Opinion London Digital Art Week Art Basel and Martin Shkreli rumors among top topics discussed gossip

Disclaimer: The opinions and perspectives shared in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of crypto.news’ editorial team.
Every week, crypto.news presents #hashtag hearsay, a column filled with rumors and stories that are influencing the crypto sphere. If you have insider information, juicy gossip, details about exciting events (especially those with complimentary champagne), please reach out to Dorian Batycka at [email protected]
Dear Hearsay readers,
It has been a challenging week, spending most of it feeling down and gloomy in London, which can feel like a unique form of torture when the weather is dreary and you’re not in the right headspace. On a personal note, I have some news to share as I will be relocating back to Warsaw next week. So, fellow crypto enthusiasts in Poland, feel free to get in touch!
Now, onto the latest buzz…
Is Martin Shkreli launching a new token?
“I have been working tirelessly with my team of 10 colleagues, diligently building a startup. We’re starting to see progress, with notable investors showing interest. Our product is gaining traction, and we are heavily involved in AI and GPU-related work,” Shkreli recently shared about the project.
The twist? Shkreli expressed frustration that a former inmate he met in prison unloaded five million tokens of the project that Shkreli had gifted him before the official launch. This individual promoted the project in private Discord channels while simultaneously selling off his own tokens. Being deceived by someone you met in jail is quite a blow. Seems like ‘pharmabro’ just can’t catch a break.
On the topic of controversial figures, Andrew Tate recently took to social media to praise Bitcoin. Yes, you read that right: the widely criticized masculinity expert voiced his support for Bitcoin while under house arrest in Romania. His rationale? It’s a form of resistance against tyranny! Or, in his case, possibly a way to evade taxes.
London’s Digital Art Week made a splash last week, proving that NFTs are far from obsolete. They may just be shifting to digital screens like the Ventana LED, the ultra-thin digital displays I encountered at Ideaworks Experience. A champagne reception was held to honor the work of digital artists Yuma Yanagisawa and Ryan Koopmans in Mayfair. Koopmans, a pioneer in digital art photography, is known for his depictions of post-Soviet ruins in countries like Georgia and Armenia. His landscapes often explore the tension between life and death, reflecting on the fragile nature of existence.
Turning away from communist remnants, Yuga Labs announced a round of layoffs due to a decline in demand for PFPs (profile picture NFTs). The CEO of Yuga Labs acknowledged this shift, stating, “To put it simply: Yuga lost its way. Realigning ourselves and getting back on track means operating as a smaller, more flexible, and crypto-savvy team.” It appears that PFPs may have lost their appeal.
Events to look forward to:
The Digital Art Mile at the upcoming Art Basel fair from June 10-16. This event will introduce a digitally-focused section to the renowned Art Basel fair in Switzerland, located in Basel’s Rebgasse district. Spearheaded by web3 collectors and curators George Bak and Roger Haas, the Digital Art Mile will feature works by Tezos and other web3-oriented galleries and crypto art initiatives.
Additionally, the recent Venice Biennale lacked digital art offerings, except for Sam Spratt’s poignant presentation of the Monument Game, organized by 1OF1 (on display until June 23, 2024). Spratt’s latest immersive experience in Venice includes original paintings and a game, showcasing how digital art, and its connection to video games and world-building, is reshaping the traditional binary ethos of digital art history.
Although I missed the Venice Biennale due to attending token2049 in Dubai, Autism Capital has captured the essence of my typical experience at art/crypto events.
In conclusion, NFTs are far from obsolete. They serve as layers of history, reflecting the passage of time and effort. Whether it’s a rare pepe meme or a digital artwork, these tokens symbolize digital significance and hold value for the internet generation.
That’s all for this week, folks – stay curious, and remember to enjoy some time outdoors
Warm regards from a rare sunny day in London, England. April 30, 2024.
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