We have just concluded the 9th city on the Bright Moments roadmap, and the feeling is beyond words. Presently, I find myself on a train, travelling through France. My body is weary, my eyes fatigued, my feet hurting, and I am in desperate need of respite from screens. Yet, amidst these sensations, I am filled with a profound sense of fulfilment and contentment after this week's endeavours. The following is a succinct account of my Bright Moments Paris experience – encompassing the artistry, the populace, the locale, and the ambiance.
Upon my arrival in Paris, a couple of weeks prior to the the show, I couldn't help but feel enamoured by the city. Paris, perhaps, stands as one of my cherished European destinations. The amalgamation of exquisite cuisine, pedestrian-friendly streets, and fine wine renders the city remarkably cozy and delightful to me. This early arrival afforded me the luxury of unwinding, recuperating, and acquainting myself with the city's charms before the unfolding of the show – an ideal prelude indeed.
Bright Moments embarked on its journey in Venice Beach, pioneering the minting of CryptoVenetians for the local community. The only caveat? Personal attendance was required to mint one. Subsequently, the team headed to New York, delving into generative art. It was during the New York show that Tyler Hobbs released "Incomplete Control", and Grailers DAO was started. Following this, the art circus headed to Berlin. The Berlin chapter, NFT Art Berlin, showcased the works of 10 artists, each commanding Kraftwerk for their exhibition. It was in Berlin that I joined the team. Departing from Berlin, we headed to London. Six artists unveiled their works, each hosting individual exhibitions in Soho Square over a 1 month period. The minting experience for Londoners utilised a tiny screen, accompanied by generative piano melodies. Next: Mexico, NFT Art CDMX. Eleven artists presented their works, each allocated their own room for displaying their pieces in the heart of Mexico City. Following CDMX, Tokyo, with 30 artists releasing work some in Asakura House and some in a skyscraper – Digital Garage. Following Tokyo, Buenos Aires, where 10 artists exhibited their works within a palace in Buenos Aires, followed by a collectors' expedition to Patagonia.
The rationale behind my detailed description of each city stems from my firm belief that without their unique characteristics, participants, and settings, the experience in Paris would not have been as exceptional. Each preceding city involved a lot of standing, with minimal communal seating. Berlin unfolded within the vast confines of a power plant, while London spanned across two storefront locations. Mexico City boasted a sprawling venue featuring a restaurant, yet the art display areas primarily involved standing.
So, over the last couple of years a community of people has formed in each city. Everyone has been gathering in one place, to celebrate generative, and more recently, AI art. Paris was an art cafe. The reveal experience involved sitting at a table with the artist, and revealing your piece sat with them. This made the experience extremely intimate. Being able to actually sit down and enjoy your piece, ask questions about it, and enjoy it with friends and the artist, made a huge difference to the enjoyment. Each piece holds a story. The cafe extends beyond simply enjoying the piece with the artist. Throughout the 4 days, the seating was used for various different things. On day 1, a couple of people arrived at midday, ordered a coffee, and sit in the cafe surrounded by art, chatting away. As the evening drew in, people used the chairs to relax and chat. On day 2, the same happened. On day 3, there was an unofficial Farcaster meetup held in the cafe. People gathered at the far end of the cafe, by the huge reveal screen, and chatted about all things Farcaster. On day 4, the same with an unofficial Grailers meetup. On all days, as the evenings drew in, people sat in the chairs chatting away and just spending time. Every time I went into the cafe I was grabbed by someone who I hadn't seen yet and was able to say hello to old and new faces! It was perfect.
I firmly believe that this experience wouldn't have been as transformative had it been held in an earlier Bright Moments city. The preceding events laid the groundwork for fostering camaraderie and familiarity, imbuing the Parisian cafe setting with an unparalleled sense of intimacy, personal connection, and enjoyment.
The opportunity to sit down with artists and engage in discussions about their work served as a catalyst for this immersive experience. Spectators were welcomed to observe, contributing to the creation of a genuine community ambiance centred around the artists and their creations. I vividly recall a moment when I entered the venue to find my friends gathered around Luke Shannon's table. Joining them, we quickly begun to discuss his work and play with the algorithm. It was truly special.
To conclude, Paris earns a perfect score of 10/10 for its rich cultural tapestry, sense of community, and vibrant atmosphere. This brief reflection encapsulates why I deem the cafe a resounding success. Thank you for taking the time to read!
