Unveiling the Digital Art Evolution: Art Blocks CEO's Journey from Pixels to Prints

As an avid creator of digital art, I have long harbored reservations about translating my digital creations into physical forms. This sentiment was echoed by Art Blocks founder and CEO, Erick Snowfro Calderon, during a discussion with Benny Redbeard Gross at Rug Radio's R Haus event at Art Basel Miami in December. Calderon expressed his reluctance to venture into the physical realm with his first generative art collection, Chromie Squiggle, a 10,000 piece NFT collection that propelled Art Blocks to the forefront and laid the foundation for its digital art dominance. Despite generating an impressive 74,700 ETH in sales, Calderon remained cautious about the idea of printing his Chromie Squiggles, stating, "They're not meant to be printed. It's a digital-first piece." However, through a collaboration with Avant Arte, a platform specializing in limited edition physical and on-chain art pieces, Calderon found a harmonious balance of textures and tones to bring one of his cherished Squiggles, 8107, into the physical realm.

Key Points from the Conversation:

• Chromie Squiggle Print Edition:
• 262 print editions were sold during a limited sales window in December.

• The collaboration with Avant Arte facilitated the translation of a digital artwork into a physical print.

• Color Representation:

• Calderon acknowledged the challenge of accurately representing colors in a print compared to a digital screen.

• The addition of texture, such as ribs, helped mitigate the perception of imperfect color representation.

• Perception of Printed Art:

• Calderon expressed satisfaction with the printed version of his artwork, emphasizing his pride in seeing it in physical form.
• The addition of texture enhanced the printed artwork, creating a more tangible and immersive experience for viewers.

For a more in-depth exploration of Calderon's design philosophy, color choices, and the rationale behind releasing an official print from his successful NFT art project, I recommend watching the full conversation. It offers valuable insights into Calderon's creative process and the evolution of digital art into physical manifestations.