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Laurent Grasso becomes Lunu Art Link's first commissioned artist
What is the link between a crypto-payment specialist and one of
Europe’s leading conceptual artists? What made them both come together?
In a nutshell: technology - but not just any kind. Blockchain,
the most disruptive innovation since the internet and is set to turn
business life as we know it on its head.
On the 10th of December 2020, we’ll be launching Lunu Art Link,
an annual artist commission focused on fusing contemporary art
with new blockchain technologies. Laurent Grasso,
renowned French conceptual artist, is the first commissioned
artist for this initiative. Grasso was awarded the order of
Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture (2016)
the Marcel Duchamp Prize (2008) and held membership of the
French Academy in Rome - Villa Médicis (2004-2005).
His most notable solo exhibitions in recent years appeared at
Palais Fesch in Ajaccio, in Hong Kong’s Edouard Malingue Gallery,
and at the Foundation d’Entreprise Hermès in Tokyo.
Grasso’s unique artwork was inspired by images of blockchain
connectivity maps and Lunu’s brand vision of global interconnectivity,
facilitated by blockchain’s distributive network of links in which
every component relies on another. The artist rendered two trees as
a technical scan from top to bottom, including the roots.
Each tree has its own independent nexus of branches and leaves
above ground. Underground, the image reveals another network - one
that links both trees - revealing their connection and interdependence.
It also underscores the realisation that technology is part of nature,
fully integrated into our daily lives, while rejecting the
long-established nature/culture divide at a macro level.
“Aesthetically, we wanted to keep a scientific aspect to express the
idea of a “network” in biological terms -- to show that technology
is truly becoming part of our nature not only through extensions
such as phones and computers, but in the processes and protocols
we follow throughout our lives,” says artist Laurent Grasso.
“We are proud to be able to support this initiative. We too believe
fighting climate change is too serious to be treated as a side
occupation,” said Artem Shaginyan, founder and CEO of
Lunu Solutions. “We are delighted to provide Laurent with financial support
for his worthy project.”
“Art is at the heart of Lunu’s DNA and this collaboration is part of
Lunu’s Art Link series, an ongoing project that invites different
artists to express themselves on topics related to global warming,”
said Lunu partner and chief marketing officer Vadim Grigoryan.
“This series of artistic collaborations help us share our belief in
the transformative power of art. Technology, too, is transformative,
but far more successful when we couple it with the emotional side of
art and creativity. This coupling creates a transformation that
resonates in people’s minds and souls.”
Grasso’s work - “Natural Connection” - will be available to the public
as an exclusive and limited edition collection of 1,000 t-shirts with
an RRP of €70, to be purchased only using cryptocurrency through our
innovative payment systems – via the online Lunu widget or through
the Lunu terminal. These t-shirts, 100% cotton and made in
the European Union, are available through the Lunu online shop and
at events in which Lunu participates. You can also save up to 50%
when paying with Lunu Wallet in the network of Lunu partner retailers.
You can save 50% when paying with Lunu Wallet.
10% of all proceeds from the sale will be donated to
the World Wildlife Fund’s Trillion Trees Initiative,
which supports efforts to plant trees and expand tree cover.
Lunu Art Link - Connecting the Sublime
In the press
