“Yue Minjun is one of the most important traditional artists to enter Web3 to date, and sets the standard for what can be achieved when traditional artists trust us to guide them on their Web3 journey.”
About
Yue Minjun (Chinese: 岳敏君 born 1962) is one of the most important Chinese contemporary artists working today, with pieces selling for millions of dollars at auction houses worldwide (USD 6.9 million sales record at Christie's HK) and artworks in the permanent collections of the SFMoma, Denver Art Museum, The Culture Centre of Francois Mitterrand, Busan Museum of Art, Guangdong Museum of Art, Shenzhen Art Museum and other leading institutions.
On August 8, 2023 LiveArt, the Web3 Platform for Art and Culture, sells out a groundbreaking NFT collection, Kingdom of the Laughing Man: Boundless, by Yue Minjun, in just under two hours.
Collaborations with artists including KAWS and fashion brands like Comme De Garçons have cemented Minjun's signature style in global pop culture.
Can you tell us about the project you're currently working on? What inspired you to make it, how are you making it, what do you hope it achieves?
I hope that through art and Internet technology, I can realize dreams that are impossible in the real world. It’s the initial foray on a journey which I hope through artificial intelligence and the metaverse will establish a new online sociological ecosystem in the Kingdom of the Laughing Man.
Let's dive deeper into a single work, share a work with us and let us know why you love it
The Boundless series is about opening my eyes, implying my curiosity and desire for the new world (digital world).
NFT Magazine has teamed up with the Crypto Mermaids to help more people understand and celebrate cryptoart. We find there is often a technical or cultural barrier to more people appreciating your work. What do you wish more people understood about NFTs, crypto art, or Web3 that would also help your work be properly celebrated?
I look forward to discussing with more people the new possibilities brought to us by NFT and Web3.
Tell us about what your creative practice looks like. When do you work, where do you feel inspired etc.
I usually work during the daytime, and I need to keep reading and discussing with friends in order to better understand the world and keep up with the changes.
How and when did you get into NFTs?
I did experiments on artificial intelligence works many years ago, so I’ve always been very concerned about the development of such technologies. The specific entry into NFT was about a year ago, and the goal has always been to realize my ideas in the metaverse.
How have your views on NFTs evolved since?
It is just the beginning of this journey, and there is so far not much change in understanding.
What are your views on "the traditional art world" and how do you relate to it, or not?
Traditional art is facing new challenges, and new technologies may change our perception of art.
