Decentral Art Pavilion at Venice Biennale fails to convince on NFT art quality

The Decentral Art Pavilion, curated by Florencia S.M. Brück, Javier Kasuk, Simone Furian, and Diego Lijtmaer, opened at Palazzo Giustinian Lolin in Venice during the 2022 Biennale. The exhibition, titled Singularity, aims to validate crypto art but is criticized for confusing NFTs with artworks. The review argues that NFT is merely a certificate of authenticity for digital works, not the artwork itself. The show features nearly 100 artists, including Federico Clapis and Giuseppe Veneziano, displayed on vertical screens, resulting in a cold, superficial experience. Rotating satellite exhibitions include Photography & NFTs (curated by Arianna Grava, with Stefano Babic, Cristina De Middel, Bruce Gilden), Fashion and Luxury NFTs (in collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana), and Women & NFTs (featuring 27 female artists). The exhibition runs until June 20 and includes an immersive room showing Beeple's Everydays. The review questions the artistic value, noting that most works rely on technical wow effect rather than conceptual depth, and that the high costs of technology and electricity overshadow the art itself.