ARTS + CULTURE
FOUNTAIN – DIGITAL ART THAT’S WORTH COLLECTING New global platform for digital art with a difference launched in New Zealand. After the hype and crash cycle of NFTs, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s probably the worst time possible to launch a new platform for digital art. Yet that’s exactly what two New Zealand entrepreneurs have just launched to a global market. But this one is quite different. Digital product designer Nicholas Henwood and gallerist Scott Lawrie have come together to launch Fountain – a new online gallery that focuses on digital art from internationally established artists who already have considerable reputations way beyond the relatively new NFT hype. So, while you won't see apes on motorbikes on there anytime soon, you will see some fabulous examples of cutting-edge digital art. “Digital art is now entering a whole new era of possibilities,” says Fountain Curator Scott Lawrie. “With the advent of virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse and new tech, its time has come. It can no longer be ignored.” Fountain avoids the NFT hype by simply using the blockchain as a verification method, so the digital artworks can have clear and simple provenance. Until now, proving ownership of a digital work of art that is infinitely replicable, has been quite tricky.
example as a unique edition at a high price – but also to new collectors who could buy a bigger edition for a far lower price. This gives them equity in contemporary art, and I love that. That to me is a fundamental point of difference and blows up the traditional art world focus on rarity,” says Lawrie.
“We factored into our business plan a year ago a 90% crash in cryptocurrency. And we just didn't believe in the cultural value of the NFTs that had been attracting ridiculously high prices. Instead, we focused on artists who had considerable reputations in digital art already,” explains Henwood.
Fountain launches globally with contemporary artist Hye Rim Lee. “It’s a fantastic meeting of minds” explains Nic. “I have a far more technical and product-driven user experience skillset. And Scott brings an experienced eye from the art world to choose the artist we feature, many of whom are already stars in their own right.”
Then there are the environmental factors. The energy used by blockchains powered by Ethereum and Bitcoin for example, is ridiculously high. Without getting too technical, the verification methods they use are incredibly power-hungry. Fountain chose to build the platform on Tezos instead given it has tiny energy usage by comparison (about 1.5m times more energy efficient!) “One of the things that Nic Henwood (the other co-founder) and I got excited about was the accessibility aspect – that Fountain could sell digital art to established collectors, for
The artist Fountain has chosen for launch is particularly exciting for the duo – international superstar Hye Rim Lee. Lawrie says she stands apart from her contemporary artist peers, ‘Not only for her dedication to digital art, but also for her commitment to exploring the interface between art, technology, and new forms of visual expression. She is one of the leading digital artists in the world today, and we’re honoured to have her on the platform as our launch artist’. You can see more at fountain.art
PONSONBY NEWS+ July 2022
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