NFT will take place on 14 February, and the work will be divided into 10,000 units that will be distributed among the buyers. In addition, a love dedication can be added to the token and engraved inside the NFT, making it even more personal and special. 

    The Belvedere in Vienna is only the latest of the major museums which have decided to tokenise one or more masterpieces from their collection. The most recent transformation of masterpieces into NFTs was undertaken by the British Museum for a series of 50 works by Turner.

    Photo Courtesy: NFT presentation “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt at the Upper Belvedere