Life is punctuated with text. Words wake us in the morning and follow us to sleep. It guides us through
A canvas of flinching cells, a frame with skin-like texture, and an array of eye-catching colors draw you into an
As we welcome each new year, our optimism is put to the test. We bring in fresh dreams, make commitments,
Immerse yourself in a world where digital art meets human experience, identity, and connection. “We Are The Vibists” is a piercing and heartfelt curation by Jen Panepinto, AKA QuantumSpirit, set to take center stage at Muscle Beach during this year’s Art Basel Miami from December 8-10. Brought to life by Illust, this innovative AR art walk seeks to provoke thought and spark conversations about our rapidly evolving cyber world.
Introducing the Vibists
The “Vibists” represent a modern movement of digital artists who push the boundaries of traditional art forms. They are not just creators; they are connectors, using digital media as a bridge to unite disparate ideas and people. According to the curator Jen Panepinto, she came up with this concept in one of those rare moments when she was in between projects and had time to reflect on the last year in web3. “I finally had a moment to sit back and look at the space as a whole, and look at kind of what makes us who we are, and what’s important to me is that I wanted to make sure that I re-introduced who we are as ‘1 of 1’ artists in web3.”
These artists, brought together by Jen’s vision, challenge the status quo and inspire audiences to view the world through a different lens. By exploring ideas that are inherently intangible, they help us to understand the in-betweenness of life in an increasingly digital world.
Featured Artists and Their Works
“We Are The Vibists” showcases a wide array of artists, each with a unique style and themes. These artists use digital media to explore the question of what it means to be human in a world where the lines between reality and online worlds continue to blur. Each piece of art will serve as a testament to the artists’ creativity and their ability to reflect the human experience in the digital age.
“When I think about the concept of being ‘in between,’ specifically in terms of the way this was curated, looking at more surreal and metaphysical things, vibey things, I really wanted to capture that transformative moment when you’re going through a change, and reality becomes surreal for a moment, you’re not quite one thing or another.”
–Illustrata
“In a weird way I think [my photographic process] is my way of tapping into alternate ways of thinking and being and turning over power to forces that are far more interesting than what I could have planned out by myself.”
–Jim Roll
“We’re able to break apart from ourselves. There is this sense of self beneath ourselves, and we are intertwined with it, we are united with it, and the only real way, in my opinion, to ignite a path of passion or realization or enlightenment is to kind of deunite from that self.”
–BLAC
“At first glance it’s just a messy collage, but I actually put a ton of time into it, and for me, it’s kind of the reality of all the ideas that are bouncing around in my brain constantly. I have a hard time sitting down and focusing on just one thing, and it’s like that psychedelic reset, the control-alt-delete, where I can look at all the files and try to make sense of them and pull the beauty out.”
–friskyfoxtrot
“I can still feel the heat from the glass that this piece originated from. I can remember making the glass and imagining the digital life of it. The soft pauses represent those moment of mental drift when living in between different mediums, different worlds.”
–p0ng
“Imagine being surrounded by a whirl of events, like sparks flying in all directions. In that mix, there’s a smile that stays put. It’s about not just getting by, but shining through tough times, because sometimes the chaos is what gets us moving.”
–Emaweird
“In my work I’ve always been really fascinated with the universe…I always was really into space movies and what was out there, and I wanted to be moving through the cosmos.”
–Infinite Mantra
“UNUM VIS invites contemplation on the interconnected nature of our existence, where the lines between self and other blur into a harmonious unity. This is not merely a representation; it is a visual exploration of the profound interplay of identity and connection in the grand tapestry of human oneness.”
–FARRAH CARBONELL
“I like things to have a handmade feel even if it is AI. I do enjoy film, shooting on film, and that sort of thing, and I like that kind of vintagey, nostalgic kind of feel you get with this sort of process, the one that I like to work with, and the whole thing about having your family connections and how that affects your whole life, your mental state, you know, in some ways. Yeah, it’s kinda about how your past can shape you, and how your connections, with family, with friends, with people that you vibe with on X, how all of that can affect your work and your life.”
–Weird Momma
“The piece depicts the subject in a state of substance induced introspection; journeying through the intricate landscapes of the subconscious and exploring the boundaries between reality and the fantastical realms of the mind.”
–Moba
“There’s always something bad happening and always something good happening, and it’s really about the way that we manage to exist within that illusion of happiness, that illusion of the moment we create.”
–Nuclear Samurai
“Your pain is also other people’s pain, and there is a collectiveness to sharing that, so I guess it’s sort of like the dissolution of illusion in terms of individuality, but also of whether you’re fine or not…there’s the realization of what humanity is, but also trying to be at peace with and sharing that desire to find stillness.”
–KEZIAI
BASKING IN EPHEMERA
–ABCDJ
“At certain points in my life I’ve felt far away from myself, like, being on the outside and just watching how everything goes, and this piece speaks about it. I’m kind of in-between; I’m in a surreal place, like everything is kind of foggy and I’m just contemplating all of the messy stuff and chaos that’s going on in your head. But in my pieces I try to find a certain calmness…layers and the complexity of thoughts…and balance in the overall picture.”
–Hanne Van Briel
“Are we all replaceable?”
–kapstone
“Beneath the surface of things seen, there lie deeper truths concealed, veiled by the senses’ narrow sheen, yet real as rock. The unseen mystical woven strands are hidden in the wonderlands of the mind. We deftly leave the shackles of this place and soar on gossamer wings, encountering Beauty in realms only known in the unconscious.”
–Neal
What Makes “We Are The Vibists” Stand Out?
Unlike other curations, “We Are The Vibists” leverages the power of digital media to create an immersive experience. The curation embraces the digital revolution, highlighting its impact on art and how we perceive it. It’s not just about viewing art; it’s about experiencing it, engaging with it, and understanding its relevance in our contemporary world.
The AR Gallery Experience
Attendees can expect an interactive experience at the AR gallery in Miami. The exhibit, powered by Illust, aims to engage art enthusiasts and collectors alike, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the world of digital art. From experimental photography to digital collage to artificial intelligence, the curation promises to be a visual feast that will stimulate the senses and challenge conventional thinking.
Art Basel Miami has always been a platform for showcasing groundbreaking work, and “We Are The Vibists” is no exception. It’s not just a curation; it’s a revelation, a testament to the transformative power of digital art.
As we count down the days to this exciting event, one thing is certain: “We Are The Vibists” is set to redefine what we think about art, pushing boundaries, and challenging norms along the way. Sound like something you can vibe with? Immerse yourself in the art and the vision, and feel free to join the movement, because as Jen Panepinto put it, “I think we are all Vibists if we want to be.”
Read the full curation statement here, and follow us on X to stay tuned for contests, helpful links, and more information about what Mint Gold Dust is doing in Miami.
There are many reasons to feel like the world is different coming out of the COVID 19 pandemic. We understand the virility of trends in a new context. Globalization has taken on new meaning. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is how important connection and community are to us. Even when we were apart, art brings us together. In a time of social distance, it helped us bridge the physical gap between us.
One aspect of the NFT art revolution that is both a blessing and a curse is its global nature. On one hand, it brings people together who may not have ever met. On the other hand, it means that we experience our community through the lens of a screen. Pulling back the curtain (or the screensaver), we might find that connecting is the most tangible thing in the world, no matter the medium.
The artworks included in the Mint Gold Dust exhibition “Portal Realms” explore the theme of transformation in many ways. Today we can think about the power of community and how it transforms us into the best version of ourselves.
“A Creator’s Soul” by Lianna Adams
Lianna Adams on Community, Education, and Inclusion
The work of Lianna Adams is full of vibrant colors and natural imagery. Instead of shading and blending, she uses detailed imagery to create depth in each piece. Having spent the early days of her career in broadcasting, she has a unique ability to tell stories and to blend mediums.
“I spent my childhood and youth learning embroidery from my grandmother,” she told 79 Au. “That played a huge part in developing my love of art movements like art nouveau, aestheticism. Also my interest in symbolism and the arts and crafts movement.” Like embroidery, her work revels in the beauty of the natural world placed atop a simple surface. Using her unique aesthetic, Adams has worked with digital mediums and physical ones. She has paired her art with design to create unique items like bags, clothing, and pottery.
But one of the things that makes Adams a powerful force in the Web3 ecosystem is her ability to bring people together through art and to use art to spark conversations. “I am always looking for ways to step in and speak up for what is right,” she said. Then she added, “I use art as a way to create dialogue and to cultivate a humanity-first culture within different communities to hopefully build bridges that fosters understanding and compassion.”
“I use art as a way to create dialogue and to cultivate a humanity-first culture within different communities to hopefully build bridges that fosters understanding and compassion.”
Considering the technical nature of Web3, one of the biggest challenges to artists–to anyone–trying to get into the space is a lack of understanding of how it all works. Adams has made a concerted effort to lead people into Web3 and to create a space where people can feel comfortable to ask questions. In the same vein, she has created space for people to voice their struggles with mental health.
Chazz Gold on Connecting Time and Space
Chazz Gold joined me on a video call from a spaceship circling an orange planet. He had just finished working on a new piece of art. It was sort of a request for a piece with a new color palette from one of his collectors. He was so inspired by the idea that he woke up early to make it before hopping on our 8AM call.
“I went to bed and then I had a dream about, like, blending and making darker ones,” he told 79 Au. “I woke up and I went straight to the computer before I even had coffee.”
Chazz approaches everything this way: with unbridled excitement. Since launching his career as an NFT artist in 2021, he has sold over 1,000 pieces. If you look at his Twitter timeline, he is talking about art and AI all day long.
“Neural in Augmentation” by Chazz Gold
Many of his artworks are modern takes on portraiture, which makes sense because he began his career in photography. In one folder that he showed me, he had over 60,000 photographs. “So I can take those and put those through AI and then build on top of them,” he said. “It’s a lot of work, and it doesn’t always come out right. And in the early days using stable diffusion to get something dream-like, it was hard.” He began training his own models, running and re-running them. It took hours, even days or months, to get one good image.
But as AI art tools have evolved, so too has Chazz’s style. Inspired by the duality of cyborgs as both machine and human, he explored the cybernetic. In recent years, he has gotten into the aesthetics of psychedelia. Throughout, his basic technique has remained the same. Beginning with live subjects, he has a photo shoot, and then transforms the human into something metahuman.
How Connections Change Lives
The life of an artist is difficult, especially when you add the stress of minting NFTs. The pressure of being an artist in such a fast-paced environment is apparent. However, until recently, most artists have not felt comfortable talking about burnout, anxiety, or any of the other challenges that they face trying to make it in this space. “When I started the Weekly Mental Health Check-Ins [on Clubhouse] in 2021, there weren’t that many rooms for people to just share how they are doing, really,” she said. A pioneer in helping NFT artists take care of their mental health, she continues to host weekly check-ins and to help others find their strength in community.
“If it wasn’t for the NFT community, I would not have been sober in the pandemic. Honestly, I wouldn’t have, I wouldn’t have made it. Because nobody would’ve known that I went out and used again.”
Right: “The Dark Starchild” by Chazz Gold
“If it wasn’t for the NFT community, I would not have been sober in the pandemic,” Chazz told me. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have, I wouldn’t have made it. Because nobody would’ve known that I went out and used again.” These stories, and so many others like them, show us the life-changing power of online communities. And the connections we have made virtually will only continue to prosper as we begin to meet out in the physical world.
We have created a global community the likes of which have never been seen. And if we can tap into that community, to share our successes as well as our failures, then we will thrive, together.
Ready to get started as an artist or collector on Mint Gold Dust? Check out our Metamask start up guide to get started. Ready to start minting? Apply to talk with our curatorial team today.
By utilizing blockchain, AR, VR AI, the exhibition showcases how these technologies can enable new forms of collaboration and decentralization in the art world, empowering artists and audiences alike.
Curations | NFT.NYC | Mint Gold Dust event!
Happy spring from Mint Gold Dust!
As we shed our winter layers, we’re transformed by the thoughts of warmer weather, sunshine, and regenerative vibes as we continue to cultivate and nurture the enthusiasm in the NFT and digital art spaces.
NFT.NYC is coming to New York City next week and we are excited to re-connect with our Web3 community and learn about the latest projects from the far reaches of the Metaverse.
This is an opportune time to experience the upcoming Mint Gold Dust collection, Portal Realms, put together by our good friend, artist, and curator @JenJoyRoybal.
JenJoy is the co-founder/CEO at SearchLight.art, a woman-led blockchain art organization championing inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility for artists of all types, from all walks.
Last year, JenJoy curated an amazing collection on the Mint Gold Dust platform called CU3NTOS, six pieces from LatinX, Web3 artists that reflect holding onto slipping cultural identities, recalling fading memories, and the nostalgia for the sights and sounds of our youth.
View CU3NTOS.
JenJoy admires the viewpoints of futurist Amy Webb, professor at NYU Stern School of Business and CEO of the Future Today Institute.
In Amy’s recent talk at SXSW 2023, she shared the 16th edition of the Tech Trends Report about how signals are mixing in ways that she’s never seen before – there’s a lot of noise, and this can feel very destabilizing. She explained that even with the advances we have made in tech, there are still many biases and oversights to be on the lookout for.
It’s recognized that new patterns in tech movements take some adjustment, which is a big part of the exploratory theme in Portal Realms. JenJoy believes artists play an important role in making sense of these patterns in much the same way that the artists in the 20th Century helped to make sense of the rise of the industrial age.
“The key is looking at the convergences among, and in between, these technological advancements. In the cacophony of activity is a view of what’s to come. By looking at the confluences, we are able to see a pattern.”
“I like the idea that play, poetry, and art can offer up more perspective about the future, that – with a hint of the absurd – can support this rapidly accelerated transformation we’re undergoing.” she continues, “This show gives viewers a glimpse into that critical activity.”
Look for Portal Realms in the Mint Gold Dust Curated Spaces very soon.
NEXT WEEK
Next Tuesday, April 11, 5:30-7:30PM in NYC:
Our educational and explorative event for artists and art lovers:
“What’s the deal with NFTs?”
Mint Gold Dust Founder, Kelly LeValley Hunt, will address what to consider before creating an NFT, proven provenance, further opportunities for royalties, and helping to restore power to creators.
Tuesday, April 11th from 5:30 – 7:30PM (ET).
Location: The Yard @Herald Square, 106 W 32nd St, NYC.
We’ll be revealing the first NFT by current artist on display at The Yard: Herald Square, Laura Umaña.
Observe and engage in a step-by-step conversation about creating crypto art.
We would love to see you there! RSVP here!
Check out last week’s 79Au to get a closer look into the thoughts behind some of our artist’s creations and their take on the importance of digital art. Read here.
Ready to get started as an artist or collector on Mint Gold Dust? Check out our Metamask start up guide to get started. Ready to start minting? Apply to talk with our curatorial team today.
At Mint Gold Dust, we invite you to get a closer, more personal look into the thoughts and energies behind the artwork. We look for ways to bring artists and collectors together by appreciating creative vibrations in common.
We spoke with some of the artists from our platform and from our 79Au Interview Series and asked them to share thoughts about their process, how they got into digital art, and how they use NFTs as a form of expression.
Here are some of their insights.
In the beginning, LeLapin Mignon felt so out of place in the digital art world that she was hesitant to even use an iPad to create. When a friend from art school told her to look into NFTs and digital art, she thought it would be a difficult endeavor as a non-technical person. It ended up being wonderful, life-changing advice.
She soon realized she could reverse her usual color palette and turn up the vibrancy in ways that were unexplorable with traditional watercolor. This experimentation opened a whole new dimension of creation. This daringness was only possible with the help and support of the growing NFT community.
She now helps other artists create traditional works with embedded animation and music, exploring playful and creative digital possibilities.
“Anatomie d’Une Poussière d’Or is my very own interpretation of Gold Dust. It shines, it explodes with dreams and hopes, it sparkles with joy, while being delicate and ethereal.” Lapin is one of Mint Gold Dust’s eight Genesis artists who created digital art pieces centered around the theme of ‘gold dust’.
Listen to the full interview here: https://bit.ly/3TXXMSm
I grew up the only son of an artist and a single mother. Art was served up daily, and even though we lived in a New York apartment, we rented a basement studio on Perry Street in the west Village. I painted and made collages up to my first year of art school.
Since 2001 I began thinking of myself as a Digital Artist. One of my first shows at the Agora Gallery in New York was titled “Pixel Perfect.” Back then, I made collages out of my photographs by mixing painted elements and individual splices from my photography. My work was unique, and most people didn’t understand Digital Art.
NFT Art is just another extension of tech’s relationship with Art to create something new. The space is most exciting because it’s a level playing field. It brings well-deserved recognition to a new group of programmers and digital artists who the art world had yet to recognize in the past.
-VanDi
Read full interview: https://bit.ly/3jFzFKo
My future is precarious having terminal cancer, and after all of my paintings sold when the news was out, I was left with no inventory. NFTs were, in a way, a solution to a problem both in regards to my digital legacy and the future of my artwork.
I had an idea to delete any trace of me online after I am gone, with the exception of my website. But many people seemed to object to this. Instead, having a little ecosystem of collectors that carry my legacy in the digital space is a pretty cool concept. And my most recent work has all been digital, not oil paint.
The thing is, most people do not understand they are leaving behind a digital dossier of their life online, so why not make certain what happens to it?
-Arabella
Read full interview here: https://bit.ly/3wpbNgP
Many of the stories that live inside us can only emerge through creative expression, whether you mean to or not. Oftentimes I don’t even realize I’m telling a story until it’s finished. Painting is very meditative and a kind of intimacy with your soul that only shows up when it’s ready.
I’m working on a lot. I will likely start sharing more of my VR creations this year, just thinking of fun ways to bring it into the space.
Otherwise, I continue to work with the human figure, abstract portraiture and digital experimentation. I enjoy discovering ways to emulate the feel of my IRL pieces through texture, brushstrokes and layers.
-Rakkaus Art
Read full interview: https://bit.ly/3HawB21
As a digital artist I’ve always had art on the web. Once I learned how to actually upload and post, I added my art on multiple platforms. Especially when I was blogging heavily to promote myself and other people’s content.
So entering the Web3 realm was familiar to an extent. It was just learning the new rules of the land that was actually in my favor as a digital artist. I’m still learning though. Things change in a blink of an eye with time online so it always feels like I’m playing catch up.
Life is definitely a big book of inspiration, and how you see it and gain from it will reflect in the world you create. I just so happen to see it digitally with a lot of extra colors and thick lines. So it actually works hand and hand with doing NFTs. New world on familiar grounds.
-Goldie Gold
Read full interview here: https://bit.ly/3Y9uKQz
Check out last week’s 79Au, written by one of our long-standing staff members who volunteered with ETHDenver and offers an insider’s view of the recent event. Enjoy! https://bit.ly/42uvmn3
Ready to get started as an artist or collector on Mint Gold Dust? Check out our Metamask start up guide to get started. Ready to start minting? Apply to talk with our curatorial team today.
Hello from ETHDenver Pt 2!
There was a record-breaking 30,000+ registrations for the sixth year of ETH Denver! It was incredible to see all the new ideas and organizations entering the Web3 space alongside the stalwarts who have been here since the beginning! Welcome to the Bufficorn noobies!!
The crowds became overwhelming while waiting (forever) in line for food, or coffee and pastries in the mornings. Before we jump into the details, a final shout out to Reunion Bread that fed us (and many more people!) every morning. Their Golfeado, see below, is to die for.
Back to the event itself…. We went wandering dreamily through the ETH Denver ZenZone then visiting the IRL Gallery, meeting inspiring artists. Once such artist was the creative, inspiring, punk rocker Naji, who displayed his wares through his beautiful, one-of-a-kind Art NFts. Their clothing line can be found at youmustsurvive.store.
The program started with the opening ceremony with hundreds of Bufficorns singing on stage. To some it might sound cringy (think a mixture of glitter and Bufficorns), but founder Kelly LeValley Hunt claimed “this is just another day in Ethereum paradise!”
On Friday Kelly spoke on a panel on the Genesis Stage called “Investing in Web3’s Future”, discussing what she looks for when investing in new businesses. Hint: She puts an emphasis on the development team, the founders, product, and the business model.
Other amazing speakers we listened to on the same stage included Joe Lubin, Caitlin Long, and a call-in from Vitalik Buterin.
There were moving and enlightening presentations, including @ameensol talking about @UncahinIran, a DAO which provides legally compliant aid to Iran. He shone a light on a corner of the world that many of us do not think about; emphasizing the importance of paying attention to, and recognizing, human injustices and reminding us that so many people around the world are still fighting for basic freedoms. Something that we at Mint Gold Dust are very grateful for.
The second part of ETHDenver was filled with new connections, amazing speakers, and energizing after parties.
Our love for electric scooters deepened as we sped around the Mile High city; venue jumping during the day, and rolling up to dinners and parties in the evenings. We want public scooters in NYC!
As ETH Denver 2023 closed out, two highlights stand out. We headed over to the Galactic Garden Party at the Beacon in RiNo on Friday evening. The venue was magical, with sacred geometrical groove rooms and amazing dance vibes throughout.
And on Saturday night we got down with our partners at Illust, viewing art and dancing the night away to DJs while sipping on ice cold keg beer! So refreshing – an amazing end to an amazing experience!!
Take a look at last week’s 79Au zine, ETH Denver Pt 1!
We experienced the geo-located art from our platform IRL in Denver!
You can check out the Illust ETHDenver event maps here: Click to view maps.
Ready to get started as an artist or collector on Mint Gold Dust? Check out our Metamask start up guide to get started. Ready to start minting? Apply to talk with our curatorial team today.
Featured Artworks of the Week
Yearly Wrap-Up
As the year comes to a close, we’re reminiscing on past collections featured on Mint Gold Dust. From explorations on AI to collaborations on digitized murals and sculptures, this year was one for the books. Keep reading for a look back at some of our collections from this past year.
Released this Fall, Machine Dialogues is an investigation into how artificial intelligence (AI) can inform the creative process. The artists of Machine Dialogues utilized AI tools across mediums such as Typography, Fine Art, Gaming Artifacts and more. Whether artists were experienced working with AI applications or were new to the programs, Machine Dialogues was an opportunity for them to experiment and expand their vision and art practice with AI.
Created using various forms of AI by Joseph Munisteri, aka Butterflies in Space Joe, Butterfly Space Opera is inspired by classical modern artists and nature. What originally started as writing prompts for Munisteri’s poetry blossomed into a collection of operas filled with drama, tragedy, and spirit. This collection invites viewers to experience AI artworks as a collaboration between man and machine and challenge traditional ideas of art.
Dia al-Azzawi, a pioneer of modern Arab art, launched his first NFT collection this past year on Mint Gold Dust. His fondness and love for his grandson, Frederick, and the importance of future generations inspired his work.
“I wanted to create a body of work that captures a young child’s energy using the traditional shapes and colours I grew up with. By embracing this connection between the old and the new, the Freddie collection allows me to leave a piece of my childhood in the metaverse for future generations to enjoy.”
Austin-based muralist collective, HOPE Campaign, teamed up with Mint Gold Dust and Illust Space during SXSW to digitize murals by local Austin artists and mint them on chain. The physical artworks were originally on display at the convention center for SXSW 2022, however, by utilizing the power of the blockchain, these artists can now earn royalties and archive their artworks.
Mint Gold Dust Event Form
In 2022, Mint Gold Dust welcomed our community to events in New York, Miami, Austin, Denver, and Los Angeles. Next year, find out if we’re hosting an event near you! Be the first to know about our upcoming events by filling out our 1-minute survey below.
Have you seen our latest collection, Cu3ntos? Get all the details of our new curation here.
Ready to get started as an artist or collector on Mint Gold Dust? Check out our Metamask start up guide to get started. Ready to start minting? Apply to talk with our curatorial team today.