PoP Austin | AR NFT Art Walk
Featured Artists:
MZPRETTYLADY
maggiequinn
QuantumSpirit
jbrvisuals
ErikaFujyama
saintkyriaki
jbrvisuals
saintkyriaki
ZCreative Media
jbrvisuals
Kelon
QUAZR
QUAZR
CURATORIAL STATEMENT
𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭 partner 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, the team that brought you the world’s first augmented reality NFT with MF DOOM in 2020 and the first traveling AR Exhibition “Ghosting” in 2021, will be launching Proof of Presence (PoP) in Austin, TX on March 11th, 2022, followed by a secret event in Austin on Sunday March 13th, 2022 for select PoP token holders. A PoP is a NFT token or credential which is awarded to fans, audiences, crowds, and day 1’ers who “check-in” at any art installation, augmented reality sculpture, concert, or mural on the Illustrative Space browser application. PoP token receivers will be able to redeem their tokens for access into gated events, exclusive communities, NFT airdrops from their favorite artists, and many more. A PoP can be seen as a location based digital ticket which is stored as a proof on Polygon, an environmentally sustainable L2 blockchain. As a part of the launch, Mint Gold Dust and curatorial partner Searchlight present 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺, an AR NFT Art Walk along Austin’s Lady Bird Lake and surrounding city hotspots. The artists in the drop were invited to create work inspired by tributaries, a river or stream that flows into a larger body of water. The theme serves as a larger metaphor for local responsibility leading to impact on a global scale. The pieces will be visible to the public beginning March 11th. View the collection below.
Call me Lady
“More than a homage, I'd like to give a broader concept of the name "Lady" Bird. A female noble title, a title prefixed to the name of a goddess, like the Mother Nature, she nourishes, provides, cares, welcomes everyone. She is the bridge that connects lives and accommodates differences. Despite controversies LadyBird Lake prevailed and carries good vibes to this piece of paradise.”
UNISON
“This work was inspired by the Mexican free-tailed bats that live in the Austin Texas Congress Bridge environment. Particularly, the way the bats fly as a group. Humans can learn a thing or two from bats, moving together as one. My art piece celebrates and amplifies the cooperative nature that can be seen when the bats fly in unison, a metaphor for human behavior. ”
Boog
“This is my friend Leon Bridges and I decided to throw him into my black and white series. In this series I only use the hues of black and white to create a plethora of different canvases. SXSW is all about music most importantly so why not showcase someone who was born in Fort Worth , Texas. I am extremely excited for people to view this masterpiece. Enjoy! ”
PURE
“A water spirit like a fetus in womb endeavors to protect her soul and purity. The sculpture is also a part of IAMEVE's music video "Raindrops" which is about creation, fractured identity, and transcending physical form. ”
Dedication to Lady Bird Lake
“I dedicate this to Lady Bird Lake. We come and we go. We flow like a stream. The moment will pass So you might as well dare to dream. Whether we realize it or not. Just breathe. Will you see, seek, and feel this moment? Today’s a gracious new day. Where will you walk? How far? Which rivers will you choose to cross? Will you pass by? Will you never wonder or ask why? I love this Lady Bird, I respect this life. I cherish the water as it glistens with the sun, trickling. Together, our souls we are remembered and we are one. Spoken Word Poet and Voice Over Artist, Saint Kyriaki studied where she would learn the art of cut-out collages, & created 3D story collages depicting nature on canvas where she collected wilted roses, bamboo, dried leaves, & other materials created by Mother Nature. 25% of this NFT sale will be sent to Ukrainian Red Cross ”
Barton Creek Natural Beauty
“Barton Creek, hear me speak. I will cry, I will stand, I will fail. They came and they saw Did they even notice me at all? I am a wilted rose, I belong. It’s in my nature, we are thy beautiful people. Warrior that I am - I belong Running through your creek Such beautiful land yet such destruction speaks. We come here to rest, We come here to play We come here to sit & ponder all day. We know what you did and yes we choose to forgive O, how nature takes its course We will be here even when you’re done and gone. Thee only way we know, thee only way we wish to know Is to just unconditionally give give and give some more. Natural beauty, you are the one, natural beauty in the winter sun. I seek for you, I yearn for you sitting by me under the Congress Bridge Sipping yummy lemongrass tea speaking sweet nothings to me once again. I feel so lucky, please please always do dream of me. 3D on canvas, wilted roses, bamboo, dried leaves, and other materials created by Mother Nature”
Preserving Perseverance
“To persevere in the face of fear, uncertainty & doubt is a trait worth preserving. This work is my homage to the Austin artists who've struggle to afford living in the capital city of Texas. If you've discovered this artifact at it's NATIVE gps co-ordinance in Austin, TX, you're in luck! A hidden message is embedded in this NFT for those who scan the QR code and unlock the secrets that reside within. This is my submission for the "Tributary: From Daylight to Nightflight" exhibition, an art walk along Ladybird Lake and Downtown Austin within Mixed Reality. In partnership with Illust Space, SearchLight is hosting this exhibit as part of SXSW 2022. Many artist from all over the world will attend and have their art showcased in XR all around downtown Austin. The primary collector of this NFT is entitled to claim a Freedom Flower NFT from my genesis collection. Freedom Flower NFTs hold utility in the metaverse spaces I'm building including, access to galleries and performances.”
QUAZR - KARURA AR (LAPIS LAZULI)
“Artwork & Music by QUAZR KARURA - a race of enormous, fire-breathing flying demigods. They are anthropomorphic, or humanoid in appearance, with the heads and golden wings of eagles that sound like thunder. The name KARURA comes from the Japanese pronunciation of Garuda. KARURA are the mortal enemies of the NAGA—a group of beings which includes dragons and serpents—and feed upon them as their main diet. LAPIS LAZULI They are guardians who protect against poison and disease. They are even helpful against excessive rains and typhoons. ”
Reservations Required
“Reservations Required 1080 × 1920 The title “Reservations Required” is a morose satire in the treatment of Native Americans. The display encapsulates the American version of world historical treatment to anyone who is not white. The importance of memorializing Western Civilization is an important conversation on racism in America as a continuum. It's our duty; my duty as an Artist to display the facts anytime we encounter it.”
QUAZR - KARURA AR (AMETHYST)
“Artwork & Music by QUAZR KARURA are a race of enormous, fire-breathing flying demigods. They are anthropomorphic, or humanoid in appearance, with the heads and golden wings of eagles that sound like thunder. The name KARURA comes from the Japanese pronunciation of Garuda. Translation: derived from the Hindu deity Garuda Alternate names: konjichō (golden winged bird) Habitat: Tendō, the realm of heaven which exists at the center of the universe. Diet: Serpents & Dragons AMETHYST Brings power, wealth, and royalty were often associated with the color purple. Calming and Protective. ”
Blue Planet
“Blue Planet (1400 × 1864) an observation of New Mexico. The dry plains, poverty stricken and abandoned homesteads blanket the vast desert fields for miles. The desolation is catastrophic. Coupled with territorial crime and lack of societal needs the question for the Native American lifestyle is really: do we have this wrong and you right? Why ask this? The Native American lives entirely by hunting, gathering, nesting. These needs are so minimal, it makes a passerby question American Values. Indigenous people are, is a conversation important for the NFT Community in the continuum of progress and identification. ”
Marine Life Tribute
“Austin, Texas is home to a vibrant cultural arts community and an equally unique and thriving natural ecosystem. This work celebrates both the vibrant creative culture of Austin and also its delicate aquatic ecosystem along the Colorado River.”
Compartmentalization
“An introspective look at American's led by Olegarks who thrive on derision and propagandize the continual devision through media. Sadly, American’s believe or ignore the hype! The need to bring communities of all colours together is the only true end to this fight. No matter what religion you are segregation has no part in life and it is not to be contained but to be shouted from the highest mountain peaked in an all inclusive megaphone. Change is sooooo overdue, White Supremacy needs to be shut down, and the GOP needs to move out.”