A gallery in LA is revolutionizing the art scene by creating a total NFT-based exhibit, highlighting underrepresented groups in the digital art world. Vellum LA, a women-led enterprise, is looking to uplift women and non-binary individuals that have exceptional potential for using technology as a medium for art. The gallery uses (very expensive) high resolution LED displays that have been fine tuned for the sole purpose of displaying digital art. NFTs, or non fungible tokens, are relatively new in that they utilize bitcoin and blockchain technology. The purpose of NFTs is to definitively own an intangible item on the internet, mainly digital art pieces which give digital artists the opportunity to make serious money off of their hard work.
Vellum LA is smart in that they saw the possibilities of the crypto movement and set up a whole gallery in which to express this movement. By curating NFTs for select art pieces, the gallery can provide a physical space in which to experience non-physical forms of artistic expression. What’s more is the accessibility Vellum LA offers: opportunities for otherwise looked over demographics to be made known.
I have noticed a large surge in digital art making amongst my generation. I believe it provides limitless mediums for any individual to artistically express themselves in a way they can be proud of rather than what they think art should look like. I hope more and more curators and galleries will lean into helping digital artists, like Vellum LA, to make it more accessible and career oriented.
