Crypto Art: Exploitation

Sarah Montani gives an insight into her work as a painter and sculptor - and how she connects her art with the digital world - in this speech given on June 8, 2023, in the auditorium of the University of Zurich. She recounts that she had exhibited a digital sculpture at the Kunsthaus Zürich as part of an April Fool's joke. The photos of the installation were taken by several online and print media. As a result, a number of interested people came forward and traveled to Zurich specifically to view the sculpture. Unfortunately, it could not be found then - it exists only in augmented reality. In response to these customer inquiries, she decided to fix the sculpture in the Kunsthaus using geolocation. The sculpture is now on display at the Kunsthaus Zurich and can be viewed by everyone. She continued this art action and her exhibition can currently be seen in more than 30 museums worldwide. In her speech she criticizes the 10 male busts in the auditorium of the University of Zurich and asks the question if there are no women who have a record of achievement at the University of Zurich. She thinks that art in augmented reality will change our perception.

Credit: Nicolas Brodard

"Technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and the Metaverse present new challenges to museums and the art market but offer great potential to experience art in a new medium. The physical space can be infinitely expanded through immersive worlds, architectures, and sculptures."- Georg Bak is an art expert for digital art and NFTs and advises art collectors, art funds, museums, conferences, and art fairs.

Prof. Dr. iur. Rolf H. Weber, Attorney-at-Law Credit: Nicolas Brodard

"Crypto Art poses various challenges to the law given the fact that the art is not physical in nature. However, the transfer of non-fungible tokens based on smart contracts is possible in the form of so-called registry value rights, as is segregation in bankruptcy. In terms of copyright, the blockchain forms a good infrastructure to set up exploitation systems that correspond to the artist's wishes; thus, rights of use and financial participation can be programmed. Art based on augmented reality must be designed in such a way that copyrights of third parties are not affected, e.g., not even rights of architects whose buildings are protected as creative creations.In the case of the metaverse, the problem of determining the applicable (national) legal system regularly arises first; other important questions concern the protection of intellectual property rights, the avoidance of joint responsibility (liability) and competition violations, and protection against metaverse crime." Rolf H. Weber │ Prof. Dr. iur. | Attorney-at-Law

„During the Art Weekend Zurich, I had the pleasure of witnessing Sarah's AR works, and it was a transformative experience. Her ability to blend the digital and physical worlds through augmented reality is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Through her creations, she provokes thought, challenge perceptions, and inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity. I wholeheartedly recommend Sarah's work to anyone seeking a truly unique and enchanting artistic experience.“ Dr. Annette Doms, Digital Art Expert  

www.annettedoms.net


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Dr.phil. Annette Doms Credit: Fritz Beck

"I find the idea of squatting public spaces with AR extremely fascinating. As we know, these days the only thing that remains is an Insta post, etc., and this blurs the boundaries between the physical and the digitally displayed more and more. I must say, I'm not a Metaverse evangelist and find the whole discussion a bit utopian. Our current digital spaces are often not very inviting for women and minorities, and I'm not convinced that all these problems will simply persist immersively in the Metaverse. But that's just my opinion, and I'm happy when new technologies are productively used for artistic creation." Dr. Jeni Fulton, Head of Editorial at Art Basel

"Sarah Montani enchants the museums of the world with her Metaspheres Art - truly an extension of the real."

After his studies at the University of Zurich, Christian Schwarzenegger received his doctorate in law in 1992 and was admitted to the bar of the Canton of Schaffhausen one year later. From 1994 to 1999, he was an assistant professor at two universities in Japan. Since 1999, he has held a chair in criminal law, criminal procedure and criminology at the UZH. From 2010 to 2014, he was Vice Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Law. Since 2014, he has been Prorector of the University of Zurich.

Prof. Schwarzenegger's research focuses on family violence, cybercrime, and end-of-life decisions. He regularly conducts empirical research in police studies and crime prevention. He has also published commentaries, books and articles on criminal law and criminal procedure. For Swiss Television (SRF), he has acted as an expert in over 50 crime films, most recently in "Death on the Matterhorn" (SRF/BBC 2015). Between 2014 and 2020, Christian Schwarzenegger was Head of International Affairs.

He launched the University of Zurich's first internationalization strategy (2014 - 2020), which has already led to a significant improvement in the university's international orientation and its visibility in the world.The measures initiated with the new strategy have led to several new international services as well as strategic partnerships and networking activities, including joining Universitas 21.

In his private life, he is interested in art, especially Japanese painting and printmaking (illustrated books and woodblock prints), and tennis.

Prof. Dr. Christian Schwarzenegger, Prorector of the University of Zurich

Media

Sarah Montani Presents Insightful Speech on Her Artistic Journey and the Fusion of Art with the Digital World

Zurich, June 8, 2023 - Renowned painter and sculptor Sarah Montani captivated the audience at the University of Zurich's auditorium as she shared her profound experiences and creative vision during her recent speech. Montani delved into her unique artistic process and shed light on her innovative approach of merging traditional art forms with the digital realm. The event offered a rare glimpse into the mind of a visionary artist who constantly pushes the boundaries of creativity.
One of the highlights of Montani's address was her intriguing anecdote about an April Fool's joke she orchestrated at the Kunsthaus Zürich. She unveiled a captivating digital sculpture that existed solely in augmented reality, leaving spectators in awe of its intangible beauty. The installation generated significant buzz, with numerous online and print media outlets capturing photographs of the artwork. This unexpected surge of attention led to an influx of inquiries from art enthusiasts who traveled to Zurich expressly to witness the sculpture in person. Unfortunately, they soon discovered that the piece could not be physically found as it solely existed within the realm of augmented reality.
Motivated by the interest and to meet the demands of her intrigued audience, Montani devised an ingenious solution. She decided to anchor the elusive sculpture at the Kunsthaus Zürich, utilizing geolocation technology to ensure its accessibility to all. The sculpture now proudly stands as a testament to Montani's ingenuity and captivates visitors with its fusion of digital and physical elements. This transformative art action inspired Montani to extend her exploration of augmented reality art further, resulting in an exhibition currently on display in over 30 prestigious museums worldwide.
In her thought-provoking speech, Montani turned her attention towards the existing statues within the University of Zurich's auditorium. She criticized the presence of ten male busts and pondered the apparent lack of recognition for women who have made significant contributions to the University's legacy. Montani's impassioned query highlighted the need for inclusivity and representation within academic institutions, urging society to reassess the narrative of achievement and the underrepresented role of women.
Drawing on her experiences, Montani emphasized the transformative power of art in augmented reality and its potential to reshape our perceptions. By bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds, she believes that augmented reality art challenges conventional notions and opens new dimensions of expression, ultimately expanding our understanding and appreciation of art itself.
Sarah Montani's captivating speech resonated deeply with the audience, leaving them inspired and introspective. Her trailblazing journey as a painter and sculptor, and her bold exploration of the digital frontier, continue to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide.