NFTs are taking over the world, and the future of art is quickly merging with this new digital currency. Digitalisation of classical and modern paintings purposed for personal ownership may sound like a radical and futuristic idea, but this perception has changed in 2022.
NFTs allow anyone who loves art and is interested in acquiring priceless pieces for personal collection to own a share of their favourite piece of art, be it a 15th century painting or an exhibit in the Tate Modern. Since the beginning of the year, leading galleries and museums have been digitalising their centuries-old collections, joining the “NFT rush”.
Art turned into NFTs is rapidly changing the way artists are paid and revolutionising how ownership of art works. Private galleries have not been left behind: just last week a small circle of art-lovers and collectors of London’s elite bohemian art scene had a chance to attend an exclusive NFT pre-launch party organised by the new private member’s club The Unknown Philanthropist, which focuses on creating a niche environment for the collection of the most valuable and economically promising pieces of modern art.The presentation took place in central London at the famous Eight Members Club and offered a variety of unique twists for the sophisticated public. The presentation was attended by the specially invited guest artist and the member of the club Sam Moyle, illustrator and the designer of the famous Stranger Things monster, Demogorgon.
The event opened with welcoming drinks and the introduction of a small party of privately invited guests. After everyone arrived, the founders of The Unknown Philanthropist introduced an innovative vision of art ownership and explained all the great possibilities their club offered to its members. The club is expected to have only a thousand members, with memberships acquired on one-in one-out basis. The creators, who own galleries in both East and West London (the Chelsea Gallery on King Street and the Shoreditch Gallery located near Brick Lane), present this membership as “the first of its kind in London” and providing “special perks with it such as gallery ownership and access to real-world events along with physical ownership of a blue-chip art portfolio and super-rare NFTs in members’ portfolio”.
The Unknown Philanthropist already owns a number of rare art pieces including a collection by the London-based Argentinian artist Ricardo Cinalli and a well-known graffiti by street artist Alec: “Get Up Monopoly Portobello Road”. The club is welcoming new members to acquire partial ownership of these through NFTs. Of course, the club offers perks to their artists, as confirmed by Sam Moyle who became one of the artists presented by The Unknown Philanthropist because of their artist-friendly approach that “allowed him to focus on his own representation rather than commissioning projects to order.” According to Sam, “this is a great opportunity for self-expression without financial struggles.”
As mentioned earlier, this was an exclusive pre-launch event to introduce the potential members to the concept that The Unknown Philanthropist offers. The official launch is planned for February 2023, after which all events by the club will happen in a highly private and members-only format in one of the private galleries of the club.
