[3331 Art Fair 2021 Special Project] Coding Theory: The Future of NFT and Art

Artists: Masaki Fujihata, Yukio Fujimoto, Hideki Nakazawa, Masato Nakamura

3331 ART FAIR 2021 will hold a special exhibition and, for the first time, sell art using NFTs created by four artists known both in Japan and abroad for leading an era by negotiating between analog and digital forms of expression since the dawn of media art.

The emergence of a new technological system called an NFT (non-fungible token), which allows for proof against forgery through blockchain, has made it possible to assign unique value to reproducible digital data. At the same time, NFTs raise questions surrounding the authorship, value, and ownership of artwork made thus far. This is an opportunity to present new value perspectives regarding concepts of originality, reproduction, technique, and ownership. We are entering a realm of possibility predicted by these four exhibiting artists and their practices thus far. This exhibition will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinterpret the relationship between media and art and to consider NFTs through the lens of contemporary art.

This project's title, "Coding Theory," refers to the general term for theories that enhance the efficiency and reliability of information communication through coding. The practice of NFT art records the artist's thinking along with the material of the art--in other words, embodying the artist's ideas and mentality. This "coding" act relates not only to digital data but also, the very nature of human meaning-making. Meanwhile, the term "theory"--which comes from the Greek word theoria, meaning "to look" or "to contemplate"--also evokes concepts of hypothesis and validation that indicate the best possible method or means. Together, the terms "coding" and "theory" express the opportunities that await in this project.

With the generous cooperation of Startbahn, Inc.--an authority on the blockchain system that makes NFT art possible--we are pleased to welcome you to this introductory exhibition that responds to the widespread question: "What's an NFT?"

Special Cooperation: Startbahn, Inc.

≫3331 ART FAIR 2021
https://artfair.3331.jp/