HEK (House of Electronic Arts) Joins Forces with Tezos Foundation for First Virtual Exhibition

The HEK (House of Electronic Arts) has announced a partnership with the Tezos Foundation to launch its first virtual exhibition. This initiative aims to explore experimental media art through a unique curatorial process led by Scalera and Cramerotti. The exhibition will be accessible to the public until mid-August, showcasing a range of digital artworks that highlight the often-overlooked corners of the internet.

Key Takeaways

The HEK and Tezos Foundation partnership initiates a virtual exhibition called 404_LAND.
Renowned curators Scalera and Cramerotti will present works that explore neglected areas of the internet.
The exhibition can be viewed through a special kiosk in the HEK lobby, enhancing accessibility.
Tezos will feature digital art and NFTs, engaging with audiences both online and offline.
HEK has been active since 2011 in examining the impacts of media technologies on society and culture.

HEK (House of Electronic Arts) and Tezos Foundation Announce Partnership’s Inaugural Virtual Exhibition

Main Content

The recent announcement marks the start of the curatorial process for the inaugural virtual exhibition, which is set to continue until mid-August. This follows the initial partnership declaration between HEK and Tezos Foundation. Scalera and Cramerotti, celebrated for their collaborative work in both institutional and digital realms, previously curated Art Dubai Digital and have advised various organizations and cultural authorities, including the Italian Ministry of Culture and the British Council. Their expertise will enrich the HEK Virtual Exhibition, showcasing experimental media art deeply intertwined with cutting-edge technology.

The overarching theme of the exhibition, 404_LAND, draws on the concept of "error" as both metaphor and intellectual foundation. This group exhibition gathers artists who probe the hidden and overlooked spaces of the internet. They seek to rediscover these digital voids within the structured systems of firewalls, IP networks, and algorithms.

The virtual exhibition will remain available to everyone through a specially designed kiosk located within the HEK lobby. This setup allows the public to view and interact with the artworks from both inside and outside the museum’s walls. Another significant aspect of the event will be the introduction of Tezos-based NFTs available on the objkt.com marketplace, supplemented by a virtual tour featuring Scalera and Cramerotti. In May, the complete curatorial concept along with the participating artists will be announced.

Tezos is known for being a cutting-edge, energy-efficient blockchain. Artists around the world have harnessed Tezos to create and sell digital art, and cultural institutions such as Serpentine, Musée d’Orsay, and LAS Art Foundation have leveraged Tezos for their artistic projects.

Since its founding in 2011, Basel’s HEK (House of Electronic Arts) has been at the forefront of discussions regarding the economic, sociopolitical, and artistic effects of media technologies. HEK promotes artistic practices linked to information technology, serving as a platform for contemporary art that examines and employs new technologies. This approach not only enhances our understanding of the world's evolution but also empowers us to engage actively in these developments, addressing critical issues within 21st-century culture and contributing to their discourse.