Dubai is known for its vibrant and diverse cultural scene, and now it is about to welcome a new addition: an art-tech startup that aims to revolutionize the way people collect and appreciate fine art. Monada Art Gallery 10101, a cutting-edge platform that uses blockchain technology to tokenize and sell digital artworks, is collaborating with Monada Art Gallery in Dubai to showcase some of the most iconic and influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries: Banksy and Andy Warhol.
What is Monada Art Gallery 10101?
Monada Art Gallery 10101 is a platform that allows anyone to buy, sell, and trade digital artworks that are verified and authenticated by blockchain technology. Blockchain is a system of distributed ledger that records transactions and ensures their security and transparency. By using blockchain, Monada Art Gallery 10101 can create digital certificates of ownership for each artwork, which can be transferred and traded on the platform. This way, art collectors can access rare and valuable artworks without having to worry about authenticity, provenance, or storage.
Monada Art Gallery 10101 also aims to democratize the art market by making it more accessible and affordable for everyone. The platform allows users to buy fractional shares of artworks, which means they can own a piece of art without paying the full price. Users can also trade their shares with other users, creating a dynamic and liquid market for digital art. Monada Art Gallery 10101 hopes to attract a new generation of art enthusiasts who are interested in the intersection of art and technology.
What can you expect from the exhibition?
The exhibition, which will run from December 20, 2023 to January 20, 2024, will feature 120 digital artworks from Banksy and Warhol, two of the most influential and controversial artists of their times. Banksy is a mysterious and anonymous street artist who is known for his satirical and provocative graffiti that critique social and political issues. Warhol is a pop art pioneer who challenged the boundaries of art and consumerism with his mass-produced and colorful images of celebrities and everyday objects.
The exhibition will display the digital artworks on large screens and projectors, creating an immersive and interactive experience for the visitors. The artworks will include some of the most famous and recognizable pieces from both artists, such as:
- Girl with a Balloon, a stencil of a girl reaching for a red heart-shaped balloon that symbolizes hope and innocence.
- Flower Thrower, a stencil of a masked rioter throwing a bouquet of flowers that represents peace and resistance.
- Mobile Lovers, a stencil of a couple embracing while looking at their smartphones that comments on the impact of technology on human relationships.
- Campbell’s Soup Cans, a series of 32 paintings of canned soup that reflect the mass consumption and homogeneity of American culture.
- Marilyn Diptych, a painting of 50 images of Marilyn Monroe that contrast her fame and mortality.
- Mao, a painting of the Chinese leader that mixes political propaganda and pop culture.
The exhibition will also offer visitors the opportunity to learn more about the artists and their works, as well as the technology and process behind the tokenization and digitalization of the artworks. Visitors will be able to scan QR codes and access information and videos on their smartphones. They will also be able to buy and sell shares of the artworks on the Monada Art Gallery 10101 platform, as well as browse and discover other digital artworks from various artists and genres.
Why should you visit the exhibition?
The exhibition is a rare and exciting chance to see the works of Banksy and Warhol in Dubai, as well as to experience the innovative and disruptive potential of art-tech. The exhibition will appeal to art lovers, tech enthusiasts, and curious minds alike, as it offers a glimpse into the future of art and culture. By visiting the exhibition, you will be able to:
- Appreciate the artistic vision and expression of Banksy and Warhol, who challenged the status quo and transformed the art world with their unique and original styles.
- Explore the concept and benefits of tokenizing and digitalizing artworks, which can create new possibilities and opportunities for art collectors and creators.
- Participate in the art market and become a digital art owner, which can enrich your personal and financial portfolio.
The exhibition is a partnership between Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Mall of the Emirates, and is supported by Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The exhibition is part of the efforts to enhance Dubai’s cultural and creative sector, and to position the emirate as a global hub for culture, art, and innovation.
