ERC-721 NFT Specification Tops ArtReview's 2021 Power 100 List
In its 20th anniversary edition, ArtReview's Power 100 has placed the ERC-721 nonfungible token specification at the top of its rankings, marking the first time a nonhuman entity has achieved this distinction. This ranking underscores the significant influence of NFTs and cryptocurrency on the art industry. The list was created by a panel of over 30 experts who evaluated based on activity, influence, and global reach. Following in the rankings are anthropologist Anna L. Tsing at second, the Indonesian collective ruangrupa in third, Theaster Gates in fourth, and Anne Imhof in fifth. The list also reflects ongoing debates in the art community about NFTs and climate issues. Other prominent names include Karrabing Film Collective (eighth), Carrie Mae Weems (ninth), and Achille Mbembe (14). The December issue showcases Bani Abidi's artwork along with interviews featuring Ai Weiwei (39) and others.
Key facts
- ERC-721 NFT specification ranked #1 in ArtReview's 2021 Power 100
- List celebrates its 20th anniversary edition
- Over 30 international panelists contributed to the ranking
- Anna L. Tsing ranked #2, ruangrupa #3, Theaster Gates #4, Anne Imhof #5
- NFTs have created new collector demographics and bypassed traditional dealer systems
- List addresses climate change, racial justice, and restitution of looted objects
- December issue features interviews with Ai Weiwei, Byung-Chul Han, and Eyal Weizman
- Cover artwork adapted from Bani Abidi's "The Reassuring Hand Gestures of Big Men, Small Men, All Men"
Entities
Artists
- Beeple
- Anna L. Tsing
- Theaster Gates
- Anne Imhof
- Olafur Eliasson
- Yásnaya Elena Aguilar Gil
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Kara Walker
- Zanele Muholi
- Ibrahim Mahama
- Amoako Boafo
- Kader Attia
- Bani Abidi
- Ai Weiwei
- Byung-Chul Han
- Eyal Weizman
Institutions
- ArtReview
- ruangrupa
- Documenta
- Karrabing Film Collective
- Black Lives Matter
- African Artists' Foundation
- LagosPhoto Festival
- Forensic Architecture
Locations
- Kassel
- Germany
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Ghana
- France
- Algeria
- Berlin
- Pakistan
- Africa