French artist Bernar Venet collaborates with Sotheby’s Metaverse on “EVENT,” his first generative artwork on Ethereum blockchain
Renowned French artist Bernar Venet has partnered with Sotheby’s Metaverse to create his debut generative artwork titled “EVENT” on the Ethereum blockchain. This collaboration is a significant milestone in Venet’s career, as he has been pushing artistic boundaries for over five decades. “EVENT” is part of Sotheby’s Gen Art program and showcases Venet’s innovative approach to generative digital art.
Venet’s exploration of mathematics, geometry, and chance in art
Venet’s artistic journey began in 1963 with his piece “Tas de charbon” (Pile of Coal), which highlighted his early fascination with materials and the role of chance in composition. Throughout his career, Venet has blurred the lines between order and chaos by incorporating mathematical equations, geometric shapes, and unpredictable outcomes. His venture into digital art builds upon these explorations, using algorithms as a new medium for creativity.
“EVENT”: A fusion of sculptural language and digital technology
The title “EVENT” is an anagram of Venet’s name and draws inspiration from Marcel Duchamp’s playful linguistics. It represents a fusion of Venet’s sculptural language with digital technology, reimagining gravity, light, shadow, and materiality through generative algorithms. Working alongside curator Viola Lukács, Venet aims to create 500 unique digital artworks that embody the essence of his physical sculptures while embracing new possibilities such as color.
Embracing constant innovation and rejecting stylistic repetition
Venet sees his embrace of generative art not as an extension of his existing practice but as a manifestation of his belief in constant innovation and the rejection of stylistic repetition. He views digital technology as a tool for unveiling new forms of expression, allowing him to explore uncharted territories of artistic creation beyond traditional media.
The convergence of physical and digital art
“EVENT” is not just a digital counterpart to Venet’s physical works; it represents an exploration of the potential of digital environments to create art that resonates with the tactile and visual qualities of his sculptures. This collaboration between Venet and Sotheby’s Metaverse enriches the digital art landscape while demonstrating the enduring relevance and adaptability of established artists in the digital age.
Challenging boundaries and expanding possibilities
Venet’s work with generative art is a testament to the evolving nature of creativity. Through “EVENT,” he invites viewers to witness the convergence of past and future, order and chaos, in a digital realm that expands the possibilities of what art can be.