Cultural Rebels: Digital art and the Olympics meet at ARTVERSE, a promising web3 gallery space in Paris.

Exhibition installation view "Art Arena: The Play of Movement and Spirit", Artverse Paris, 2024

Art Arena: The Play of Movement and Spirit
On view until August 31, 2024
Galerie ARTVERSE
5 bis rue Beauce
75004 Paris

Artists: Albertine Meunier, BATIST, Benoit Couty, Booyasan, Coco Dolle, EDOUARD, Gokhan Gokcay, HOrO mOX, Kibo, Lana Denina, Le Moon, Lighton, Louis Dazy, Louis 16 Art, LUKAS, Marine Bléhaut, Vlada, and XERAK.  
 

By COCO DOLLE July 11, 2024

Following the recent closure of the NFT Factory in Paris, Artverse is picking up the torch and aims to become a new hub for Web3 communities where project leaders and artists can meet, exchange ideas, and showcase their work. Located in the vibrant and artistic Marais district in Paris, its inaugural exhibition curated by gallery director Grida Jang, focuses on the theme of French Olympics, inviting an eclectic pool of artists to create original works that capture the energy and movement of sports through digital media. "Art Arena: The Play of Movement and Spirit," showcases 18 artworks elegantly exhibited on screens and available for purchase on the blockchain from their respective market places. And to mirror the quality of the space, each work is paired with a series of physical postcard-size editions available at an affordable 5 euros.

I spoke with its director Grida Jang and co-founder Sebastien Borget, COO and co-founder of Sandbox, a digital platform for virtual worlds and videogames. 

Postcard editions displayed at the gallery, Artverse Paris, 2024

Coco Dolle: What is your intention in opening a permanent physical gallery space for a digital audience?

Sebastien Borget: The idea behind Artverse is to create a place where multiple cultural domains and communities from Web3, video games, entrepreneurship, fashion, luxury, and both digital and physical art can intersect. By leveraging the network developed by my co-founder, Arthur Madrid, and myself over the past 16 years with The Sandbox and our previous startups, as well as the network of the team in charge of the space—particularly Grida, our Artistic Curator and Director of the space—we will also have activations and events related to Korean and broader Asian culture. Artverse is also a place where we can support the entrepreneurs I advise and the startups I’ve invested in, highlighting their products, games, or services in a unique venue in the heart of the Marais where artistic culture blends. 

Grida Jang: Our goal is to bridge the gap between digital and physical art. Located at 5 bis rue Beauce, 75003 Paris, ArtVerse is a unique space for digital art and community. This three-story, 300m² building can accommodate up to 400 people, providing versatile venues for exhibitions and events. The digital gallery and culture house enhance accessibility and engagement through the integration of blockchain technology and web3 principles.

Artwork "Bleu Blanc Rouge" by artist Lana Denina, on display at Artverse Paris, 2024

Coco Dolle: Tell us about your future programming and what “house of culture” means to you.

Sebastien Borget: We are at the beginning of this project, which will evolve over time according to the needs and desires of the community. The venue allows for numerous configurations: seminars, dinners, pop-up stores during fashion week or design week. The initial feedback has been very encouraging for the first events.

Grida Jang: ArtVerse offers exhibitions, events, and workshops celebrating digital art and fostering community engagement. The three-story building features a basement gallery focused on highly curated exhibitions, with top-tier artists' solo shows scheduled for this year. The remaining spaces are designed for active digital community gatherings. A "culture house" means a dynamic environment where people interact, learn, and create. ArtVerse hosts artist talks, panel discussions, workshops, and collaborative projects, contributing to the evolving landscape of digital art. 

Coco Dolle: What are the challenges related to connecting the gaming and creative communities?

Sebastien Borget: Rather than challenges, we see an opportunity to facilitate more exchanges between these different communities. We need initiatives to break down traditional boundaries between technology and culture.

Artwork "Glory" by artist Benoit Couty, on display at Artverse Paris, 2024

Artwork "Paname 2024" by artist Le Moon, on display at Artverse Paris, 2024

Artwork "The Memecoin Thrower" by artist BATIST, on display at Artverse Paris, 2024

Artwork "On ne joue pas avec l'égalité" by artist Lighton, on display at Artverse Paris, 2024

Artwork "To the Finish Line" by artist Gohkan Gokcay, on display at Artverse Paris, 2024
 

Coco Dolle: Why did you choose the name ARTVERSE? 

Grida Jang: I chose the name ARTVERSE combining 'art' and 'verse' to symbolize different dimensions of art. It reflects our vision of guiding visitors into a world of endless possibilities through diverse artworks. The name also indirectly references the intersection of The Sandbox—co-founded by Sebastien and Arthur—and art. "ArtVerse" emphasizes the harmony between the digital and physical worlds, symbolizing the blend of technology and art. It encapsulates our mission to create a space where innovation and creativity converge, offering new artistic experiences and perspectives.

Continuing on the theme of the Olympics, the second exhibition, "All & Every," will open on July 25th and present a duo featuring Tommy Hollenstein and Foodmasku (Antonius Oki Wiriadjaja). The exhibition will explore harmony, equality, creative freedom, and the limitless possibilities of materials. Hollenstein paints using his wheelchair, while Foodmasku is a digital artist who creates face masks from food. Their works convey messages of harmony and equality through the power of art. An exciting and dynamic duo promising to captivate our curiosity! RSVP here. WM