GAZELL.iO x The Lumen Prize: The NFT Award

We are pleased to present the winner of the inaugural Lumen Prize NFT Award, Rituals- Venice (2021), by Aaron Penne and Boreta. Rituals combine generative music and generative artwork to create 1000 unique windows into a singular parametric universe. The music and visuals are crafted to evolve infinitely, giving visitors a subtly new experience upon each viewing. If left running, a single ritual will continue generating music and art without repeating for ~9 million years. GAZELL.iO invites you to hold space for yourself and enjoy a moment of mindful stillness. This project was launched in September 2021, with the first 200 works minted in real life at Bright Moments in Venice, CA, USA.

The colours used within the series have been carefully developed through a selection of personal photographs captured by Aaron Penne, Boreta, & Seth Goldstein. Each ritual derives from an element of real-life moments and nostalgia. The fluid and changing geometric forms take inspiration from the Op art (or Optical art) and Psychedelic Art movements of the 60s, which often feature patterns, grids, and effects like curving or diminishing objects. The Op art movement was driven by artists interested in investigating various perceptual effects.

The music within Rituals, created by Audio artist Boreta, invites feelings typically induced by a sound bath. Here, repetitive notes at different frequencies pull the viewer’s focus away from the outside world and into the artwork’s hypnotic visuals.

Alongside the solo exhibition at GAZELL.iO, a programme of talks and panel discussions will be presented. The display of the award winners from the partnership will coincide with the gallery’s exhibition of works by Harold Cohen, a leading pioneer of computer and algorithmic art.

A statement from Carla Rapoport, Lumen’s Founder and Executive Director: “Since founding the prize in 2012, I’ve learned that creativity and technology are natural partners and that artists who engage with technology bring an energy to their practice that simply can’t be found anywhere else. I’m so excited to add artists working in the NFT ecosystem to our community and can’t wait to see the finalists exhibited in GAZELL.iO’s Project Space.”

A statement from Mila Askarova, Gazelli Art House and GAZELL.iO’s Founder: “The Lumen Prize has always been at the forefront of championing great digital art. Over the years, Lumen’s awards and range of activities have reflected the absolute zeitgeist in the field. Now, with the NFT Award, The Lumen Prize continues to move forward and reflect the exciting development in the ever-changing landscape of digital art. We are pleased to be exhibiting the finalists this year at GAZELL.iO, as well as a programme of talks to accompany
the exhibition.”