Great read, Max! I entirely agree with you. I grew up in a tiny, working-class village in western Canada, so after graduating in 2008 from Edinburgh University and College of Art, feeling that I had to attend all the exhibition openings at the Royal Scottish Academy, the Scottish Gallery, the Modern Art Gallery, and every other art opening possible to 'be seen,' felt really uncomfortable and contrived. I've never had nice clothes, even to this day, lol. I would wear old t-shirts, jeans, and trainers to these opening events, partly because I couldn't afford new clothes at the time but also as a bit of a troll. "This is me! Accept me or not. I don't give a f*ck. I'm here to stay." The evenings were mostly boring, but the cheap wine did make things more bearable. 😊
As my art began taking a turn toward new technology, I started to distance myself from the Scottish art institutions. They weren't interested in my work anyway, and I didn't feel comfortable shilling tech artwork that no one understood or cared for. Thank the crypto gods I found bitcoin, ETH, and then NFTs, and eventually, all the degens that began filling up this new and innovative art space. Finally, there were others I could talk to similar interests, plus collectors who, to my complete surprise, not only liked what I was doing but fully embraced and understood my art.
Yes, this Web3 space has its negatives; the crypto bros, the 'stuffy' institutions moving in, fighting for their piece of the pie, the fact that blockchain and decentralization never brought the artist utopia that so many had hoped for, etc. Nevertheless, it's brought so many amazing people together, and between us, we can build our own future through community. Beeple's Studio is indeed a good example. So is my Castle Party. It quite literally takes the best of both worlds, the amazing history of art and architecture with the Shock of the New, the innovative art of Web3, the opportunity to raise money for charity to do real world good, and most importantly, the amazing community of misfits and degens all coming together to celebrate art, technology, and especially friendship. Family friendly, the last party was exceptionally diverse m/f and age. Our youngest guest was 2 weeks old and the oldest was 70+. There is no dress code, no stuffy expectations or requirements. The only request is that people have fun and make new friends. I hope to see you at the next Castle Party, Max. I guarantee you will leave 100% fully energised and walking on clouds for weeks after. 🏰🎉
If I were a better writer with a better memory, I would have certainly mentioned your Castle Parties, Trevor, which by all appearances fit exactly the billing I discussed. I suppose part of the problem for me is also that I'm otherwise completely inexperienced with the art world. I literally only know crypto art, and what I know of any larger institutionalization of art is warped through the lens of crypto art. So maybe my expectations are just too high...
A pleasure to hear about your history, too. Always fascinated to learn such things. When you need my address for the Castle Party invite, you know where to find me.
You're an absolutely brilliant writer, Max! I'll even say the best I've read in this space. I always enjoy receiving MOCAs email notifications to another Max Cohen article. Ps you're definitely getting that invite so I hope you can make it to Europe next summer.
Fantastic. I agree particularly with the punk / boisterous / making shit in real time / joking all the way attitude. Artists shouldn't feel like uncomfortable outsiders at goddam ART events!
Great read, Max! I entirely agree with you. I grew up in a tiny, working-class village in western Canada, so after graduating in 2008 from Edinburgh University and College of Art, feeling that I had to attend all the exhibition openings at the Royal Scottish Academy, the Scottish Gallery, the Modern Art Gallery, and every other art opening possible to 'be seen,' felt really uncomfortable and contrived. I've never had nice clothes, even to this day, lol. I would wear old t-shirts, jeans, and trainers to these opening events, partly because I couldn't afford new clothes at the time but also as a bit of a troll. "This is me! Accept me or not. I don't give a f*ck. I'm here to stay." The evenings were mostly boring, but the cheap wine did make things more bearable. 😊
As my art began taking a turn toward new technology, I started to distance myself from the Scottish art institutions. They weren't interested in my work anyway, and I didn't feel comfortable shilling tech artwork that no one understood or cared for. Thank the crypto gods I found bitcoin, ETH, and then NFTs, and eventually, all the degens that began filling up this new and innovative art space. Finally, there were others I could talk to similar interests, plus collectors who, to my complete surprise, not only liked what I was doing but fully embraced and understood my art.
Yes, this Web3 space has its negatives; the crypto bros, the 'stuffy' institutions moving in, fighting for their piece of the pie, the fact that blockchain and decentralization never brought the artist utopia that so many had hoped for, etc. Nevertheless, it's brought so many amazing people together, and between us, we can build our own future through community. Beeple's Studio is indeed a good example. So is my Castle Party. It quite literally takes the best of both worlds, the amazing history of art and architecture with the Shock of the New, the innovative art of Web3, the opportunity to raise money for charity to do real world good, and most importantly, the amazing community of misfits and degens all coming together to celebrate art, technology, and especially friendship. Family friendly, the last party was exceptionally diverse m/f and age. Our youngest guest was 2 weeks old and the oldest was 70+. There is no dress code, no stuffy expectations or requirements. The only request is that people have fun and make new friends. I hope to see you at the next Castle Party, Max. I guarantee you will leave 100% fully energised and walking on clouds for weeks after. 🏰🎉
If I were a better writer with a better memory, I would have certainly mentioned your Castle Parties, Trevor, which by all appearances fit exactly the billing I discussed. I suppose part of the problem for me is also that I'm otherwise completely inexperienced with the art world. I literally only know crypto art, and what I know of any larger institutionalization of art is warped through the lens of crypto art. So maybe my expectations are just too high...
A pleasure to hear about your history, too. Always fascinated to learn such things. When you need my address for the Castle Party invite, you know where to find me.
You're an absolutely brilliant writer, Max! I'll even say the best I've read in this space. I always enjoy receiving MOCAs email notifications to another Max Cohen article. Ps you're definitely getting that invite so I hope you can make it to Europe next summer.
You're far too kind, Mr. Jones. Your gracious words mean more than I could express 🫡
(And believe me, apropos castles and Europe, I will find a way)
Fantastic. I agree particularly with the punk / boisterous / making shit in real time / joking all the way attitude. Artists shouldn't feel like uncomfortable outsiders at goddam ART events!
That's the most important thing; well said
Felt absolutely the same at some other Crypto events 🥰 you spoke so wonderful 😊
Thank you, Hans!
Yeah, I prefer it more Sasha "stylish" @ Gucci than highroofmuseumwhitewalls ...
https://twitter.com/sashastiles/status/1761720443218579892