Text Me: NFT artworks inspired by language, typography, and symbolic communication in a digital age

Everything we see on screens is text at some point. Digital image files at a low level get converted to binary pixels in order for people to perceive them as such. The artworks in this exhibition honor the special magic that text has to play in current digital NFT art and design. Some of the pieces are explicitly about text or made out of ASCII characters. Others use language and calligraphy in beautiful and evocative ways. There are pieces that also highlight humanity’s use of communication technology and how the tools and circumstances we face are currently evolving. The overall goal of this exhibit is to spark curiosity and reflection about how what we see is created. In conjunction with the naturally thought-provoking mediums of NFTs and cryptocurrencies, this exhibit will be exceptionally stimulating, given that visitors often think critically about large concepts such as value, provenance, communication, and artistic expression.

Celebrating the Intersection of Text Art and Technology

As digital art continues to evolve, the Seattle NFT Museum is proud to present a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the vibrant intersection of text art, calligraphy, language, and visual communication in design. This curated show brings together over 20 talented artists from around the world, showcasing their innovative works across 27 screens in a stunning display of creativity and technological prowess.

This exhibition takes an abstract approach to exploring why text is essential to the digital imagery that we have all come to know and love. Society is currently obsessed with AI and computers. Rather than hosting a completely AI-driven art exhibition or purely highlighting algorithmic work, this is an opportunity to dive deeper into human relationships with text, language, and communication technology. By highlighting art that is:

• Made with code

• Created with calligraphy techniques

• Representative of typography principles in graphic design

• Made to represent communication technology, and the beauty and importance of text, characters, and language

Why Text and Technology?

Why is it that right now, AI is booming, and the product bringing it to the masses is ChatGPT? Although it boasts multi-modal capabilities, this advanced AI chatbot has gained popularity through its simple chat interface. Furthermore, AI artwork tools are trending, and there's an uncanny valley vibe permeating visual and written communication. It’s hard to know what is and isn’t augmented given that so many popular tools integrate AI features, making it seamless to use. Given this context, it’s crucial to appreciate the inherent beauty of the foundational systems that underpin all this: language. This extends to subsets such as written alphabet characters, programming languages, codecs for graphical user interfaces, and more. In the realms of AI, communication, and digital art, it all boils down to text. This exhibition underscores the critical role of text in the digital age, making it both timely and profoundly relevant. By highlighting the intricate connections between text and technology, we invite visitors to reflect on the underlying systems that shape our digital experiences, from ancient calligraphy and the ASCII art of early computing to the complex neural networks driving today’s AI innovations. 

Many people have become modern-day tech worshippers (at their will or by necessity), fascinatingly fixated on viewing screens, emailing, DMing, texting, and typing. So let’s celebrate humanity's shift into cyborgism and admire the languages tools that both humans and computers understand.

Emily Edelman Illumination 8 and Illumination 12.

Meet the Artists

We are thrilled to feature an eclectic mix of artists, each bringing their own distinct style and perspective to the exhibition. From established names in the global digital art world to emerging talents, our lineup includes:

• PLANTTDADDII: also known as Sam Clover, they draw inspiration from themes like evolutionary biology and digital connection, their artwork often explores humanity's relationship with non-human entities, reflecting a deep fascination with the natural world. They've collaborated with tech giants, musicians, and global brands, showcasing their work at prestigious venues from Paris' Grand Palais Éphémère to the Taj Mahal.

• Nicole Ruggiero: her 3D art explores personal and interpersonal connections in the post-internet society, blending digital and physical worlds. She has collaborated with brands like Porsche and Lady Gaga and exhibited at The Hole NYC and Art Basel Miami.

• Aaron Penne: an artist and engineer based in Seattle, has been creating generative art since 2018 and serves as Director of Engineering at Art Blocks. His work, collected by institutions like the ZKM Center for Art and Media, has been exhibited globally, including the ArtScience Museum in Singapore and the Seattle Art Museum.

• Henry Mandell: a Manhattan-born artist with a BFA from Ithaca College, merges contemporary artistic practices with scientific principles in his work. His paintings and drawings, held in collections like the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, explore the human condition through innovative, abstract imagery.

• Colton Sampson: an emerging artist from Seattle, holds a BFA in Studio Arts from Western Washington University. His sculptural work merges urban infrastructure curiosity with speculative contemporary mythologies, exhibited at venues like Vestibule and Geheime Gallery.

• Saeko Ehara: a Kirakira artist and VJ from Tokyo, combines AI and generative art to explore sparkling aesthetics. Her work has been exhibited globally, including solo and group shows at the Theater of Digital Art in Dubai and Immersive Museum TOKYO 2023.

• DJ Kero: known for his innovative electronic compositions and live performances, has released music on labels like Warp and Ghostly International. His work blends music, graphic design, and video production, making a significant impact in contemporary art circles worldwide.

• Atelier: Atelier, founded by Pixel Symphony and Æther in Silicon Valley, is a dynamic studio committed to craftsmanship and artistic exploration, fostering a community where artists can refine their practice and engage in meaningful dialogue. As both artists and collectors, Atelier excels in identifying trends in the generative art marketplace, curating thematic group shows that showcase the collective strength and originality of its members.

• Rapha: a generative artist based in New York City, specializing in 3D works rendered in real-time in the browser. His creative work blends his scientific background and love for literature, producing technical themes with poetic color effects through intense layering, a practice he developed in the early 2000s in the context of net-art.

• Hal09999: uses codes and custom algorithms to create digital artworks, exploring aesthetic spaces and revealing novel structures inspired by nature and science. Currently based in France, HAL09999 divides their time between Paris and the seaside, and their productions have been showcased internationally in cities like New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, Zurich, Valencia, and on various online platforms.

• Emily Edelman: a generative artist and designer from Brooklyn, explores communication and text as art through grid systems. Her work has been exhibited internationally with Art Blocks and Bright Moments, and she co-founded Token Art, an art and technology unconference.

• Nishe: a French artist and graphic designer, founded the "Futuristic Paintings" style, blending organic textures and geometric lettering. Her work addresses the human condition in the digital era, using traditional mediums to explore themes of control and chaos.

• Harshit Agrawal: an AI artist and HCI researcher, explores the human-machine creativity continuum through his work at Adobe's Machine Intelligence Design team since September 2019. His innovative approach integrates traditional art media with advanced machine learning techniques, showcased globally at venues such as the Tate Modern and Ars Electronica.

• Maya Man: an artist exploring contemporary identity culture online through websites, generative series, and installations. Her impactful creations, including the browser extension Glance Back and the Art Blocks collection FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT, have been exhibited globally and featured in renowned publications like Art in America, Forbes, Vogue, and Dazed.

• Canek Zapata: born in 1985 in Mexico City, is a net artist exploring automated writing models, internet languages, and AI. He seeks new ways to let the computer express itself, pushing the boundaries of digital creativity.

• PUBLIKFRUIT: a freelance 3D artist and motion designer from Germany, has been creating for about 15 years. With a background in cinema, they blend cinematic techniques with 3D artistry to create visually compelling work.

• Demon Ego: a multimedia artist and researcher, blends horror, mythology, and psychology in his artwork. His diverse creations, exhibited in Europe and featured in magazines, use various media to explore surreal beings and human fears.

• Kior: a digital painter/creator based in Korea who loves to unfold the intricate narratives woven within human minds through the language of visual art.

• braindead.gif: a pixel artist, delves into themes of nihilism, nature, and existential crisis. Their art uses meticulously placed pixels to evoke reflection on time, death, and the human experience.

• don't Buy: a visual artist specializing in digital paintings, videos, and GIFs, blending artificial intelligence technology with mixed media. His work explores the aesthetic of retro digital windows and interfaces, reflecting on the theme of digital reality by juxtaposing AI-generated images with overlapping windows to create a cohesive artistic statement.

• PERFECT L00P: a multidisciplinary artist from Colorado in the United States. His art is high saturation, high contrast, looping works. His work has a focus on human computer interactions and inescapable situations.

• Andreas Gysin: renowned for his innovative work in art and design, seamlessly blends graphic design with interactive installations, kinetic sculptures, and generative art, which has been exhibited internationally. His pieces explore the relationship between digital and physical worlds, utilizing algorithms, electronics, and mechanical components.

• Victor Arce: is an artist and educator from Barecelona who takes retro-computer aesthetics, the accelerated visual culture of the last decade and the abstract and colorful nature of glitch-art as references for his graphic work. His area of interest includes Open-Source ethics, Post-Internet, DIY, interdisciplinary remixing and making artistic experimentation accessible and horizontal for everyone.

Highlights of the Exhibition

Interactive Installations: Several works in the exhibition are interactive, allowing visitors to engage with the art in new and exciting ways.

Local Artists: Highlighting Seattle-based artists, Aaron Penne, Henry Mandell, PLANTTDADDII (Sam Clover), Nicole Ruggiero, and Colton Sampson.

Thought Provoking: This exhibition invites contemplation on the profound intersections of text, technology, and human creativity. It challenges viewers to consider how digital tools and AI are reshaping artistic expression, from the ancient roots of calligraphy to the cutting-edge algorithms driving modern generative art. Through interactive installations and thought-provoking artworks, visitors are encouraged to reflect on the evolving role of language and communication in an increasingly digitized world.

Why You Should Visit

This exhibition is not just a showcase of art; it's a journey into the heart of creativity and technology. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a tech lover, or simply curious about the future of digital expression, Text Me offers something for everyone. Explore the power of language, the beauty of typography, and the limitless possibilities of digital art in this one-of-a-kind exhibition at the Seattle NFT Museum.

Join Us

We invite you to join us at the Seattle NFT Museum for this one-of-a-kind exhibition. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or simply curious about the latest trends in digital art, this show promises to offer something for everyone. Come and explore how text and technology are converging to create new forms of artistic expression that are as engaging as they are groundbreaking.

Exhibition Dates and Details

Public Opening

• Start Date: July 29th, 2024

• Location: Seattle NFT Museum, 2123 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

• Hours: 12pm - 5pm

• Admission: Free

Opening Reception (Belltown Art Walk Event):

• Date: August 9th, 2024

• Location: Seattle NFT Museum, 2123 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

• Hours: 5pm - 8pm

• Admission: Free

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our Eventbrite.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this extraordinary journey into the world of text art and digital innovation!

Contact Us

For more information about the exhibition please contact vankaliane@gmail.com or to schedule a private tour, please contact info@snftm.com.

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