The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Launches NFT-backed Digital Initiative
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has introduced an interactive, NFT-backed digital initiative called “MoMA Postcard.” This program, set to launch later this month, allows participants to send digital chain letters featuring 15 blank “stamps” across the blockchain to their chosen collaborators. Each postcard will be a collaborative art piece with stamps tailored to a specific theme.
The museum stated that this initiative provides an accessible and creative way for users to experiment with NFTs and blockchain technology while fostering connections and conversations within the digital art world. The NFTs created through this program are minted on Tezos.
Collaboration Among Digital Artists
To kick off the program, MoMA invited 15 digital artists, including Dmitri Cherniak, Casey Reas, Grant Yun, Anna Lucia, and Kim Asendorf, among others, to collaborate on a series of postcards titled “First 15.” Each artist was given a unique prompt to design their stamp. For example, Operator, a Madrid-based art duo, asked artists to create a stamp representing the number of hearts they’ve broken using black pixels on a white background with numeric characters only.
Dmitri Cherniak, known for his generative digital artwork “The Goose,” asked the group to create a pixel goose. The artists’ collaboration and the global nature of the initiative have been highlighted by Sasha Stiles, one of the participating artists.
MoMA’s Involvement in Blockchain Art
This isn’t MoMA’s first foray into blockchain art. In 2021, the museum sold NFTs created by digital artist Refik Anadol, who drew inspiration from MoMA’s archives. Additionally, MoMA currently offers a free NFT claim for museum visitors, featuring Anadol’s AI-driven digital artwork “Unsupervised.”
The announcement from MoMA demonstrates a growing interest among major art institutions in establishing long-term relationships with blockchain technology and the digital art ecosystem. Other museums, such as Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou, have also embraced blockchain-backed artworks and exhibitions.
Hot Take: Embracing Collaboration and Creativity in Digital Art
MoMA’s launch of the “MoMA Postcard” initiative showcases its commitment to embracing collaboration and creativity in the realm of digital art. By leveraging NFTs and blockchain technology, MoMA provides artists and enthusiasts with an approachable platform to experiment and connect with one another. The interactive nature of the program encourages participants to contribute their unique artistic perspectives to create collaborative pieces that transcend geographical boundaries. With this initiative, MoMA solidifies its position as a leading institution driving innovation in the art world.