Sotheby's blockchain Gen Art program shows tech taking a back seat to art

In July 2023, Sotheby's launched its blockchain Gen Art program, a partnership with the generative art platform Art Blocks. The program is focused on showcasing and selling generative art, which is art created by algorithms.

The launch of the Gen Art program is a significant development for the generative art market. Sotheby's is one of the world's leading auction houses, and its involvement in the Gen Art program signals that the traditional art world is taking generative art seriously.

The Gen Art program is also a sign that the technology behind generative art is taking a back seat to the art itself. Sotheby's is not marketing the Gen Art program as a new technology platform. Instead, it is marketing the program as a way to buy and sell unique and innovative art.

This shift in focus from technology to art is a positive development for the generative art market. It means that generative art is now being judged on its own merits, rather than on the novelty of the technology behind it.

What is generative art?

Generative art is art that is created by algorithms. Algorithms are sets of instructions that can be used to generate complex patterns and images.

Generative art has been around for decades, but it has only recently become popular. This is due in part to the rise of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which have made it easier to create generative art.

Generative art can be created in a variety of different ways. Some generative artists use code to create their art, while others use visual programming tools.

The Gen Art program

The Gen Art program is a fully on-chain auction platform powered by the Art Blocks Engine. This means that all of the sales on the Gen Art platform are recorded on the Ethereum blockchain.

The Gen Art program features a variety of different generative art projects from leading artists. The program is curated by Sotheby's, which means that only the highest quality generative art is featured.

Why is the Gen Art program significant?

The Gen Art program is significant for a number of reasons. First, it is a sign that the traditional art world is taking generative art seriously. Sotheby's is one of the world's leading auction houses, and its involvement in the Gen Art program is a major vote of confidence for the generative art market.

Second, the Gen Art program is a sign that the technology behind generative art is taking a back seat to the art itself. Sotheby's is not marketing the Gen Art program as a new technology platform. Instead, it is marketing the program as a way to buy and sell unique and innovative art.

Third, the Gen Art program is a sign that the generative art market is maturing. The program is featuring a variety of different generative art projects from leading artists. This suggests that there is a growing pool of high-quality generative art available for purchase.

Implications for the future of generative art

The launch of the Gen Art program is a positive development for the future of generative art. It suggests that the traditional art world is taking generative art seriously, and that the technology behind generative art is taking a back seat to the art itself.

The Gen Art program is also a sign that the generative art market is maturing. The program is featuring a variety of different generative art projects from leading artists. This suggests that there is a growing pool of high-quality generative art available for purchase.

Overall, the launch of the Gen Art program is a positive development for the generative art market. It suggests that the market is maturing, and that generative art is now being judged on its own merits, rather than on the novelty of the technology behind it.

Additional information

Here are some additional thoughts on the Sotheby's blockchain Gen Art program and the future of generative art:

• The Gen Art program is a sign that the generative art market is becoming more mainstream. Sotheby's is one of the most prestigious auction houses in the world, and its involvement in the Gen Art program suggests that generative art is now being seen as a legitimate art form.
• The Gen Art program is also a sign that the generative art market is becoming more sophisticated. The program is featuring a variety of different generative art projects from leading artists. This suggests that there is a growing body of high-quality generative art available