2.0 ECTS total with S04458!

This course offers students insights into the technical foundations of Web3 and explores its artistic potential. Key concepts such as Blockchain, DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), Metaverse, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), Minten, Smart Contracts and more will be thoroughly analyzed and critically discussed. The exploration of blockchain technologies is accompanied by application-oriented teaching sessions, where students learn both the theoretical and practical foundations to independently implement their own design and artistic projects on the blockchain. At the end, students will have the opportunity to participate in a group exhibition at DFC, the Metaverse branch of the Francisco Carolinum in Linz.

Note: The course places special emphasis on an open and respectful discussion culture. Critical reflection as well as a playful approach to explore the possible potentials and risks of this new technology are explicitly encouraged!

Course focus:

History of Crypto-Art: We will look at artistic projects that deal with the topic of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. In doing so, we will critically review these projects and discuss their relevance to the art world.

Functionality of Blockchain: The basic concepts and functionalities of a blockchain will be explained using clear comparative examples to provide students with a solid understanding.

Comparison of analog/digital ownership: We will examine how ownership works in the analog and digital worlds and the impact this has on artworks and the art market. In doing so, we will also contrast the traditional art market and the NFT market to highlight similarities and differences.

NFTs, Rarity Values, and Artificial Scarcity: an in-depth analysis of how NFTs and rarity values are used in the art world and how artificial scarcity can affect the value of a digital artwork.

Overall, the course aims to provide students with an understanding of the technical and artistic potential of Web3, an overview of common blockchain systems, and the skills to independently implement creative projects on these platforms.

ATTENTION: Joint lecture! Please register in both courses to receive all ECTS.

The following criteria will be used for successful completion of the course:

* Regular and punctual attendance (min. 70% attendance).
* Active participation in the practical exercises

Participation in the exhibition is optional, but explicitly desired.

Julia Staudach is a digital artist, curator and filmmaker. Her work ranges from time-based art, media collages, video art to photo series and her ongoing diary project, which she started in August 2000 and continues since early 2020 under the project name "logbook". She is a founding member of the artist collective Cryptowiener, an avid NFT collector and community surfer on Discord, Twitter and other social media platforms.

Julian Palacz is a media & conceptual artist, his work is dedicated to the visualization and poetic processing of data we leave behind both digitally and physically, collected automatically by various actors. He makes online projects, books, generative art and installations. His work has been shown at Ars Electronica, House of Electronic Arts Basel, ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Museum of Applied Arts Vienna and Palazzo Zenobio Venice, among others.