Artnomads Curators, the Faces Behind the Art Future

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by Sophie She

Artnomads Curators, the Faces Behind the Art Future

30 Mar 2024

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary art, few individuals possess the multifaceted expertise and visionary insight of Eugene Sheidlin, who has carved a distinct niche for himself as a leading figure in the realm of art curation of the modern age.

Boasting a Master's degree in Art Curatorial Management from the Marangoni Institute of Art in Florence, Italy, Sheidlin embodies the fusion of academic rigour and practical acumen. His journey into the art world has been marked by an unwavering commitment to elevating artistic endeavours through blending together tradition and innovation.

Founder of Artnomad Curators (Arcnomads) project, Eugene is challenging the notion of normality in the art world.

Arcnomads claim their mission to be simple yet profound — they strive to unearth global creative gems and champion their presence in the ever-evolving art world. They believe in the inherent value of art and the need to protect, support, and nurture its diverse expressions. With a dedicated team of nomadic curators, they foster symbiotic connections between artists, venues, and collectors, facilitating communication and exchange across borders and boundaries.

Instagram: @artcnomads

Their areas of expertise encompass a wide spectrum of artistic endeavours. From curating NFT collections to experimenting with innovative ways to showcase digital art in traditional gallery spaces, they push the boundaries of artistic presentation and engagement. With a striking focus on digital art, they collaborate closely with artists and technologists to bring cutting-edge projects to life, seamlessly blending contemporary art with technological accompaniment. More than that, Artcnomads are equally committed to creating stunning installations, sculptures and conceptualising group exhibitions that challenge and inspire. And indeed, they can.

Their works include many norm-breaching projects, like exhibiting Ellen Sheidlin’s "Annihilation", which is a digital art collection, in the magnificent and traditional Louvre (link to a telegram post, so check you have the app installed to see what is up).

Another fantastic showcase would be their curatorship of TON Diamonds Marketplace and Auction House at the Focus Art Fair in New York, where they have uncovered various internationally acclaimed digital artists.

Instagram: @artcnomads

— About Artnomad Curators — please describe the project in your own words. What is unique? What do you want to give to the world?

— As the creator of the Art Nomads project, I strive to bring together curators who not only have deep knowledge of classical and modern art but also actively explore new technologies. My mission is to make sure that together, we are not afraid to interact with neural networks, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and NFT. These elements are an integral part of modern art, and we treat digital art with the same openness as classical art.

We are nomads, not only in the physical sense. We were born in the Internet age, and our presence is spreading all over the world. Our uniqueness and strength lie in the courage to take on challenges and innovate, making art accessible and understandable to everyone.

Art Nomads is more than a project; it is a movement striving to break down the boundaries between classical and digital art, emphasising their unity and interconnectedness in the modern world.

— Why do you focus on digital art?

— Digital art is often underestimated, especially by the classical art world and institutions, receiving modest and often undeservedly small recognition. However, in our opinion, it is digital art that should be given special attention since working with digital mediums is a logical continuation of the avant-garde of the 20th century and many artificial innovations that first appeared back then. We are going through an era following the Internet, modern, metamodern, and now we are in a post–Internet and even post–AI period. The speed of change in the world is amazing, and art, often ahead of other spheres, determines the direction of technology, philosophy and the general context.

Artists are seers who are able to foresee the future. Their gift is the metaphors they share with us, and these metaphors are created with the help of digital mediums. The importance of these mediums is undeniable both for personal development and for learning new skills. In the new world, only the brave will find their place, especially in creative fields. We are convinced that technology is not an enemy for artists but rather their assistant and friend. We are enthusiastic about this collaboration and fully support the idea that physical spaces should adapt to digital art. Galleries, exhibition halls, and art fairs must learn to embrace digital art, using digital panels, screens, and other visualisation tools to showcase it in order to create unique and interactive expositions.

We believe in the possibility of digital art existing in different realities and in its ability to emphasise itself in the same way that physical art uses digital technology to expand its boundaries. This interaction between digital and physical art opens up new perspectives for the development of the art industry.

Photo: Anna Stavenschi

— What do you think about the conflict of value between physical and digital arts?

— Digital art should not be considered as something less valuable than analogue. On the contrary, it represents an equivalent part of cultural heritage, being on par with traditional art forms. Many critics of digital art question the value of something that cannot be physically touched or displayed on a wall. However, contrary to popular misconceptions, digital art carries a deep meaning and value due to its uniqueness and the way it interacts with the owner through digital technologies such as blockchain and NFT.

These technologies allow us to create a new economic model in which digital art can be valued, bought and sold, ensuring that the authors recognise their work and the owners — the uniqueness of the acquisition. Blockchain adds transparency and security to this process, allowing the NFT owner to be confident in the authenticity and exclusivity of ownership of a work of art.

In addition, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology offer a revolutionary approach to storing, moving and authenticating art, freeing it from physical limitations and offering new opportunities for collecting and investing. This opens art to a global audience, making it accessible to anyone who appreciates culture and wants to be part of the art community, regardless of geographical location.

Thus, digital art, strengthened by blockchain and NFT technologies, not only expands the boundaries of how we perceive and value art but also paves the way for a new, freer and more inclusive cultural economy.

— Can you tell me what TON is and how digital art based on the Telegram blockchain works?

— The Open Network (TON) is a blockchain platform closely linked to the Telegram messenger, providing simplicity and accessibility of cryptocurrency technologies to a wide audience. Its key advantage is its integration with Telegram, which allows users to easily make economic transactions right inside the chat without intermediaries and banks. This versatility makes TON one of the most promising cryptocurrencies today due to the high quality of the products developed by its team and the powerful community of believers in its potential. Ton strives to become a leader among blockchains in terms of reliability and quality, offering opportunities to own and exchange NFT directly in the Telegram user profile. This turns Telegram into a universal platform for everything from communication to collecting digital art, creating a vibrant and rich ecosystem.

— What criteria and standards do you have when choosing art for exhibitions? What aspects of the works attract your attention?

— When choosing artists for our platform, we rely not only on their professional skills, but also on personal qualities such as charisma, style and sincerity in creating art. It is important for us that each artist is unique in his own way and has the ability to inspire, like a multi-armed shiva with many talents. The basis of our interaction with artists is mutual trust and friendship, which makes our work truly meaningful. We strive for long-term relationships, not fleeting benefits, and we see curation not just as a profession but as a mission to support and promote art.

We value artists who boldly express themselves through social media and have the potential to grow in an ever-changing world. Our approach is not just curation, it is the path of nomadism, where, having moved from one country to another, we learn to overcome cultural and language barriers, successfully organising events in new conditions.

Instagram: @artcnomads

— What do you think is the main challenge in the art world right now? How do Artcnomads battles it?

— The main challenge facing Art Curatorial Nomads is overcoming the art community's well-established scepticism regarding digital technologies and innovative platforms. In recent years, as NFT and cryptocurrencies flourish, concepts such as Web3, Metaverse, and digital art have acquired an unreasonably negative connotation, becoming the subject of controversy in the traditional art world. The mission of our company is to revive interest in this field, demonstrating that modern technologies and artificial intelligence represent a new language of communication with the audience, opening up unprecedented horizons for creativity. We strive to show that technological progress not only brings depth and user-friendliness but is also a catalyst for creativity and innovation in art.

As passionate supporters of the future, we see it as an inexhaustible source of inspiration and opportunities for artists. Our goal is to introduce the world to the new Da Vinci, Botticelli, Picasso, and even Marina Abramovich of our time — artists who boldly explore the intersection of traditional art and the latest technologies, proving that true talent knows no boundaries.

— How do you perceive the transformation of the Art Curator’s role in the modern century? How does the digital landscape change the importance of this profession and can anyone be the curator nowadays?

— In the modern economy, where money and financial stability create new strata of society and deepen the need for quality services and cultural leisure, we are faced with the emergence of new millionaires and billionaires without deep knowledge in the field of contemporary art. This phenomenon causes a shift in traditional views and tastes, bringing a new, more independent understanding to the art world. This change jeopardises the established positions of curators and gallery owners, calling into question their influence on the contemporary art market.

At the same time, scepticism about new technologies such as NFT and cryptocurrencies reveals a misunderstanding between traditional art and new digital trends, despite their potential to have a significant impact on the world.

In this context, Arc Curatorial Nomads aims to become a bridge between classical art and new technologies, attracting educated and open-minded people, while emphasising that not everyone can become a curator or artist without appropriate education and understanding of the context. This highlights the importance of language and communication in the art world, inviting a broader perspective on various cultural and technological aspects in order to ensure the harmonious coexistence of traditional and modern art.

by Sophie She