How Art Blocks is leading a generative art renaissance
Generative art frequently hits the Web3 headlines with blue-chip art projects such as Art Blocks. But where did it all come from? Let's find out.
Let's take a trip into the world of fine art
We'll cover:
1/ What is generative art
2/ A new era
3/ The value of art
4/ A generative flood
What is Generative Art?
Before we begin, we need to determine what generative art is and where it came from. As a whole, generative art is art that has been created by an autonomous system. Something which isn't a human. The subset we're specifically talking about is called algorithmic art. Which is the idea of using code to create the visual output.
Many people believe this all began with NFTs, but it couldn't be further from the truth. Join me on a journey back in time.
One of the pioneers of algorithmic art was Herbert Franke.
An Austrian scientist and writer. He released his first piece of algorithmic art in 1962. Using an analogue computer and cathode-ray oscillograph. He went on to produce a number of famous collections.
Check out some of his pieces below. Many of them wouldn't look out of place in the Art Blocks curated series.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F513f81b4-fd89-4ed7-b380-bb177f7fa1a3_2575x2600.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2b637a4-641e-413f-b3f3-4eb7c148eede_700x700.webp)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3cb6c189-d8b9-4a21-ae1f-637dcfb2ab3f_1500x1061.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3df18ef4-63e4-41f3-80b4-ce65e825ca40_670x447.jpeg)
Ever since then generative art has been lurking in the shadows. With a keen and close-knit community but largely unknown to the wider population. When blockchain technology was invented and generative art was combined with NFTs that soon began to change.
A New Era
Although generative art was around long before NFTs, the tech helped to usher in a new era of generative art. Not only bringing in plenty of new attention but also new challenges for the artists.
Before capped NFT collections, artists could create countless copies, picking and choosing the best output. But by creating a limited-run, immutable collection it forces artists to refine their code. Any bad output will be sealed in the blockchain history books for eternity. Artists must trust their code so much that they are willing to give over control and publish as a single, complete, body of work.
Not only this but blockchain tech allows artists to share their work in a monumental way. Many generative artists have been creating for years, only for their work to be saved to a hard drive and never seen again. Blockchain creates a global gallery, accessible to billions.
Art Blocks elevates this process to the highest level. Spotlighting artists using their series of curated collections and displaying their work to an eager community.
The Value of Art
It's all well and good talking about fine art and pioneering artists, but does the NFT space actually care about all that? Or are they just in it to make a quick buck? Art blocks price action tells an interesting story.
As we all know the crypto space has entered a bear market. With NFTs being hit particularly hard. The majority of projects have seen drastic falls in floor price but what has held up well through all this?? You guessed it. Art Blocks.
Let's check out the data…
The NFT space saw its cycle top in early May. Here's the YTD floor price chart for two of the largest NFT projects, Bored Ape Yacht Club and Azuki.
Both saw a blow-off top, followed by a unforgettable dump. And have since struggled to regain strength.
Now let's check out two of Artblocks' most popular collections. Chromie Squiggles by Snowfro (Erick Calderon) and Fidenza by Tyler Hobbs.
Neither showed the same blow-off top, or a steady decline in floor price. They instead showed strength. If you bought at the peak of the NFT bull run you'd even be UP a nice amount right now.
What can we conclude from this? The space does value the Art. People are collecting the pieces because they have a real love for them. They aren't just waiting for a quick flip.
In an interview with Ian Rogers, the founder of Art Blocks (Erick Calderon) said
"there was no utility that was promised other than, just enjoy the fucking art"
And that's exactly what people are doing. Enjoying beautiful art and asking for nothing more.
A Generative Flood
With the interest in generative art exploding, it seems logical to ask the question of whether the market will get over-saturated. Not only is there more interest in the art than ever before. But it's also easier to access means of creating it.
It's a very real possibility for sure. However, I personally believe this will only elevate the art quality to a new level. In a sea of generative art only truly spectacular pieces will keep their heads above the water.
Advancements in blockchain tech will also open new doors.
New mediums to display art.
New metaverses to consume art.
New tools to create it.
Innovation will prosper.