CA · International contemporary art platformArt Basel and UBS have released the second episode of their series 'Decoding Art in the Digital Era,' focusing on the complexities of collecting digital art. Titled 'Collecting the New,' this episode moves beyond the initial boom and bust of NFTs to examine how the field is maturing.
The episode highlights that authentication of digital art can involve traditional methods such as certificates and editions, as well as newer systems like blockchain-based provenance. This reflects the hybrid nature of digital art collection today, where both established and innovative approaches are used.
Preservation is another key topic addressed. Unlike physical art, digital works often require ongoing maintenance and planning that extends well beyond the point of purchase. Some digital artworks are designed to evolve over time, requiring a different approach to stewardship that accommodates their dynamic nature.
The episode brings together collectors, dealers, and art-world voices to consider what it means not simply to acquire digital art, but to care for it over time. This includes discussions on conservation, migration, and long-term maintenance, showing that acquiring digital art can be the beginning of an ongoing relationship with a work.
Featured participants include Basma Al Sulaiman, Michael Spalter, Kim and Lito Camacho, Steven Sacks, Tony Lyu, Audrey Ou, Eli Scheinman, Noah Horowitz, Matthew Newton, and Carola Weise. The episode also considers a new generation of digitally fluent buyers entering the art world at a time when the history and canon of digital art are still being written.
Produced by Art Basel with contributions from senior editors and creative teams, the episode underscores that collecting digital art is not a one-time transaction but an evolving process. It reflects the changing landscape of art collecting in the digital age and the need for new strategies to support this emerging field.
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