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Top Crypto Artists: NFTs, Inspiring Stories of 2021

Published by VAGA Editor

This year can easily be described as a disruptive period in time for art. Digital artists from all over the world have come to the limelight as their work is auctioned for thousands and millions of dollars.

Blockchain technology enabled the authentication of art through NFTs (Non-fungible tokens). Basically, when a piece of art is tokenized in the blockchain, it becomes an NFT. The blockchain authenticates the ownership of the NFT and also contains a smart contract that enables transactions for the NFT in a tamper-proof way. Most marketplaces for NFTs make it simple to tokenize or “mint” a digital creation.

Artists from all backgrounds have risen to fame with the disruption that NFTs have created in the art world. In this article, we cover inspiring stories of some of the top crypto artists in 2021.

1. FEWOCiOUS

Art knows no barriers. 18-year-old Victor Langois sold his NFT artwork for more than 2 million dollars in a recent auction at Christie’s auction house, becoming one of the top NFT artists of 2021.

The story of Victor is special as he endured difficult situations growing up as a transgender teenager in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was able to afford his move to Seattle thanks to NFTs. Victor’s artistic name is FEWOCiOUS. In interviews, he described his challenging years growing up, but he channeled these sad experiences into his digital art that became a sensation and his source of income.

Colorful forms that convey an emotion

This teenage top NFT artist defines himself as a pop surrealist, and his work is full of color and fluid-like shapes.

NFT digital crypto artist FeWOCiOUS — *The Everlasting Beautiful*

His most prominent creations are titled: “The Everlasting Beautiful” and “Moment I Fell in Love”. The first sold for 271 ETH (around $550,000) and the latter sold for 12.3 ETH ($25,000).

Several of his NFT creations represent moments of his life such as when he decided to reveal his true gender identity. Crypto art and therefore, NFTs, enabled Victor to change his life and find confidence from his work.

2. Trevor Jones

Trevor Jones, 51, is one of the most renowned names in the crypto art—NFTs space. Before becoming a successful digital crypto artist, he struggled to earn an income from his art. At 30 years old, he decided to study art and enrolled at the University of Edinburgh.

Soon after he graduated and gained more experience in the art industry, he realized that he needed a niche to differentiate himself from other artists and looked at technology as a great opportunity.

This top NFT artist began playing with art and tech, including QR codes and Augmented Reality (AR) in his creations. Soon enough, he gained some recognition within the tech-savvy art connoisseurs; however, he was catapulted to fame when he released his first NFT pieces.

NFT crypto artist Trevor Jones — *Bitcoin Angel — Trevor Jones*

The best of both worlds

His digital NFTs: EthGirl and Bitcoin Angel are some of the staples of beloved NFT creations. He sold the EthGirl piece for 72 ETH ($10,000) and more than 4,000 editions of Bitcoin Angel for $777 each.

By looking at his work, it’s easy to recognize the influence of more traditional art techniques, and it’s fascinating to see how traditional painting skills and NFTs can integrate resulting in wondrous pieces of modern art.

3. Giant Swan

At 33 years olds, Giant Swan became a top crypto artist. The Australian creator encountered difficulties displaying his digital, sculpture-like artwork before the rise of NFTs.

His real name is Travis Van Zanen and he creates extraordinary Virtual Reality (VR) worlds and 3D images that sell for thousands of dollars. The value of his creations ranges from $1,443 to more than $60,000.

A pioneer in his realm

As he gained recognition for his mesmerizing NFTs, he managed to convince an art gallery in Rome to collaborate with him – setting a precedent for VR art in the NFT world.

He has sold more than 851 NFTs and has been known to offer 100% returns to collectors as he emphasizes the relationship between artists and collectors.

4. Top NFT artists: Jose Delbo

Jose Delbo, 87, is a comic book artist who worked with big firms such as DC Entertainment, being the artist behind the drawings of Wonder Woman in the 70s and 80s.

His story is noteworthy because oftentimes big firms earn massive profits from artists’ creations, utilizing their art in merchandising and for diverse marketing ventures. Releasing his NFT drawings of Wonder Woman, Jose Delbo became a millionaire at 87 years old.

Jose Delbo was introduced to NFTs through his grandson and partnered with Italian artists Hackatao to create Wonder Woman NFTs. He sold 914 NFTs for almost 2 million dollars, becoming a millionaire, top NFT artist.

5. Beeple

Beeple is definitely one of the stars in the list of the top NFT artists in 2021. His real name is Mike Winkelmann and he previously worked as the designer of content visuals for concerts of artists such as Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until the recent surge of NFTs that his hard work in digital art would surpass his craziest expectations.

A masterpiece of 5000 images

On March 11th, 2021, Beeple’s collage of 5000 images titled “Everdays: the First 5000 Days” was auctioned for more than 69 million dollars. His master creation depicts modern life mixed with visuals that can only be brought to existence by the imagination. His work has been described as thought-provoking and it’s considered the third most expensive piece of art by a living artist.

Previously, Beeple had also sold an NFT clip of a defeated Donald Trump for $6.6 million.

As new ways of using the blockchain surge, and this technology gains wider acceptance the NFT industry could prove to continue its lucrative path.

Of course, NFTs and the blockchain are still new technologies that don’t have a set of “laws” or norms that govern them yet. As lawmakers grasp more intrinsically NFTs, there is hope that a fair set of guidelines will emerge.

Paintings can be placed as collaterals for financial transactions such as borrowing funds, similarly, NFTs have the potential to enter the crypto world of financial transactions.

Promising prospects for NFT artists

The tokenization of art has enabled authenticity verification of digital creations; therefore, being the genesis of NFTs marketplaces.

Any aspiring artist who wants to become a top NFT artist has technology on their side. The above-mentioned inspiring stories are a reminder that the art industry is full of opportunities that continue to emerge with the power of technology and creativity.

A Refreshing Era for Art: Digital Crypto Art and NFTs

Published by VAGA Editor

Blockchain technology enabled the expansion, appreciation, and collection of art to break through the three-dimensional barrier, to now, take place in a fully digital way in the form of NFTs. Digital crypto art pieces are making headlines as they auction for staggering amounts. Artists are discovering novel opportunities to gain recognition and royalties by inserting their digital artwork into the blockchain. A clear example took place in March when artist Beeple auctioned his artwork titled “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” for more than $69 million dollars at Christie’s. It was the first digital artwork (NFT) ever offered at the auction house.

The enthusiasm for NFTs is such that international athletes and big enterprises are entering the digital crypto art industry, taking part in the opportunities that the blockchain has generated in the art scene. In this article, we cover the perks of NFTs and how they are empowering artists and marking a refreshing chapter for art.

What exactly are NFTs?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) represent the ownership of a digital asset. In art, these assets can be image files, videos, gifs, songs, etc. Digital crypto art has risen in popularity during 2021, generating a lucrative market. According to Reuters publications, during the first half of 2021, the NFT transactions on OpenSea, a major NFT marketplace, surpassed the value of $2 billion dollars. In the NFT era, talented artists have the possibility of transforming ‘Instagram likes’ into revenue streams.

To make digital crypto art an NFT, artists “mint” or insert their artwork into the blockchain. As part of the blockchain records, NFTs are digital assets that can never be altered and are tamper-proofed; therefore, they are unique.

How it works

Most of NFTs are minted in the Ethereum blockchain. This means that one of the main mediums of exchange for NFTs is Ether (ETH), Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency.

The Ethereum blockchain is one of the most prominent blockchains out there and has recognition for the functionalities of its smart contracts. In NFTs, the smart contract contains a set of codes with key information including a unique identification of the NFT owner, known as “token_id”. For instance, the “token_id” of the current owner of “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” is token_id: 40913. This information is public in the blockchain and therefore anyone can verify it.

We all have heard about how the blockchain has impacted important spheres such as the financial industry. Partly, this is due to the power of smart contracts that are crucial for financial transactions in the blockchain. NFTs crypto art uses the power of the blockchain to store, transfer and verify the authenticity of a digital asset.

What about protecting the environment?

Although many people have rightfully raised concerns about the massive electricity consumption of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technologies are evolving to tackle this issue. The Ethereum blockchain will update its verification protocol to reduce energy consumption by the end of 2021 or early 2022; according to Yahoo Finance, the new protocol will reduce energy use by around 99% percent. The popularity of Digital crypto art could increase with Ethereum’s new protocol that is more environmentally friendly.

Why are NFTs so valuable?

Similar to artworks such as paintings, the value of an NFT can be tied to the author’s popularity, scarcity, or a special history of the piece. As long as there are people willing to buy crypto art, the piece is valuable. So, in this space where digital assets are easy to transfer and display to a global audience, there is a myriad of opportunities for artists.

NFTs crypto art: Benefits to artists

Not only can creators sell their NFTs for profitable sums, but they can also continue to earn royalties if collectors choose to resell their NFTs. All these conditions should be included in the smart contract of the NFT.

NFTs empower artists. One of the reasons why the blockchain is so disrupting is because it’s decentralized. This means that there is no control by a middleman. In the case of art, auction houses and galleries have the ultimate decision to choose which artists they support and promote making it hard to determine how fair this decision can be, but with NFTs and the blockchain, anyone can auction their art and display it in major marketplaces. Furthermore, since blockchain technologies continue to update and evolve, new ways to interact with NFTs may also emerge.

NFTs are definitely energizing the art and design scene, empowering artists and enabling collectors to finally have a tokenized authentication of their digital assets.

Ok, where do I list my NFTs crypto art online?

Popular marketplaces to list NFTs include Opensea, Rarible, and Niftygateway.

The key element you will need to begin selling your NFT crypto art is a wallet. Most marketplaces are compatible with Ethereum based wallets such as Metatask and Enjin. In fact, Metatask is the recommend wallet by Opensea. However, it’s advised to pick a wallet upon personal research. Characteristics to consider when you choose a wallet are whether major marketplaces support that wallet and if it’s compatible with different blockchains.

With your chosen wallet, you will receive a unique address (string of letters and numbers) that will store your NFT and will be the starting point of the transfer of your NFTs.

Before selling your NFT crypto art, you will need to “mint it” in the blockchain. Usually, marketplaces allow you to mint your NFTs crypto through their platforms. Keep in mind, you will need to pay a “gas fee”. Anyone involved in crypto is well aware of gas fees. Gas fees are the compensation that “miners” or people who validate your NFT in the blockchain earn for their work and computational power. This fee doesn’t go to the marketplaces.

In marketplaces such as Opensea and Rarible, prices are listed in Ether, Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, so it can be useful to become familiar with this coin.

Digital crypto art in the blockchain era

As described above, digital crypto art is experiencing an exciting chapter in which artists have gained more recognition and control over their work. NFTs have made the process of collecting and auction art more decentralized — ultimately benefiting artists and digital collectors.

Grannie by Léa Bartet-Friburg

Published by VAGA Editor

This is a story about my grandmother’s perception, the objects that surrounded her with which I grew up, her garden, her house in Normandy, her taste for fashion, and beautiful things that she passed on to me, and Africa… always Africa. My grandfather was from Togo but he died very young, yet she kept very close contacts with this African family year after year, she’s our only link with this black side that we can see on our skin and which seems so far from our native Normandy, France.

All the styling are items found in her closet, the fabrics used for the images have been brought back by her from Ghana and Togo (Wax et Keta). Her expressions are distinguished, proud, and independent.
—by photographer Léa Bartet-Friburg

grandmother garden french photographer Léa Bartet-Friburg

1950s Men’s Hairstyles Still in Trend Today

Published by VAGA Editor

Hairstyles are like the cover of a book. People tend to notice the hair first in the overall appearance of a person. Before the 1950s, men’s hairstyles weren’t even a thing as it was considered a female business. It was about to change forever, leaving an impact that still resonates nowadays.

The slick back or side-part style occupied much of the 1920s and 1930s but it was the decade of the 1950s that brought the revolution to men’s hairstyles. They let their hair longer and did all sorts of different experiments with it. Note that haircare and grooming products weren’t popular terms back then, but the era of the 1950s was about to redefine the entire men’s style industry.

We’ll take a look at 10 of the most popular or considered the best 1950s men’s hairstyles and how most of them are still in trend. Old is gold!

Side Part Hairstyle

The most basic or, let’s say most traditional of men’s hairstyles. It is and will remain in trend all the time. Invented back around the 1930s this haircut instantly became the most popular men’s hairstyle from the 50s decade due to the minimal efforts required to pull it off. Every man once in his lifetime has pulled off this hairstyle. By just applying a serum and with the help of a wide-tooth comb this look is achievable very easily and gives you a fresh appearance instantly. If you’re running out of time or in a lazy mood, go with this hairstyle dude!

Side Part - 1950s Men's Hairstyle s — *Always Classy*

The Slick Back

It should be renamed as sick slick back as it gives you that badass attractive look instantly. You have to let your hair grow with the time and then brush it back to achieve a perfect slick back. If your hair is sort of thick and it doesn’t hold back that well, you should try a new-generation hair gel. It will give you a strong hold without drying your hair. The length of hair may vary, you can have shorter hair for a clean look or a long slick back to spice it up more with an edgier look. Most of the celebrities around the 1950s to this date pull off a slick back hairstyle making it an evergreen hairstyle

The Rockabilly

The rockabilly aesthetic is another 1950s look started by celebrities like Elvis Presley and James Dean. It is also known as greaser’s hair as our hair needs to be greasier with volume to attain this hairstyle. Rockabilly goes into a more Hollywood or a fancy version of the slick back and pompadours variants. We will need more effort and volume in our hair to achieve this look. A good sculpting clay or hair wax would be needed with a proper blow-dry. The rockabilly has evolved over-time and, still today, it comes as one of the sexiest hairstyles for men.

1950s Men's Hairstyles Rockabilly — *Elvis Presley Rockabilly Hairstyle*

Fringe (Textured or Faded)

The best part about men’s hairstyles in the 1950s was that there was something for everyone. Whatever the texture or length of your hair was. It was easy to attain a look and attitude by adjusting your hair.

If you have bangs that cover your forehead and you decide to shave off your sides it gives you a stylish faded fringe aka French cut. The bangs give you a lot of freedom and allow you to play messier. Add texture to the top of your hair and you got a textured fringe. As simple as that. This fringe look is also a really popular millennial eboy hairstyle.

The Pompadour

Arguably considered the king of men’s hairstyle, the pompadour cut was perhaps the greatest invention in the 1950s era of men’s haircuts. Actually, the pompadour was first invented for females, adapted and popularized later by several stars like Elvis Presley, Tony Curtis, David Beckham, etc. The style has been around for a long time and I bet it isn’t going anywhere in the near future. The length required for this haircut should be medium to long, and you have to use proper hair products to achieve some volume. Low fade, skin fade, or long sides. You have lots of options to go with this hairstyle.

Pompadour David Beckham hairstyles — *The Pompadour – David Beckham*

The Scissor Cut

Another haircut that is been around for almost 100 years. Invented back in the 1920s, this hairstyle is just another regular combover with no volume or hair styling involved. This remains the most sought-after haircut from 1950s hairstyles for men as it helps to maintain a clean and fresh look. This is highly recommended for job interviews or board meetings where you want to give out a perfect first impression and look damn neat and presentable. There’s always room for experiments if you want to vary hair length with sides and on the top. Make sure you keep it properly conditioned with a silicone-free daily conditioner.

Short & Curly Waves

Men’s hair in the 1950s was often very sleek and straight but it was also curly. This look goes so well with this chic retro style. This hairstyle is a natural gift of God for guys with curly hair. Through slicing the hair sides up to the ear, create a center piece and use a peak and strong hold hairspray to work the hair up and out to produce the two curling “waves.” Make sure to get a good hair primer for low-effort grooming. It will help you work through your hair much smoothly.

Modern Buzzcut

The buzz cut goes way back to the 1930s, introduced as a uniform military haircut in America in the late 1930s during World War 2. Probably the most masculine cut of all the 1950s Men’s hairstyle era. If you always rock a long or wavy hair and then all of a sudden you go to a buzz cut, you’re going to turn some heads. Another aspect of the buzz cut is that it’s low-maintenance because it doesn’t really need much attention. This is the haircut that saves you most of the time and money. Even though it is short, make sure your scalp is in good condition with a weekly detox and scalp treatment.

The Retro Quiff

A variant of the pompadour, the quiff is a bit wavier in nature as it allows your hair to fall on its natural side. Invented in the 1960s – 1970s, the quiff hairstyle still makes it to the list of 1950s men’s hair trends because it’s a variant of pompadour. The quiff can be rocked on any occasion may it be casual or formal. And if you rock a suit with it, BANG!! I bet you will get some eyes. If you could add some waves using a soft product for texture, you’ll be good to go.

The Ivy League Haircut

The popular men’s haircut of the 1950s era was originally introduced around the late 50s in a pomade ad. The Ivy League haircut is carried by having short and trimmed hair and that makes a curve of hairline on the forehead. The old Ivy League cut was kept short and convertible as of whole but modern changes have given us to experiment more as shorter sides or temper fades, etc. Carried out by actors and celebrities like Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds… This haircut is last on our list of 1950s men’s hairstyle but definitely, it’s not the least.

Our 1950s hairstyles can be rocked even today for any dude. By rocking any one of these you will ensure that your style-game is strong.

Hassle-Free Skincare Routine Tips for Men

Published by VAGA Editor

We get it, not every guy is going to be crazy doing 3 face masks a day, guys like to feel careless and most will only go for hassle-free solutions when it comes to things like skincare.

Clear skin unlocks all your potential. It is the best complement to any outfit, sending out a nice, positive message about yourself.

These are 5 easy steps any guy can start taking right now in order to get a charming and clear skin fast!

Hassle-free Basic Skincare routine for guys, men — *It is never too early to start taking care of your skin.*

1. Washing your face at least twice a day:

One of the biggest mistakes and issue when kickoff our daily skincare routine is that most guys are clueless about what to apply on their skin. Some guys even apply a bar of soap on their face and that’s completely wrong. The skin on your face is different from the skin in other body parts.

What works for your friend may not work for you. Try different stuff, find the perfect match.

You should use a clear and gentle face wash that is suitable for your skin to wash your face twice a day. Once when you’re taking a shower and when you’re going to bed. You can use a 3rd time too after that intense gym or cardio session but stick to twice a day. Take a look at this ultra-facial cleanser that removes all the dirt and impurities but at the same time keeps your skin nourished.

2. Moisturizing your skin after a face wash:

Continuing from our 1st tip, your skin needs to be hydrated. Our facewash contains some harsh ingredients that suck out oil and can keep our skin under-nourished. That’s where moisturizers come into play. After a face wash, you should apply a moisturizer suitable for your skin type.

Not applying moisturizer can lead to dryness and dryness is the root cause for skin problems like acne, blemishes and rashes, etc. Check out the awesome moisturizer named “Tatcha” which is a water-based moisturizer that keeps your skin hydrated while avoiding making your skin too oily at the same time.

3. Apply Sunscreen before going out:

Thi sis the simplest and also most important part of skincare, you cannot even imagine the damage sun does to your skin. Common skin problems like dark spots, skin burns result from not applying sunscreen.

A proper sunscreen that protects your skin from harmful UV-A and UV-B sun rays should be your go-to option. Remember that sunscreen should be applied on the face as well as other body parts that are exposed to the sun. Check out this selection of skincare products as they provide different sunscreen for your face, neck, and body. If you’re not applying a sunscreen, you should start applying it ASAP.

4. Eye-cream to the rescue:

Another area that you need to care for is the area under your eyes. Dark circles or puffy eyes may make you look like you did not have a proper sleep last night and that is not a good look. Don’t hesitate to try a tinted moisturizer, a tone lighter than your skin.

Also applying an overnight serum or eye-cream rejuvenates your look and makes you look fresh all night. We’ll suggest to apply it only once a day better at night time before going to bed so you don’t wake up with puffy eyes. Checkout midnight recovery eye-cream from that soothes your eyes and gives you better sleep as well.

5. Other lifestyle habits:

Remember that skincare products can only help your skin to a certain extent but external factors such as:
– Proper sleep.
– A balanced diet with veggies.
– Working out often.
– A stress-free life.

A balanced lifestyle is also required to ensure your skin looks fine and clear. Products will do their work but you should also give your best so that your skin is clean and well maintained and gives you the attractiveness you deserve.

This easy and hassle-free skincare routine for any dude will help you start taking care of your skin now, so it will thank you in years to come. See more men’s style and grooming notes.

Andy Warhol’s Many Models —New York Photo Exhibit

Published by VAGA Editor

Photography played an important part in the life of Andy Warhol. Young Andy greedily collected images of Hollywood celebrities and their timeless glamour inspired his own work. Warhol started his art career using photographs of famous people such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor to create a series of silkscreens that stormed the world.

Andy Warhol brought his camera with him throughout every journey. During his life, he developed hundreds and thousands of photos. At the time of his death, only a small percentage had been printed. He created a new visual language from a photographic vocabulary, like other influential artists of the 1960s, well before the world of art understood the importance of the medium.

The New York exhibition “Andy Warhol Photography: 1967-1987” at the Jack Shainman Gallery in Chelsea presents a series of gelatin silver prints showing the most ordinary moments in his random daily practices, as well as the artists’ Polaroid portraits, still-life, and nudes. Many of the 193 pieces were rarely used. The most fascinating aspect of the exhibit is seeing Andy Warhol’s unreleased photography in relation to our current society—and our obsession with Instagram.

Andy Warhol photography polaroid New York Exhibition — *Male photography at the Andy Warhol Photography Exhibit in NY – 2020*

In the late 1960s, Warhol began with a Polaroid camera, used to film his inner circle colleagues, including Mick Jagger, Diana Vreeland, Lee Radziwill, Taylor Mead, and Nan Kempner. Warhol called the Polaroid camera “the date ” and carried it everywhere as his trademark, a device that allowed him to engage his subjects although simultaneously imposing distance.

Among the Polaroid portraits seen are those of Tina Chow, Bianca Jagger, Mapplethorpe, Rudolf Nureyev, among others, each is distinct in a very singular way.

In Times Square, Warhol used photo booths to create regular photos of art dealers, collectors, and bright young creative artists, who visited the factory. Such periods became source material for some of Warhol’s most famous early portraits such as the art dealers, Holly Solomon, Jane Holzer, and Edie Sedgwick.

In the 1960s, when Warhol was first recognized, photography received little regard other than graphic art, yet the photographic image march through the studios of leading artists in that decade.

Warhol blurs the photographic line with the cinematical, riffing on photography’s replicability. Warhol’s homoerotic eye is also on show everywhere. The men are objects to the artist’s desire, as are the ones on different stages of sexual excitement in another Polaroid series.

In a separate room, images show an attractive young man who is in mundane situations with an unusual display of the artist’s longing visible.

Overall the whole show made me think of our current social-media-affected society. Recording every ordinary detail of our lives. The ubiquity of phones at fashion shows, art openings and just everywhere… selfies, selfie sticks, whatever new gadget… all for our 15 minutes of fame.

Andy Warhol Photography: 1967–1987 at Jack Shainman Gallery in Chelsea, New York thru February 15, 2020.

You Don’t Need to be Rich to Start an Art Collection

Published by VAGA Editor

Let’s put it bluntly. For most of us, starting an art collection sounds intimidating. Art galleries can be a bit pretentious and the idea of getting into some of these places with a not-so-full-wallet is daunting for the majority of us living simple lives.

You don’t need to be wealthy in order to start an art collection. Many of the art collectors I know started collecting art on a small budget, including very notorious ones. Remember, art galleries function in a similar way to high-end retailers so, ultimately, they need to generate sales.

Collectors are needed by gallerists and artists and they don’t expect you to start with a big purchase. Top-notch galleries also sell younger, emerging artists alongside bigger names. Investing in works of art by both existing and lesser-known names is a good way of beginning to gather and kicking off your art collection.

Learn and follow your intuition investing in emerging artists

Building a stunning collection of art is like having style. It is a mix of taste, knowledge, and intuition. It is primordial to educate yourself before making a purchase and search for opportunities online and in smaller galleries. You can accumulate the art collection of your dreams by investing in emerging artists. Nevertheless, your first reference should always be your heart. You should make a final decision on the purchase of art because you love it and want to live with it because the market can be volatile and fickle.

You Don’t Have To Be Rich To Start Collecting Art — Miami Art Basel 2019

Over time, by attending art fairs, galleries, and exhibitions—some good ones Miami Art Basel, Affordable Art Fair or Frieze in New York— you can refine your taste and make informed purchases by seeing what the current market looks like—and what pieces are being sold. By gaining a sense of trends, you will get an idea of how the markets affect the value of certain works of art. If you are unable to attend art fairs, take a look through the galleries on show at the art fairs’ websites.

How to make smart purchases when buying an art piece

If you want to start with a bigger name artist. A piece of good advice is to never undervalue a drawing. Most often it is the genesis of a more extensive artwork. And, as the traditional masterpiece hierarchy goes, paper is usually much less expensive than canvas.

On the other hand, art tech startups are also changing the way we collect art, and young collectors flock to discover new work online more than ever. Platforms like Instagram offer collectors an endless stream of online galleries to search through.

An artist’s work will often be sold at a more modest price online, without representation. If you find something on the Internet or an artist on Instagram that you like, don’t be afraid to send a message to that artist, and see what is available.

Keep an eye on the art schools in your area, invest in art that supports the community

A great place to begin the purchase of art pieces for your collection, before prices for an artist begin to rise is through school exhibitions. You may snag a good art investment piece before the artist becomes widely known. It is also an excellent way to support artists early in their careers.

Check out art schools in your area and look for portfolio reviews and exhibitions during their calendar year (Pratt Institue, The School of Visual Arts.) Gallery owners also attend these events for new talent. You will be at the cutting-edge of what is happening in the world of art. It is probably risky, but it can make a big difference in the future, for the artist, and for your art collection.

In summary, how to start collecting art

Most importantly, learn about art and the artists you like, their history and how they became noticed. Having an educated opinion and some knowledge of art history will train your eye. Follow the emerging artists you like and try to schedule a studio visit or a private view of their work before purchasing anything online. Get a website, blog or some sort of more professional Intenet presence. Try to attend art meetups and join art collectors groups. Go for it and don’t get intimidated. Ultimately it is not about the money but about taste and making smart choices.

6 Cutting-Edge Barcelona Art Galleries

Published by VAGA Editor

Beyond Barcelona’s main museums and attractions, there is a gallery world and scene emerging throughout the city. For instance, since 2015 Barcelona Gallery Weekend has offered gallerists and art lovers a meeting ground and a place to discover new artists and openly talk about works of art. Galleries that understand the power of direct communication with their audience with a down-to-earth artistic attitude are in the cutting-edge of today’s art scene. Below a few of Barcelona art galleries worth skipping a museum:

Marlborough Barcelona Art Gallery

The Marlborough Gallery has acquired considerable prestige as pioneers in the display of works by German expressionist artists, holding significant exhibits featuring works by important artists, such as Francis Bacon or Henry Moore. Actually, the network has spaces for exhibits in New York, London, Tokyo, Rome, Florida, Madrid, and Barcelona, which opened in 2006 and was presented in partnership with several other galleries, museums, and public and private organizations. The scope of their exhibitions includes both national and international consecrated and emergent artists, to whom they give great creative freedom so that a broad range of proposals can be observed, both in styles and with regard to artistic support.

Àngels Barcelona Gallery

Experimental art enthusiasts should find their way to Barcelona’s El Raval streets just 50 meters from the MACBA Contemporary Art Museum. We refer to the Àngels Barcelona Gallery as a project which, since its establishment in 2007, has sought a representative discourse about the social environment and a critical approach to the artistic process and to its languages. In the exhibition space, works by well-known artists, such as Daniel Ortiz, Ion Fontcuberta, Pep Agut or Esther Ferrer, can be seen.

Joan Prats Barcelona Art Gallery

Founded in 1976, Joan Prats Gallery is a pioneer in the international contemporary art scene and has taken part in major exhibition fairs, including ARCO Madrid or Art Basel, since its creation. Joan Prats Gallery dedicates itself to disseminating and exploring the works of its painters, including the painters, Joan Hernández Pijuan, Luis Gordillo and Albert Ràfols-Casamada.

3 Punts Gallery

3 Punts Galerry was created in 1994, with the aim of promoting contemporary art in its many events, making its artists known through regular exhibitions and art fairs. You can see works by artists such as José Cobo, Erika Babatz, Paola de Grenet, Sito Mújica or Juan Perdiguero in their Enric Granados Street facilities among other places.

Balaguer Gallery

The Balaguer Gallery has been committed since it was founded in 2004 to promoting contemporary art in its multiple events, making exhibitions of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and performing arts. His line of action in recent years is designed to promote the career of young new talent and is thus consolidated as one of the reference quarries in the Spanish contemporary art landscape. Names like Víctor Jaenada, Dominica Sánchez and Albert Gusi are among the artists who exhibit their creations at the Balaguer Gallery.

ProjecteSD Exhibition Space

ProjecteSD is an exhibition space created in 2003 with the goal of creating a dialog between the work of established artists and young artists. The work of the ProjecteSD Gallery seeks to confront pieces of different styles, periods and contexts so that the intrinsic value of works over trends, trends, and trends is emphasized. In addition to regular exhibitions to promote the careers of resident artists at home, ProjectteSD gives significant importance to the development of artist books with an editorial section. It has been given a high standard in the art world, with its own label focused on the careful selection of artists beyond market trends and the consistency of his exhibition program.

Eboy Style: Haircuts + Hairstyles

Published by VAGA Editor

When talking about eboy hairstyle it is all about emphasizing your natural hair texture and features. From short, messy, natural to crazy colors dyed hair. The trend aims towards expressing your individuality while enhancing what you already got.

A lot of people think that eboy style and its haircuts and hairstyles are new, but the fact is the eboy cuts have been on vogue since the 90s, mostly with the name curtain haircut. For a good reference about the eboy style, look at it as a mix of k-pop, dyed hair, painted nails with rings and dark clothing. It is a mix of both emo and hipster style but still something completely new.

Dyed hair is a key component of the eboy look. Many people think that eboys have the style of South Korean boy bands like BTS but, for instance, Timothée Chalamet is a huge Hollywood example proving that this eboy hairstyle is not limited to k-pop fans only. The 24-year-old American actor is the quintessential representation of the millennial eboy look.

*Timothée Chalamet and the ‘messy’ curtain haircut*

The curtain haircut is the most common hairstyle among k-pop culture, and we have seen k-pop musicians and actors both rocking it. These hairstyles are best for those men or boys who want to change their looks and try something new while style maintaining a sort of i-don’t-really-care attitude.
If your face shape is long, then you can go for this look or if you have a bigger forehead then this hairstyle is totally for you. The eboy cuts look cool on everyone.

Keeping in mind the referenced curtains hairstyle as a main piece. We have rounded up a selection of trendy eboy haircuts + hairstyles for you so you can rock them as well according to your choice.

Messy Hair

Natural Wavy Hair

This natural wavy hair and the messy look can give you the impression you don’t need to take care of it but nothing further from reality. In fact, it requires a bit of work to achieve this hairstyle. Work through your hair with a texture cream that will hydrate and control the frizz.

Dyed Hair: Pink or Green

Eboy Style: Haircuts + Hairstyles Dyed Hair — *You can never go wrong with an eBoy haircut that is dyed in green or pink. There is something utterly 90s grunge about it.*

Eboy Style: Haircuts + Hairstyles — *Pink dyed hair*

You can never go wrong with double-dyed hair. If you have blonde hair then you can dye one side in black or if you have black hair then you can bleach them on one side also. You can try out this look with some semi-permanent hair dye and see how you feel about it during 4 to 6 weeks.

Bleached Hair

TikTok star Noen Eubanks has bleached his eBoy haircut and everyone seems to be going for it.

Find Your Own Style

Ultimately, the eboy look is about whatever feels right for oneself. If you are annoyed about the bangs, try adding some thin wax to it and play around with it. Whatever makes you feel truthful and confident.

5 of the Best Summer Music Festivals in Spain

Published by VAGA Editor

Spain has been on the international summer music festivals radar for some time now, and recently it has expanded its variety range. The country was and remains to be a paradise for EDM, House, and electronic music lovers. But events such as Barcelona Primavera Sound Music Festival and Mad Cool in Madrid have proven Spanish cities great hosts of multi-genre music festivals.

The beautiful summer weather and landmarks can be complemented by unforgettable experiences able to please the most demanding festivaleros. Below a list of the best summer music festivals in Spain that only add up to the country as a top destination.

*The massive stage at A Summer Story Music Festival*

A Summer Story 2020

A Summer Story is a fairly young festival, only 5 years away from its first edition, each one has seen a massive lineup with A-list headliners. Held on the outskirts of the capital Madrid, this is the place to go for a well-packed mesh of EDM, electronic and house underground and big names.

This Madrid dance giant fest hosted the stage for Don Diablo, Carl Cox, and Dimitry Vega & Like Mike as headliners in the past. While the latest edition is still in the early stages of development, there is plenty to look forward to with the already booked performers. As this year’s headliners, Armin van Buuren, Timmy Trumpet and Amelie Lens have been officially announced, however, there are a few artists yet to be confirmed.

The festival will be held in Arganda del Rey, Ciudad del Rock on June 19th and 20th. Throughout its two dates, the festival will offer a diverse variety for international ravers coming to Madrid.

*A Summer Story Music Festival Massive Stage*

FIB Benicàssim 2020 Music Festival

Festival Internacional de Benicàssim has become renowned over its indie essence and massive lineups as well. Held in the peak of summer each July, Benicassim has seen amazing lineups that mix up the underground and mainstream music scene. Festival-goers are also meant to relax before attending, with a coastal town that offers wonderful beaches, scuba diving, and boat trips.

FIB is also one of the longest-running international festivals in Spain, founded in 1995, it has increasingly gained prestige as one of the world ́s biggest alternative music festivals. It has also hosted shows from Muse, Kendrick Lamar, The Strokes, Foals, deadmau5, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as headliners in the past.

This year won’t fall short either, with Martin Garrix, The Lumineers, Steve Aoki and The Libertines in the spotlight. The festival runs from July 16th until the 19th with music kicking off in the evening there’s a chance to also enjoy and explore the locality and beaches of Benicàssim.

Barcelona Beach Music Festival

The Barcelona Beach Festival is one of Spain’s EDM and Electronic music sweethearts. With only 4 years on the go, it has packed the beach with its superstar lineup year after year. It is held at Platja del Fòrum in the north of Barcelona.

Everything in this enormous festival is done on a massive scale, from its megastar lineup to its space and energy. Considered to be a headliner festival, as 9 of its 12 performers are part of the main event, there is no room for small in the BBF. This has made Barcelona Beach Music Festival an important date in the international summer music festivals panorama.

BBF will take place July 11th and Armin Van Buuren, Marshmello and Alan Walker will be amongst the headliners of the massive festival.

Bilbao BBK Live

This multi-genre festival is one of the most regarded summer festivals, and one of Europe’s most beloved ones. Each summer in the city of Bilbao in the Basque country top billboard meets underground A-listers, trap meets rock, reggaeton meets electronic and hip-hop meets pop.

BBK live charms those who attend with its beautiful setting in the mountains, a brilliant overlook and top-notch music throughout 3 days. Many claim that its enchanting escapist essence in the woodlands makes it the best music fest Europe has to offer.

Past editions have seen Thom Yorke, Rosalia, and Liam Gallagher as the main event, but this year BBK Live seems even more promising and diverse. This year has officially announced Bad Bunny, The Killers and Pet Shop Boys among other headliners. Bilbao promises to be an ideal scenic summer experience.

This year Bilbao BBK Live Music Festival will be 3 days long, starting July 9th until the 11th.

Mad Cool Fest

Mad Cool has been in the eyes of the music industry for a while now. Founded in 2016, last year’s edition was so powerful and memorable NME regarded it as “the best music festival of the year”. In fact, it is nominated for Best Festival in the World on the NME awards. Madrid’s flagship festival has expanded remarkably fast, as this year’s edition decided to go for a 4-day length and even more artists.

Mad Cool has managed to be all about the music and the event, offering a powerful all-star lineup each year from all genres. Last year The 1975 stole the show along with headliners, The Cure and The National in a space that seemed to offer a lot to those who attended.

The official line ups for this summer’s Mad Cool festival has been announced and it is exciting to see so many international artists and genres array for one occasion. It will be held July 8th to the 11th in Madrid.

—words by Arturo Farage

Art-Tech Startups Disrupting Collectors and Curators

Published by VAGA Editor

While art and technology industries continue to live in different orbits, both of them are closer to collide due to the meteoric rise of e-commerce, blockchain art networks, and disintermediation.

As a result of this art-tech clash, today’s art collectors are more active, and artists may interact digitally with galleries or museums, showcasing their work through multiple channels. On the other hand, new technologies simplify the workings of the art world, offering solutions and tools that art tech startups are providing to this new audience and clientele.

Robot muralist embellishing many cities all over the world — The spraypainter robot. A spray painting by art-tech startup Robot Muralist

Immutable ledgers as blockchain transactions can be used in a particular work of art to trace their journey from the artists to the owners. A new cryptocurrency with its own exchange rate and tokens is provided by the system, making it a groundbreaking resource for the art world. Dealing with art pieces in a completely different way in which prices are set by AI blockchain processes. Think of it as a cryptocurrency specifically for art transactions.

The art industry has generally been ruled by a few people who didn’t really care about digital evolution, as the means for it to coexist weren’t there. How would have they envision the blockchain revolution that was about to take the whole industry for a trippy ride?

The core idea of these art-tech startups is to help galleries and art collectors with their transition to the digital sphere. Art-tech startups have enabled collectors and art acquaintances to move away from museums into a wider public. From a visit to an online gallery to a new level of transparency in art history through blockchain. These startups are offering solutions to some of the problems in the traditional art world dealership.

Is niche-dating the future of dating apps?
Find art dates with muzing

Here are 5 of the most innovative art-tech startups. They keep the creativity going at all times and encourage artists to do what they like the most, curate, collect and exhibit their art.

1. Robot Muralist has developed a climbing robot known as Albert that can paint images of any size on any surface. Designed for both DIY homeowners and street artists, the spray printer robot muralist can efficiently transform any design into wall art, both cost-effectively and in time. This TechChill Pitching Competition winner is based in Tartu and Silicon Valley. Most importantly, they also help cities become public galleries and contribute to the happiness and of people living in more eye-pleasant spaces.

2. Muzing: Visiting a museum is as much as of an enrichment self-act as it is a social one. Muzing is about sharing this cultural, art interests with others. Discover people interested in the same art shows, connect and plan your outing. This niche-dating app might just be the future of dating.

3. Fresco: Designed as a trust distribution platform for artists, retailers and art associations, Fresco is a Swiss startup created in 2017 aiming to simplify the art industry’s trust-checking process. The company has also presented the FRESCO Art Award, the first blockchain art prize in the world, and plans to build a digital museum to showcase FRESCO artists’ curated work.

4. DADA.nyc: A social network to connect art lovers. Artists who use DADA are encouraged to work with other artists to bring their work to life and when the work becomes a reality, the platform acts as a marketplace that can be powered by smart contracts to solve their work.

5. Artbinder: Back in 2014 ArtBinder raised more than $3M to help galleries doing the transition into mobile. Since then it has attracted an international client list, including over 300 of the most well-known galleries and dealers. Galleries joined because it allows them to show art to their buying clients in a simpler and accessible manner and to organize and manage their inventories.

More Art-Tech articles:
https://vagazine.com/New+York-School-for-Poetic-Computation

Anna Sui NY Exhibit at the Museum of Arts & Design

Published by VAGA Editor

Rooted in Detroit and based in New York, Anna Sui is the current cult designer and fashion icon to be exhibited at the Museum of Arts and Design. She became part of the New York socialite and global pop culture in the 90s. Her sensual fashion designs and artistic 60s hippie vibes make her instantly recognizable and famous worldwide.

Anna Sui Exhibit NY Rock and Roll — Rock n roll boho vibes at the Anna Sui exhibit in NY

Sui’s fashion always goes the extra mile, sampling and drawing inspiration from movies, music, history, cultures, and literature. These elements are blended into the designer’s fascination for different historical periods. Sui has a natural drive to experiment with different materials and pop-culture references in her repertoire.

Anna Sui with models Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid fashion show — The designer with models Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid

During her extensive career, Anna Sui created a unique aesthetic with many noteworthy hits such as Japanese handkerchief and qipao dresses, combining artistic poles and filters to create narratives of different bits of cultures.

Grunge, hippie, rockstar and hula fashion are only a few of the frames-up that one can appreciate from Sui’s narrative, but it is all part of her expression, of the artistic process.

Kate Moss at Anna Sui Fashion Show in the 90s — Kate Moss at Anna Sui 90s Fashion Show

Men's Anna Sui Fashion Show in the 90s — Anna Sui 1990s Fashion Show

The exhibition debuted in London back in 2017, it features more than 100 pieces from the designer and aims to help the viewers dive into the artistic archetypes of Anna Sui. Originally curated by Dennis Nothdruft for the Textile Museum, London, it was adapted for the MAD Museum Exhibit in New York by Barbara Paris Gifford.

This time, “The World of Anna Sui” exhibit in NY presents approximately 100 looks from the collection of the designer, showing staples pieces, roll and roll looks, archetypes of Sui aesthetics. It also highlights her idols as a child and the importance of her partners, including the Garment Center in New York City.

“The World of Anna Sui” exhibit is currently on view at the Museum of Arts and Design in Manhattan 2 Columbus Cir, New York, through February 23, 2020

More New York Art Shows:
https://vagazine.com/blog/art/phillips-auction-banksy-kaws-private-art-sale/