22: Protocol Art & Blockchain Formalism—Mitchell F Chan, Ania Catherine, Dejha Ti, matto & maltefr

In this conversation, the Le Random team reflects on 2025's noteworthy second quarter in digital art. Host Peter Bauman (editor in chief at Le Random) is joined by thefunnyguys (CEO) and Conrad House (Collection Lead).📖 Chapters[00:00]: Introduction and Podcast Overview[01:38]: Discussion on Digital Art Institutions[06:18]: New York as a Hub for Digital Art[10:50]: Le Random's Second Quarter Events (4)[27:17]: Favorites of the year: Exhibitions[32:58]: Notable Artworks and Projects[42:59]: Standout Acquisitions[48:00]: Favorite Editorials[51:42]: What we're looking forward to, especially Infinite Images at Toledo Museum of Art

This is Part I of our Deep Learning Series where Le Random's editor-in-chief Peter Bauman (Monk Antony) speaks with the most relevant figures in deep learning art. In this first installment, Peter speaks with two of the earliest artists to engage with the intersection of art and deep generative models, Tom White (dribnet) and Gene Kogan.They explore the artistic, philosophical and cultural implications of GANs and deep generative models, drawing on the artists' early experiences and perspectives in the field . The conversation touches on the origins of their interest in GANs, the evolution of AI and its perception, critiques of AI art, the nature of machine representations, and the connection between AI and decentralization.Chapters 📖:[00:00:00]: Introduction and Guest Overview[00:01:50]: First Encounters with GANs and Initial Excitement[00:04:04]: Gene's Journey with Machine Learning and Art[00:08:55]: The Rise of AI Twitter and Deep Learning Culture[00:12:04]: The Mission to Make AI Tools Accessible[00:17:56]: Changing Philosophies of Computation[00:21:54]: Critiques of AI in the Art World[00:27:42]: Tom's Algorithmic Gaze, Machine Perception & The Platonic Representation Hypothesis[00:34:00]: Art by AI for AI—Tom's Machine Representation & Phil's Hypothesis[00:37:49]: Decentralized AI and its Evolution[00:40:33]: Tom's Early Work at MIT and Interactive Graphics[00:43:13]: Final Thoughts

In this conversation, the Le Random team reflects on a noteworthy start to 2025 in digital art. Host Peter Bauman (Editor-in-Chief at Le Random) is joined by thefunnyguys (CEO) and Conrad House (Collection Lead).📖 Chapters00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:29 – AI Ethics & Artist Consent Debates00:04:31 – Legal Uncertainty & Fair Use00:06:55 – How Artists Are Using AI Tools00:08:14 – Redistributing Value Through New Models00:11:02 – Silicon Valley vs. Academic Roots of AI00:14:11 – The Power Imbalance in AI Development00:17:36 – Why AI Agents Fell Short This Quarter00:21:45 – Functional AI Agents & DAO Experiments00:27:17 – Rethinking NFTs in Digital Art00:33:11 – Institutional Misalignment: Case of Sam Spratt00:40:50 – Manolo’s Return to Generative Art00:46:51 – Protocol Art & January’s Highlights00:51:08 – Q1 Standout Exhibitions00:55:57 – Favorite Projects, Acquisitions & Looking Ahead

In this episode of the Le Random podcast, host Peter Bauman (Monk Antony), our editor-in-chief, coordinates a discussion on coordination. He is joined by very special guests Mitchell F Chan, Operator's Ania Catherine and Dejha Ti, matto from Material Protocol Arts and maltefr.The conversation explores both the contrasts and connections between these seemingly opposing emerging camps, reaching at the very heart of why artists choose to work on Ethereum—straight from the protocol's leading thinkers and practitioners.

In Part 3 of our Digital Curators Series, host Peter Bauman (Editor-in-Chief at Le Random) interviews Tate Modern's Val Ravaglia, a display specialist and the curator of Electric Dreams, Tate's major historical digital art exhibition which runs until June 1, 2025. Ravaglia is Curator, Displays & International Art at Tate Modern. Her curatorial work has focused on display for over twelve years. In addition to curating Le Random's exhibition of the year, Electric Dreams, Ravaglia assisted on Tate’s complete collection rehang in 2016. The conversation covers the complexities of digital art display from a major museum perspective. Links: Chapters 📖: [1:46] Audience Reactions to Electric Dreams [6:15] The Role of Display at Tate Modern [17:00] Challenges of Collection Displays [21:20] Displaying Digital Art: Unique Considerations [31:38] The Complexities of Displaying Electric Dreams [42:02] Best Practices for Exhibiting Digital Art [46:00] Advice for Artists and Exhibitors [50:35] Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

In this conversation, the Le Random team reflects on a whirlwind 2024 in digital art and looks ahead to 2025. Host Peter Bauman (Editor-in-Chief at Le Random) is joined by thefunnyguys (CEO) and Conrad House (Collection Lead). Chapters 📖 Chapter 1: Introduction [00:00:05] - Host Peter Bauman introduces the podcast, the guests, and the agenda: reflecting on 2024 and discussing the outlook for 2025. Chapter 2: Themes of 2024 [00:01:26] - Discussion on the major themes of 2024, focusing on digital art platforms like fxhash, Foundation, Art Blocks, and their pivots or expansions. - The Artist Token Economy [00:02:43] - Exploration of the fxhash artist token economy and its implications for artists and collectors. - Platform Developments [00:03:30] - Conrad House talks about Rodeo's onboarding process and how platforms are adapting to market conditions. - Market Conditions vs. Institutional Acceptance [00:06:29] - Peter Bauman discusses the dual themes of market struggles and institutional acceptance of digital art in 2024. - Institutional Recognition of Digital Art [00:09:45] - Thefunnyguys and Conrad House reflect on the institutional acclaim for digital art and its impact on the market. - Maturing Market and Collectors [00:11:06] - Discussion on the maturing digital art market and the growing sophistication of collectors. Chapter 2: Exhibitions of the Year [00:14:30] - We share our favorite exhibitions of 2024, including Electric Dreams and Electric Op. Chapter 3: Projects of the Year [00:22:55] - We discuss our favorite projects from 2024, such as The Call by Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst. Chapter 4: Le Random acquisitions of the year [00:35:55] - Discussion on favorite team acquisitions and commissions of 2024, highlighting Deep ASCII, Florada, and others. Chapter 5: Artist of the Year [00:45:45] - We nominate our artists of the year, including Holly Herndon, Mat Dryhurst, and Rafaël Rozendaal. Chapter 6: Events of 2024 [00:54:04] - Reflection on the major events of 2024, such as the Generative Art Summit in Berlin and Bright Moments Venice. Chapter 7: Accomplishments of 2024 [00:59:11] - We highlight personal and team accomplishments from 2024, focusing on commissions and content. Chapter 8: Looking Ahead to 2025 [01:04:29] - We discuss the events and projects we're looking forward to in 2025, including NFT Paris and new exhibitions. Chapter 9: Market and Regulatory Outlook for 2025 [01:10:24] - Discussion on the potential impact of political and regulatory changes on the crypto and digital art markets in 2025. Chapter 10: Goals and Aspirations for 2025 [01:20:59] - We share our goals for 2025, including exploring new technologies, activations, and preservation efforts. Chapter 11: Closing Thoughts [01:28:28] - Final reflections on 2024 and excitement for the opportunities and challenges that 2025 may bring.

In this special Le Random artist conversation—hosted by Peter Bauman (aka Monk Antony), Editor-in-Chief of Le Random—we turn our attention to one of the most exciting shows of the year, Tate Modern's Electric Dreams. Peter is joined by three extraordinary exhibiting artists that exemplify the aims of the show: Rebecca Allen, Analívia Cordeiro & Eduardo Kac. Conrad House, Le Random's Collection Lead, co-hosts the talk. "One of Tate Modern’s most ambitious exhibitions to date," Electric Dreams is a major historical exhibition on the roots of new media expression celebrating "the early innovators of optical, kinetic, programmed and digital art." The artists reflect on their pioneering contributions to the major show, while sharing firsthand their experiences with the historical challenges and overdue recognition of digital art. Read from the show's curator, Val Ravaglia, with Peter.

In this conversation, Peter Bauman (Editor-in-Chief at Le Random) interviews Regina Harsanyi and Jon Ippolito, two digital curators and experts in digital art's preservation. Harsanyi is the Associate Curator of Media Arts at the Museum of the Moving Image and an independent advisor on preventive conservation for variable media arts. Ippolito is a new media artist, writer and former curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. He is also a professor of new media at the University of Maine, where he founded the Graduate Digital Curation Program. The conversation covers the complexities of digital art preservation, especially concerning blockchain and AI-based works. Links: https://transfergallery.com/data-trust/ https://dweb.grayarea.org https://DigitalCuration.UMaine.edu Chapters [00:00:04] Introduction to Digital Preservation [00:01:50] The Financial Reality of Digital Preservation [00:05:25] Industry-wide Challenges in Preservation [00:10:52] Variable Media: Why Preservation Matters [00:14:22] Legacy, Ethics, and Artistic Intent in Preservation [00:27:12] The Role of Museums and Institutional Standards [00:38:30] Blockchain Robustness as Storage Mechanism [00:43:15] Copyright Challenges in Blockchain-based Art [00:54:30] Strategies for Digital Preservation [01:04:02] Digital Conservation's Component Parts [01:13:40] Educational Resources for Collectors and Artists

In this conversation, Peter Bauman (Editor-in-Chief at Le Random) interviews Douglas Dodds, a longtime Senior Digital Curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and a pivotal figure in the institutional collecting of new media art. The discussion covers the challenges of collecting digital art, including sourcing, preserving and showcasing these works in a museum context. Dodds shares particularly valuable insights into the acquisition process, from identifying valuable pieces to navigating relationships with artists and galleries. He also reflects on the unique historical significance of the V&A's collection, which spans early computer-generated works to contemporary digital media, emphasizing the importance of context in building a cohesive and enduring collection. They also discuss the role of donations, the complex value of digital art beyond financial metrics and the delicate relationship between institutions and new digital mediums like NFTs. We get a museum perspective on the concerns of our community. 📖 Chapters [00:00:03]: Introduction to Le Random Digital Curators Series [00:01:35]: Challenges in Collecting Digital Art [00:03:31]: Identifying Worthwhile Artworks and Preservation Issues [00:05:14]: Process of Identifying Digital Art to Collect [00:09:17]: V&A's Goals and Unique Collection Aspects [00:14:54]: Sourcing Digital Artworks and Building Relationships [00:20:55]: Donations vs. Purchases in Acquisitions [00:26:03]: Value of Digital Art for Museums [00:34:00]: Final Steps in the Acquisition Process [00:42:28]: Impact of Patric Prince on Digital Art Collection

In this special Le Random artist discussion—hosted by Peter Bauman (aka Monk Antony), Editor-in-Chief of Le Random—we cover the upcoming Electric Op exhibition at Buffalo AKG. Our guests include four of the most influential voices in digital expression over the past two-three decades: Cory Arcangel, Joan Heemskerk, Tali Hinkis, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Joining Peter is co-host Conrad House (aka Nemocake), Le Random’s Collection Lead. Each artist reflects on their unique practices and contributions to the Electric Op show, which bridges op art and digital media. We explore how their art interacts with technology’s aesthetic, cultural and historical dimensions.