From Grass Root to Tie Loot examines the shifting dynamics of the crypto art space, particularly its (d)evolution from a grassroots movement to a venture capital-dominated landscape. What was once a decentralized dream has become a centralized system, in which infrastructure acquisitions and corporate rules have replaced open protocols and an artist-driven ethos. VC-backed projects have cut off some artists—particularly in sanctioned regions—as quickly as a server reboot. The phrase, “I (V)C what you did there,” calls out the not-so-subtle trends as the space, now “trimmed and suited,” drifts further from its decentralized origins.
The price is based on March 11th, 2021, the day an NFT sold for $69m. This groundbreaking sale triggered a digital gold rush, drawing in artists, developers, speculators, venture capitalists and opportunists.
From Grass Root to Tie Loot was exhibited in collaboration with LaCollection and OBJKT during the Digital Art Fair Miami 2024.
