Research
Documenting, contextualizing, and advancing the history of blockchain-based and crypto art.
Overview
Crypto Art Research
Since 2018, my research has focused on documenting and contextualizing the history of crypto art, the movement of artists who adopted blockchain technology as a medium, marketplace, and philosophical framework for creative production.
As a PhD researcher at the University of Zurich’s Department of Art History, I bring a dual perspective: that of a practicing artist who has worked with blockchain technology since its earliest adoption in the art community, and that of an academic trained in art-historical methodology.
My research has been published in Leonardo Journal (MIT Press), Espace Art Actuel, and Right Click Save, and presented at institutions including Kunsthaus Zürich, the Ottawa Art Gallery, and Crypto Art Seoul. The two flagship projects, History of Crypto Art and What is Crypto Art?, are among the most cited independent resources in the field.
Martin Lukas Ostachowski
PhD Researcher & Crypto Art Historian
University of Zurich
Flagship Research
Deep Dives Into Crypto Art
Two comprehensive research projects have become widely cited resources in the crypto art field.
Deep Dive · Interactive Timeline
History of Crypto Art
A comprehensive timeline documenting the evolution of blockchain-based art from 2011 to the present — covering key artworks, platforms, market milestones, and institutional recognition.
Explore the Timeline
Deep Dive · Educational Guide
What is Crypto Art?
An accessible primer on crypto art for curators, researchers, journalists, and anyone approaching the field for the first time.
Read the Guide
Selected
Publications
Selected peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and articles on blockchain-based art, digital ownership, and the emerging history of the crypto art movement.
Selected
Speaking Engagements
Keynotes, panel discussions, and academic lectures delivered at institutions and conferences across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Book a Talk
Invite Martin to Speak
Available for keynotes, panel discussions, and academic lectures on the history and future of blockchain-based art.