Gordon Berger is a pioneer at the intersection of art and blockchain, which means that the digital landscape has been forming since 2011.
Born in Vancouver and trained at the Belgrade School of Design Before he moves to Central Saint Martins, he investigates how social media, blockchain and digital networks reform artistic expression. While he is still at the Art Academy, he founded a blockchain -my construction company, so that it was potentially recognized to transform digital ownership.
He played a key role in promoting digital art on the chain, from delivering an early TEDx talk about NFTS and presenting an AI project to NASA in 2018 to pioneering early generative art on Ethereum and registration From artworks on Bitcoin.
His recent project, ‘Timestamps’, launched under Runeaart and powered by Ordinalsbot, introduces a new format that combines 1-of-1’s with decentralized property. His first work of art, “Rune Ticker: Timestamps • Gordonberger • I” turned out in just two hours, making it the first artwork in this new format that was sold out on Bitcoin. “Timestamps” brings together six much-acclaimed artists, each of whom presents a series of ten unique 1-of-1 works, redefine digital ownership and at the same time balance accessibility and artistic integrity.
Every week NFT Now’s Next Up shows a new artist from our composite list of Ascendant talents that have made important waves in the web3. This week our spotlight changes to Gordon Berger.
NFT Now: How did you get interested/involved in digital art for the first time?
Gordon Berger: As a child my first experience with a computer via Windows Paint, and I was immediately fascinated by the possibilities of digital expression. Over time I started investigating how digital media could offer something unique, something traditional such as paint or canvas could not. From the beginning I have focused on bridging the physical and digital worlds in my art, a theme that remains central to my work today.
How would you describe your art?
My career documents the journey of art that evolves with algorithms, by combining new media with the oldest. Some concepts that I feel most attracted to are network effects materiality and the concept of time.
In addition to investigating the use of blockchain as a medium and the role of human creativity in the AI era. With a classic art background, I combine tradition with the impact of today’s cultural and technological shifts.
‘Timeline | Bitcoin -Piramides’
Monuments for a new digital age
ⴵ ⫘⫘⫘
⃤ ⫘⫘⫘ ₿
3D pyramids on the chain
Live built on Bitcoin one block at the same time …pic.twitter.com/u7mitdr5zt
– ⫘ ⫘ ⫘ ⫘ (@Gordonbergerart) January 21, 2025
What does your process look like? And where do you usually find inspiration?
Inspiration is deeply intuitive. It is about listening to that inner voice and following the threads where it leads me to, even when they take challenging turns. Sometimes my explorations lead to a dead end, but more often they make discoveries that deepen my artworks. The point is to start with an intention and to have curiosity guided.
“It’s about starting an intention and having curiosity guided.”
Gordon Berger
What was your breakthrough moment in web3?
Although I have helped the crypto art and the NFT ecosystem since the beginning, so that in 2018 I have given the first TEDx lecture ever over NFTS ever about NFTS, I still feel that my breakthrough moment is still for me.
My current Runeart project and his debut collection ‘Timestamps’ brings 6 artists, Andrea Chiampo, Auriea Harvey, Burst, Dr. ir. Ivona Tau, Toomuchlag and myself to Bitcoin via a groundbreaking format of merging ordinals + runes (fungible tokens) 1 -or -1 artworks. A project that feels like the highlight of years of effort and innovation. I believe it has the potential to generate a new wave of involvement and adoption, just as they did early experiments.
I am proud that part of the collection was taken over by the FC Francisco Carolinum Museum in Linz Austria, before the public launch – a huge honor and testimony of the depth of the artworks. Francisco Carolinum collects these time stamps, makes them the
The first prestigious contemporary art and photography house that has a Bitcoin Runes collection. A huge distinction for all artists.
Ordinals + Runes = Runeaart
▣ + ◉
Distinguish from editions and 1-of-1’s This is a new, 3rd format
Made by artists to decentralize their 1-of-1 artworks
Why?
➢ To generate art experiences with network
➢ Place visual arts in the hands of many
➢ Define art again on … pic.twitter.com/cmodwminzt
– Runeart (@Runeart_io) November 21, 2024
What are the biggest challenges for emerging artists in web3?
The first challenge is to make the time to inform yourself about the deeper possibilities of blockchain technology. Artists must deeply understand the tools and mediums of Web3 to create work that is not only aesthetic, but is conceptually tailored to the potential of technology. This takes time, experiments and persistence.
The second challenge is to build an audience and network of supporters. Web3 makes digital art more to discover and more accessible, but above the sound requires consistent effort. Visibility, branding and communication are crucial and often overlooked components of success. Many artists, including myself, have had to learn in the hard way that is not enough to easily create; You also have to share your story in ways that resonate with the right audience.
Thirdly, look for technical partners who respect and push both the limits of your creative vision. There are so many faceless platforms that are often supplied with strings, such as exclusivity, hidden costs and technical limitations.
Fortunately, I tuned early to one of the most influential teams that build on Bitcoin Ordinalsbot. I am grateful that they have spoken to us, not only co-creating a new RunEart-Meta, a third way to register, but also helped us to make a platform to display artworks that functions on the following Use level on Bitcoin such as: recursion, rare SATs, origin and code libraries on the chains. These elements make every piece dynamic and deeply rooted in Bitcoin’s ethos, important for the integrity of art, and by first feedback, appreciated by early ordinals and runes -collectors.
“Your art can be great, but without a clear story, it threatens to be overshadowed in such a fast -moving space. Share your process, your vision and your story consistently and accessible. “
Gordon Berger
What advice do you have for rising artists in this space?
First, widely make work that is deeply authentic and meaningful. Hurry not; Have your ideas adjusted adult and conceptually to the possibilities of these new media and distribution systems.
Secondly, focus on context and communication. Your art may be great, but without a clear story it threatens to be overshadowed in such a fast -moving space. Share your process, your vision and your story consistently and accessible.
Third, make contact with the right people. Building real relationships with collectors, curators and fellow artists can strengthen the reach of your work. Remember that creating impactful art is only part of the journey, how you position and communicate that art determines how it will be received. We live in an era of Hyper Network, so consider how this can strengthen the impact of your creations. And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Bitcoin has the potential to welcome a new era of art participation on Bitcoin. Remember when you start, be overwhelmed or hit a stumbling block, you are still very early. The most important thing is that you are here, learn and enjoy experimenting. If you ever need a sounding board, my channels are open on X and Instagram.
The following post: Gordon Berger breaks boundaries with “Timelets” Bitcoin release now first appeared on NFT.
