Multi-disciplinary artist and Far Eastern University alumnus Bjorn Calleja, whose work has been exhibited in galleries both locally and internationally, such as headlining the recently held Art Fair Philippines 2022, takes another step forward into the non-fungible token (NFT) space as the lone Filipino artist whose work will be exhibited during the pioneering interactive art exhibit entitled โNFTs + The Ever-Evolving World of Artโ at Art Basel Hong Kong.
The exhibit, organized by blockchain firm TZ APAC and Art Basel, will commence from May 27 to May 29 in Hong Kongโs Convention & Exhibition Center. Including Calleja, the event will showcase the works of over 20 contemporary โgenerativeโ digital artists from around the world. The interactive exhibition space will also feature a showcase designed in collaboration with FXhash, the leading generative art platform on the Tezos blockchain, allowing visitors to receive a unique generative artwork NFT from participating artists in a first-of-its-kind interactive NFT gallery experience.
Bjorn Callejaโs art style is described as a reflection of the interplay between the micro-and macrocosms of humans within and against their environments. Heย describedย one of his NFT projects, Stoopid Avatar, as his โsatirical commentary on my outsiderโs perspective on the PFP culture.โ
โI think as a contemporary artist minting NFTs, value should exceed utility and marketing gimmicks, nothing against them but I understand that itโs a long game and there is more to Art than these tangibles,โ Callejaโs remarks on NFTs, which are unique digital assets on the blockchain.
In line with this yearโs theme of โNFTs + the Ever-Evolving World of Artโ, Katherine Ng mentioned that TZ APAC is โexcited to showcase especially innovative works that point to NFTs and their limitlessness as a medium, empowering artists as it redefines the scope and scale of todayโs art world in the digital age.โ
โItโs time that we recognize this new generation of digital talent in a traditional forum as the worlds of modern art, technology, and the creator economy continue to converge,โ she added.
โAs the leading contemporary art fair in the world, itโs exciting to once again see the art community able to gather and celebrate the spirit of innovation in todayโs art scene. To have the opportunity to showcase some of the worldโs leading digital art talent is at the heart of what the Tezos ecosystem is celebrated for. NFTs have given these creators an unprecedented opportunity to reach new audiences, hone their craft, and make a name for themselves in an online forum, effectively rewriting the rulebook when it comes to the accessibility of the art world,โ said Katherine Ng, Head of Marketing and Operations at TZ APAC.
The other international artist featured in the exhibit are; Nicolas Sassoon (France) Qingnan Tan (Random Combo) (China), Chaeseok (CS) Lim (South Korea), Lionel Radisson (makio135) (France), Yazid Azahari (Brunei), Munira Hamzah (Mumu the stan) (Malaysia), Iskra Velitchkova (Bulgaria), Michaรซl Zancan (France), Sarah Ridgley (United States), Aleksandra Jovaniฤ (Serbia), Park Se Jin (08AM) (South Korea), Fan Yi Wen (Reva) (China), Matt DesLauriers (Canada), and Wieslaw Borkowski (baiwei) (Poland).
Art Basel Hong Kong 2022 will highlight artworks from 130 local and international exhibitors. For those unable to attend the event in person, galleries will also be presenting their work online as part of ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong,โ in dedicated Online Viewing Rooms.
