NFTs at Auction: SuperRare and Verisart’s 10 x 10 Series Kicks Off This Month
With the introduction of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), digital art has become the latest craze among seasoned and new-age art collectors. As the demand for these artworks increases, SuperRare, the leading NFT art marketplace, has joined hands with Verisart, a blockchain certification platform. Together, the companies will offer a series of NFTs at auction. Titled ‘10 x 10,’ the auction event is set to drop ten solo NFT-backed artworks over ten consecutive weeks.
“The opportunity that NFTs bring to the entire value chain in the art world fundamentally changes the market as we know it,” stated Robert Norton, Verisart CEO and co-founder. “The explosive growth we’ve witnessed with NFTs over the last month has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
Featuring ten artists, this event will see works by Neïl Beloufa, Petra Cortright, Michael Joo, Universal Everything, AES+F, Shepard Fairey, Rob Pruitt, Mark Titchner, Random International, and Jonathan Yeo. Every Monday at 1:00 PM ET, a Verisart-certified NFT will open for bidding on SuperRare. The auction will remain open for 72 hours, closing on Thursday afternoons.
The event kicked off on Monday, March 1st, 2021 with a digital artwork by the French-Algerian artist Neïl Beloufa. He uses film, installation, video, and sculpture to explore contemporary political and social media issues. Beloufa’s NFT, titled B, trying to reach out to its audience, contemplates the digital media. For Beloufa, NFTs are a way to connect the physical and digital realms. Beloufa’s NFT sold for 28.8 of the digital currency Ether (USD 52,659).
Petra Cortright’s PC_Flower_Vase 001 was the second artwork to drop on March 8th, 2021. Cortright’s practice involves creating and manipulating digital files. Her works center on still lifes, landscapes, and portraits. “I think it is very honorable just to pursue beauty,” Cortright says, “I’m concerned with having a practice that is long-term and I would like to make timeless works rather than topical works.” Her NFT for the 10 x 10 sale originates from a 2018 project, Seven on Seven. Cortright’s NFT reached 10 Ether ($17,977) with 18 hours to run at the time of writing.
Several participating artists, including Shepard Fairey, will use Verisart’s Fair Trade Art certificate to offer NFTs at auction. The certificate assures a transparent process of splitting proceeds intended for charitable causes. Shepard Fairey, an American contemporary graphic artist and social activist, is best known for his iconic 2008 Hope poster depicting Barack Obama. The artist will showcase his digital work, titled Obey Ideal Power Mural, during the 10 x 10 event. It raises awareness about today’s political and social issues. Fairey will drop his Verisart-certified NFT on March 29th, 2021.
SuperRare CEO and co-founder John Crain said, “It’s great to collaborate with Verisart and the various artists on the platform… all while bringing a collaborative, creative social network for art and expression in which individuals earn money, build an engaged following, and have proof of ownership and authenticity of digital artworks.”
The ongoing 10 x 10 series offers a Verisart-certified NFT every Monday at 1:00 PM ET through May 3rd, 2021. Each work is available for 72 hours, with bidding closing every Thursday at 1:00 PM ET. Visit SuperRare to place a bid or view the full listings.
Looking for more information about NFTs at auction? Auction Daily recently explored digital art ahead of Christie’s Beeple sale.
