TRANSLATION | Eugenia Yang
「這只是個過程，我們都活在一個過程」，對於 NFT 的未來發展，朝代畫廊總監劉旭圃（Paul）如此說著。2021年，於 ART TAIPEI 締造創始以來首件以 NFT 形式交易實體作品的銷售紀錄，不僅為台灣藝術市場創造歷史性的一刻，也讓更多人見證「由虛轉實」的世界不再只是異想，而是人類生活方式的嶄新變革。
“This is just a process. We are all living in a process,” says Paul Liu, director of Dynasty Gallery, about the future development of NFT (non-fungible token). 2021 was the first year ART TAIPEI set the record for the sale of physical works in the form of NFT. Not only did it create a historic moment for the Taiwanese art market, but it also showed the world that the bridging of virtual and reality is no longer just a fantasy. It is a brand new change in the way of life for us human beings.
實現收藏門檻
具十餘年展覽策劃執行及國際藝博會經驗，早在一年多前 Paul 便開始積極鑽研 NFT 與藝術市場之關聯性，「最大的差異在於改變了人們收藏作品的模式」，跳脫傳統實體藝術須具備大量資訊、財力以及鑑定與估價難以透明的高門檻，當 NFT 數位藝術與社群媒體交融得天衣無縫，轟垮了矗立高牆，使得藝術趨年輕化，也愈加平易近人。對此 Paul 表示 NFT 的確改變了收藏藝術的「實現門檻」，也化作一種更周全的方式珍藏所好，不論使用何種模式收藏藝術，皆是「精神」的價值體現。
實體 vs 數位
若探討藝術創作的真正價值，不免俗地讓人憶起抽象主義之父康丁斯基（Wassily Kandinsky）所言：「繪畫有兩種：一種為物質的，一為精神的。」當藝術給予觀者不同的賞析角度，以具象視覺刺激感官、抽象寄寓激盪心靈，共鳴之間所運用的實體媒材與數位載體，便跨越了價值高低之分。Paul 則分享了自身喜愛的韓國多媒體藝術家白南準，作品多以 CRT 電視機建構而成，結合前衛浪潮與藝術行為之呈現，無不佐證了新興媒材下所帶來的思想衝擊。有趣的是，人們仍能透過相異載體進而領會藝術家發自內心的百感交集。
NFT 泡沫現象
2021年9月，全球首家 NFT 實體畫廊「創世藝術畫廊（Start Art Gallery）」於香港尖沙咀開幕，也正式象徵了 NFT 與現代畫廊不可忽視的相融性。自 Paul 執掌朝代畫廊後，便積極開發並培養優秀亞洲青年當代藝術家，提及未來是否考慮與 NFT 相連結，他表示需等待好的切點與時機，透過與藝術家面對面接觸，方能深入探究彼此理念之契合，也笑著說自己的作法比較老派。對於「燒毀」實體畫作，再鑄造成 NFT 作品的行為，Paul 表示保持尊重，同時也感到相當惋惜，他認為需以更嚴謹的方式論述其觀點，反觀中國行為藝術家張洹以新模式開發 NFT 項目，是他認為較具玩味的敘事手法。數位藝術家 Beeple 曾說過：「NFT 確實是泡沫現象，但網際網路的發展一開始也是這樣的，最終，好的東西會留下。」對此 Paul 坦言不曉得泡沫化的 NFT 是否會被更好的技術或機制所替代，但他個人相當看好，未來的科技終將成為日常，相信 NFT 也是。
Lowering the Threshold
With over a decade of experience in planning exhibitions and international art fairs, Paul began to explore the relationship between NFTs and the art market about a year ago. “The biggest difference is that it changes the way people collect artworks.” Breaking away from traditional, physical art’s high threshold for information and financial resources and overcoming the difficulty to conduct transparent identification and valuation, the combination of NFT and social media have made art younger and more accessible. To him, NFT has indeed made collecting art easier and better-rounded. Regardless of what you want or what method you choose, it becomes an embodiment of spiritual values.
Physical vs. Digital
A pioneer of abstraction in Western art, Wassily Kandinsky once said that there are two types of art, one being a purely physical impression, another, a psychic effect. When the viewer is given different perspectives of appreciation, the figurative visuals stimulate the senses, while the abstract allegories inspire the mind. The resonance between the physical and digital mediums blurs the line between different values. One of Paul’s favorite artists, Korean American artist Nam June Paik presented his work through CRT TVs, a perfect example of using avant-garde methods to express art and a testament of the impact brought by innovative media. Interestingly, even through such a forefront medium, people are still able to understand the inner feelings expressed through the artist’s expressions.
Is NFT in a Bubble?
In September 2021, the world’s first NFT gallery, Start Art Gallery, opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, symbolizing the inseparable connection between NFT and modern art galleries. Ever since taking charge of Dynasty Gallery, Paul has been actively finding and nurturing young Asian contemporary artists. When asked if he would consider bringing in NFT in the future, he says he wants to wait for the right timing and opportunity. Teasingly says his approaches are probably more old-fashioned, Paul believes only through meeting artists face-to-face can he further explore the compatibility of their ideas. As for the “demolishing” of physical art by transforming them into NFTs, he holds his respect but also feels a sense of loss towards this transition. While Paul thinks his viewpoint should be discussed in a more serious way, on the contrary, Chinese performance artist Zhang Huan has been developing NFT projects through a more playful approach. Digital artist Beeple once said, “I think there is a very good chance [NFT is] in a bubble. But when the [internet] bubble burst, it didn’t wipe out the internet. It wiped out the [bad things].” In response to that, Paul admits he’s not sure if the NFT bubble will be replaced by better technology or mechanisms, but personally, he is optimistic towards the future of technology, and the growth of NFT too.
