TWO TWO Goes Extreme

Breathing New Life to an Antiquated Art Industry

Art, Artists and the Industry

History is littered with gifted artists whose masterpieces remained largely undiscovered and unappreciated until years after these artists died. Their lifelong anonymity can be attributed to several factors including the artist’s own decision to keep their work private. However, in some cases, despite all the artist’s efforts to promote their opus, elite society rejects the offered art if it runs contrary to established trends of the time. Perhaps one of the most notable artists who was considered unssucessful while still alive is Vincent Van Gogh. His unique style gave birth to a new era of art called Expressionism but at the time, he suffered from poverty and obscurity, sometimes having to resort to trading his art for supplies and food [1].

Despite this tumultuous relationship between artists and the art industry across centuries, there have been little improvements thus far. Conventional galleries typically focus on established artists who are already successful and are certain to bring in profits. And gallery curators still hold significant power over art branding and prices while often being out of touch from current cultural settings that factor into the art. Often, this leads to a monotonous gallery experience. According to Clare McAndrew’s research, the art market totaled $67.4 billion in 2018, up from $62 billion in 2008 [2]. At first glance, this seems as though the market is growing, even if not by much. However, this does not account for inflation, in which case the numbers show that the market is in fact shrinking. One can posit that the abovementioned issues play a part in the industry’s stagnation and something needs to be done.

TWO TWO’s Extreme Approach

Given the mercurial nature of Contemporary Art that draws inspiration from a myriad of sources both within and without the artist, as well as the abundance of media and tools available today, art has continued to evolve and branch out in unexpected ways. Such a lush artistic environment has given rise to Extreme Art™, progressive street, urban and graffiti works with illustrated imagery that ranges from urban vandals to Neo-Expressionist masters [3]. Historically, this type of art has been perceived as inferior to traditional methods however, the ideological and cultural relevance of their message can longer be ignored. In fact, there is growing clamor for such art, art that speaks to society’s current political, social, and religious issues, among vast others — art that is an active participant of the times rather than a passive reflection of it.

The groundbreaking advances of the last decade, especially in blockchain technology has provided fertile ground for the straight-laced, traditional art industry to get a makeover and join the technological revolution. TWO TWO is a next-generation NFT gallery that celebrates Extreme Art™ by marrying the real world with the virtual one[4]. Opening in the Last Vagas Strip this fall, TWO TWO will be the world’s first interactive art gallery showcasing the works of both established and emerging artists in multi-dimensional technology in order to provide a creative immersion experience. It aims to reimagine Non-Fungible Tokens through holograms and augmented reality in a gallery setting.

Daring to Go Extreme

TWO TWO provides a next level, global platform for extreme artists, as well as introduces a wider community to brilliant emerging creators. It gives adequate space for Extreme Art™ to step out of the shadows and shine in a way that it has never been able to do in the past. By allowing loud, defiant and irreverent art to take center stage and letting collectors themselves determine the value of such art sets a significant historical and cultural precedent. Truly, the team behind TWO TWO is serious in the pursuit to create a borderless landscape for art — art without boundaries [5]. Such innovation can only bring the dusty world of the art industry into the vibrant one of technology.

[1] https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/art-and-stories/vincent-van-gogh-faq/how-many-paintings-did-vincent-sell-during-his-lifetime
[2] https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-art-market-stagnated-time-industry
[3] https://docsend.com/view/q3ikmy2ijbyedv3c?fbclid=IwAR2gkCMXUDkqjg1XRcDRZ-rpqzFxuFAIjQTO54Y8v5BSR6AG60Mkki88DEI
[4] https://twotwoart.typeform.com/to/RL16QaCz?fbclid=IwAR2pLJfNXDl0LQ9uDqE9NrUqTU6oQkRCWgy4LtEGg9B1sTX_G7oW8TQxTeY
[5] https://www.twotwoart.com/art-is-dead-until-now/#community
[6] https://www.twotwoart.com/art-is-dead-until-now/#community