By viewing this exhibition, the fascinating aspects of digital design in utilizing NFTs and digital exhibition and sales methods become apparent. It reveals the potential that arises from the artist's dedication and expression expanding globally and locally.
【Event Overview】
"Painting Over" is a series of physical painting artwork created by A-Mashiro, who has previously focused on digital formats.
Each physical artwork is accompanied by an NFT certificate.
Exhibition Name: PAINTING OVER
Artist: A-Mashiro
Exhibition Period: 2024/1/20 - 2024/2/4
Venue: NEORT++
Access: JR Bakurocho Station, Exit C4, 2-2-14 Maruka Building 3F, Nihonbashi Bakurocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. View Map
Open Days: Wednesday - Sunday, 14:00 - 19:00 (Closed all day on Monday, Tuesday, and public holidays)
Key Factors
As a key factor in bringing out the excitement of this event, it is the collaboration between the artist, gallery, platform, and art studio that has led to the design of exhibitions and purchasing experiences. The aim is to clearly design the functionality of digital and NFT to convey the charm of art and maximize sales.
Artist: A-Mashiro
Physical Gallery: NEORT++ (https://two.neort.io/ja)
NFT Sales Platform: NEORT
Art Studio: NEORT
noriforce is participating as a promotion
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Artist: A-Mashiro
X (Formerly Twitter) : https://twitter.com/A_Mashiro_nft
Instagram: A-Mashiro(@a_mashiro_jp) • Instagram写真と動画
Past Works：SuperRare
So far, A-Mashiro's works have often been compared to Russian constructivism artists like Wassily Kandinsky by collectors and artists, but A-Mashiro himself did not pay much attention to it until he was told. His works are characterized by lines, circles, and squares, which also connect to his career in furniture design, just like Kandinsky, who once taught at the Bauhaus. Both Kandinsky and A-Mashiro have a synesthetic perception of color as sound and have a wide range of musical preferences, incorporating them as inspiration. There may be a commonality in the sensory aspect between them. In his essay "The Spiritual in Art," Kandinsky describes improvisation as "primarily an expression that emerges unconsciously, mostly bubbling up from the surface, in other words, the impression of the inner essence." This also resonates with A-Mashiro's focus on expressing his own emotions and tensions without emphasizing concepts or stories in this case.
About My Works
In my 20s, I used to present physical paint works and I had the desire to challenge myself again in physical expression. However, it was not about going back to the past, but rather about what I can create after going through the digital realm. I wanted to be able to choose the means flexibly depending on the expression, instead of choosing one over the other.
I use silk screen printing to incorporate traditional Japanese patterns, which is a characteristic of A-Mashiro's works. The reason behind this is that I wanted to intuitively incorporate patterns onto the canvas and use the same pattern repeatedly throughout the series.
The title "Painting Over" represents the part where I felt the strongest difference between digital and physical works.
In the digital realm, you can "save" or "undo" your work. You can completely erase the previous work. However, in the case of physical works, that is not possible. Even if you immediately wipe off the paint, traces will remain. In that sense, I feel that the act of wiping itself is also layering. As I continue to layer the paint, the canvas keeps changing, but the traces of the past remain in layers. These conventions were fresh to me, who had become so accustomed to creating in the digital realm, and it made me realize them once again.
The frames are custom-made by Komiyama Furniture Manufacturing, a famous furniture workshop in Gifu known for its craftsmanship. The finish by Japanese artisans is of high quality, despite the simple shape.
The silk screens used in my creations are produced at the Kyoto studio "Katagiri Shashinkata". This historic studio has created durable screens that can withstand multiple uses for me.
Quoted from the statement:
By expressing the physical aspects that become visible through experiencing NFT/digital, artists from around the world are approaching how they perceive things and expressions (some refer to this as skeuomorphism). A-Mashiro has visited various Japanese companies with solid techniques, such as wooden frames in Gifu and silk screen printing in Kyoto, and directly interviewed the craftsmen. Each encounter allows us to feel their passion and dedication. A-Mashiro aims to reconstruct their physical expressions from 20 years ago, after achieving success in the digital/NFT realm. "Painting Over" encompasses the lessons, failures, and successes, incorporating the techniques and expressions embedded in acrylic paintings and silk screen prints onto the canvas. A-Mashiro says, "In digital creation, you can redo and save your work, but in the physical realm, mistakes are opportunities for learning and moving forward. Processes that were considered normal in the physical world can become fresh and exciting through digital means." We hope you can appreciate A-Mashiro's current position while reflecting on these points.
We have created a video documenting the on-site interviews. Please take a look.
Behind the works of "Painting Over”, solo exhibition by A-Mashiro
Portfolio link is here (also available for purchase):
This time, we are focusing on selling art pieces without creating merchandise.
We are currently accepting collaborations and other opportunities.
Utilizing NFTs
① Utilize as a certificate: It is possible to conduct a purchase experience and provide proof from the time of purchase until the artwork deteriorates and is disposed of (the artwork also has an NFC, allowing the certificate to be verified digitally through a browser).
② Smooth overseas purchasing experience through cryptocurrency: (Cash is also accepted locally)
→ People who have sent money overseas in yen or dollars might understand that fees and confirmations can be quite troublesome. When sending money overseas, many people find it easier to use cryptocurrency.
③ Storage: While it may not be possible to physically store the artwork for individual buyers, data, history, and certificates can be stored.
→ Focusing on the role and functionality of NFTs, three elements can be utilized as clear advantages for artists in their sales.
https://two.neort.io/ja/artworks/painting_over
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Sales Status
A total of 33 paintings have been sold.
Result: Sales of 31 works, totaling 12.8ETH (currently: 4.35million yen)
Transaction (purchase history) is recorded on the blockchain, and can be accessed via the following link:
https://etherscan.io/address/0xd40974560e208888207638aaa015846cac0e9067
Here is the breakdown of the sales (how the sales were achieved).
Category # Physical 8 Virtual 11 Artist Connection 12 Total 31
5 works will be available for sale from Nifty Gateway (https://www.niftygateway.com/drops) starting from 1/31.
Upon release, 5 copies sold out immediately (purchased by 3 platform collectors and the artist's collector).
Furthermore, collectors who had hoped to purchase it later connected with the NEORT platform and made their purchase.
The link is available here.
Painting Over by A-Mashiro | Collection | Nifty Gateway
Consideration
In the midst of the struggling ETH market, platforms like OpenSea, fxhash, SuperRare, and Artblocks play an important role in delivering the appeal of crypto art and digital art to collectors who are interested. It is crucial to carefully nurture relationships that A-Mashiro has built over the course of three years with artists and collectors who are at the core of purchasing. Additionally, it is important to increase the attractiveness and awareness by reaching out to those who visit the venue, friends, and those who cannot come from afar through SNS and virtual tours as much as possible. The passion of digital art collectors still exists within a highly active community.
In the midst of many events and exhibitions being held, it is difficult to attract customers to Asakusabashi due to the location factor, so the turnout is low.
Target audience: 210 people in total
Weekdays: 10 people
Weekends: 20 people
Events such as talk shows: additional 5 people
Result: 240
Action for addressing the issue: Virtual gallery tours (Google Meet, Zoom)
Bookings of 1-2 people per day
Being able to guide artworks and artists across countries and regions helps overcome the challenges of physical galleries, such as distance and location issues. Currently, the format involves showing on mobile and PC screens side by side, but later on, the E-Commerce system will be strengthened.
Participating regions: United States, Dubai, Australia, Canada, Tokyo
Languages: Japanese and English (with interpreters available)
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Implementation time: 12:00-14:00, 19:00-21:00 (outside gallery opening hours)
The time spent with investor and Generative Art collector "Ikuma Mutobe" has been meaningful, as well as being associated with A-Mashiro.
SNS and Announcements
Regular posting of exhibition and event information
Expressing gratitude to collectors who have made purchases
Utilizing SNS platforms: X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Tiktok
Key Factors
One important thing to remember is the activity on SNS (especially X). A-Mashiro's distinctive feature is to communicate with collectors and artists in a polite manner. One outstanding point is gaining trust from fans worldwide by replying to contacts and posts using Deep L. The abundance of comments and reactions like "likes" is particularly noticeable. It may be because A-Mashiro is naturally sociable, but actively engaging with people on SNS may also be the secret to delivering authors and works to the world.
Additionally, we will approach users on various platforms through videos and images (with a focus on X).
Regarding announcements, we will also release them on PR Times to reach out to companies and media.
A-Mashiro個展「Painting Over」 2024年1月20日（土）- 2月4日（日） 日本橋馬喰町 NEORT++ にて開催 | 株式会社TARTのプレスリリース (prtimes.jp)
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Live Streaming
Live Streaming: Continuously streaming the process of creating artworks during the solo exhibition period.
"Painting Over" Live Painting at A-Mashiro solo exhibition
"Painting Over" Live Painting at A-Mashiro solo exhibition - YouTube
A-Mashiro holds "Kotatsu Talk," where artists, collectors, and management casually share their thoughts and feelings. This event aims to convey the charm of A-Mashiro's works and his journey from various perspectives.
【Painting Over | A-Mashiro solo exhibition】Talk with NORI and Toshi #94
1/21 18:00-19:00（Archive available）
【Painting Over | A-Mashiro solo exhibition】A-Mashiro Talk with mae #83
1/24 18:00-19:00（Archive available）
"Painting Over" Talk with Pochita
1/28 17:00-18:00 （アーカイブ有）
"Painting Over" Talk with Takawo
1/31 18:00-19:00（アーカイブ有）
＊# of stream
Even if the number of views is not high, it is possible to convey the charm by steadily delivering the story and emotions to the core fans. By increasing the digital presence through platforms like YouTube and Shorts, it becomes easier to convey the charm, so consistent online streaming is necessary. The flow of streaming and physical events is an essential point in increasing loyalty.
