6 NFT Artists And Experimental Studios To Watch In 2023

Steve Pikelny, the brilliant artist behind the captivating image shown in Maps of Nothing #255, generously provides us with a visual masterpiece.

When it comes to digital art, we have witnessed significant growth in the world of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) in the past three years. However, we have also witnessed dramatic drops in the market value of collectible NFTs. Initially, collectors were able to make considerable profits from investing in collectibles. Unfortunately, recently it seems like there is an excessive production of PFP collectibles (NFTs that can be used as profile pictures on social media), which has resulted in a decline in the stability of NFT prices. Nevertheless, according to CryptoSlam, a platform that aggregates data from the crypto world, people are still engaging in NFT trades worth millions of dollars every day. Specifically, in the last week of June alone, approximately $118 million worth of NFT trades were conducted.

It's evident that the NFT art industry is still going strong. The real interrogation lies in determining the aspects of digital art that will be most highly esteemed by enthusiasts in the year 2023.

NFTs continue to serve as an excellent means to establish worldwide communities centered around artists and genres. These digital assets hold significance beyond confirming ownership of a specific PFP; they also serve as a splendid artistic platform, deliberately designed to be remarkably flexible and accommodating of daring ideas and storylines. Among the multitude of groundbreaking artists exploring the realm of NFTs, a handful have ventured into uncharted territories by utilizing advanced technology to craft distinct styles that challenge conventional boundaries.

Born in California, Sara Ludy explores the natural world in strange and captivating ways that draw attention to its mystical qualities. Her innovative work has been showcased in prestigious venues like the Whitney Museum of American Art. Ludy employs various mediums, including painting, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, video, and websites, to bring her artistic vision to life. Her latest project, Daance Dange Daice, is a collaborative effort with Refraction, a DAO DAO dedicated to cultural production, and aims to support the non-profit organization Rhizome, a pioneer in digital art for nearly thirty years. Notably, this venture marks Ludy's initial exploration into the realm of AI.

Sara Ludy, Daance Dange Daice #101, provided by the artist for our viewing pleasure.

Entangled Others is an artistic collaboration between Sofia Crespo from Argentina and Feileacan McCormick from Norway. These two talented individuals utilize advanced technology like neural networks, AI image generation, 3D modeling, and quantum computing to give life to their imaginative concepts. Through their unique approach, Entangled Others delves into various manifestations of life and marries it with the beauty of technology. Their remarkable contributions were prominently featured in a virtual fundraising event for the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in 2022, ultimately leading to the museum acquiring their work. This significant acquisition served as a bridge between the NFT world and the more traditional realm of art.

Stevie P, who is based in Brooklyn, has a background in economics. Through his artwork, he delves into the world of internet scams and fictitious investment schemes, creating an entertaining performance like no other. Stevie, who possesses great coding skills, takes charge of every aspect of his projects. He thoroughly investigates and incorporates smart contracts (immutable programs native to blockchain) into his artwork. This highly productive artist releases new work almost every month, leaving his loyal audience (whom he affectionately calls "his business associates") always wanting more. His most recent collaboration with the renowned generative art platform Art Blocks is titled "Dopamine Machines (2023)," focusing on the language of online advertising.

Tanya Cruz, Hana Omori, and Isabel Ramos, the creators of Keiken, are pictured in a photograph taken by Callum Leo Hughes, which was kindly provided by Daata and the artists.

Many people appreciate the beauty found in video game worlds, but only a few are aware of how some artists use them as a form of art. Keiken, a collective operating in Berlin and London, specializes in performance, video games, and digital art. They are well-known for their unique approach of "working inside a gaming engine" to create their artworks. Keiken's creations transport us to imaginative realms that inspire contemplation of better futures. Their latest NFT project, Wisdoms for Neknel, was recently released in collaboration with digital art publishers Daata, assisted by AI technology. This project invites people to explore a world where wisdom holds value as a currency.

Jonas Lund, an artist originally from Sweden but now based in Berlin, has been actively experimenting with blockchain technology for over five years. Lund is always pushing boundaries, working across various art forms such as sculpture, painting, artificial intelligence, smart contracts, and even tapestry-making. Injecting his work with a healthy dose of humor, Lund invites his audience to explore new technologies alongside him. In 2018, Lund introduced a token called JLT, which allows token holders to participate in decision-making processes that impact his artistic practice. Currently, Lund is preparing to launch his first Signature project on the up-and-coming platform Wild.xyz, titled Most Accidents Happen at Home (2023).

Disclaimer: I am affiliated with the curation team at wild.xyz.

Since 2011, this group of artists based in New York City and Brooklyn has been capturing the essence of internet counter-culture. They explore various mediums, such as music, parties, digital art, and have even established their own marketplace. These innovators constantly push boundaries and find new ways to perceive reality. Felt Zine, led by Mark Sabb, Dev Moore, and Jawn Reyes, operates like a well-coordinated machine. Their recent notable partnership was with Givenchy, a luxury brand. Matthew Williams, the Creative Director of Givenchy, explained in an interview with Complex that the collaboration aimed to combine streetwear and contemporary art in the realm of web3 with a strategic approach.

NFTs have opened up opportunities for improved valuation and visibility of digital artwork overall, leading to a thriving market in recent years. The aforementioned artists and groups demonstrate that NFTs offer more than just silly images, and they prove that embracing innovation holds genuine worth in the virtual world.