JPG Newsletter: big JPG upgrade, NfTnEtArT exhibition, how to set up your own storefront + ecosystem news
As everyone knows, there’s a German word for absolutely every feeling you could feel. And lately the overwhelming majority of the world is feeling the deepest Weltschmerz, and so am I, so apologies if this newsletter comes out rather dry and sans memes - it’s hard to communicate good news in the light of everything going on.
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JPG shipped a big upgrade this Monday. It features a new layout, Zora marketplace integration, better exhibition discovery and major UX improvements. If you would like to read more about it - click here.
This big upgrade was created thanks to user feedback, that has been flowing on Discord, and by collaborating with panke.gallery, Office Impart and Zora. As a matter of fact, the marketplace functionality (by way of the Zora integration) was first created for the NfTnEtArT exhibition that is now live on JPG, bringing together artists that use algorithmic or generative systems as their artistic language. The pieces are up for sale, either through JPG or via auctions linked to the exhibition.
Now that the Zora fixed price integration on JPG is up and running and tested thanks to the aforementioned show, I wrote a quick and easy guide on how everyone can set up their own storefront using Zora and JPG. I hope you find it helpful!
Kevin Buist, who I previously featured since he writes some of the best criticisms and reviews around, wrote a really good and thoughtful piece on JPG and NFT curation through testing our platform, for the great Outland magazine. Here’s a great quote from it:
“The best curators begin with the structures that define their activity—protocols, institutions, politics, historical narratives—and push past them into new territory. The best exhibitions aren’t containers for artwork. They’re radical propositions that force us to confront art in light of new contexts and possibilities.”
On this topic, with Office Impart and Panke.gallery we are hosting a Twitter Spaces on Wednesday February 9th at 8pm CET and invited Wade Wallerstein from Pieces of Me/Transfer Gallery/ Silicon Valet and Stina Gustafsson.
Some cool things from friends all across the NFT space:
Proof of Work by Jonathan Chomko is launching a new drop today - details on their website. Jonathan produces really interesting work - and has recently been reviewed by the awesome Duncan Cooper (aka Bram on Discord) for Outland. Really good read!
The legendary avatar LaTurbo Avedon released early works via the NfTnEtArT exhibition - they’re up for auction now!
Stina and Aurece Vettier have a wonderful piece on RightClickSave - a wonderful journey around philosophical contemplation of the metaverse and its actors.
Probably one of the most read interviews on Outland - the brilliant Rhea Myers with the incredible Mckenzie Wark, author of one of my favorite things ever, My Collectible Ass.
Finally, a note: even though buying art is really an incredible thing, if you can spare cash, during these times it’s better to help others. At the end of the day, our NFTs and coins matter very little when the world’s such a horrible place. I am then sharing list of trusted resources in case you would like to donate some crypto towards Ukraine’s relief.
Uniswap’s created a UI that swaps your coins for ETH and sends straight to the Ukrainian government Ethereum address - it’s the safest way and the address is verified.
If you don’t want to donate to governments or you want to make sure your donation is not used for defense, there is an initiative of trusted people from the space that buy hardware and distribute it, to make sure there’s internet access in Ukraine. Here’s the thread and ENS address.
Anastasiya is a lovely person I’ve had the pleasure to work with on multiple occasions. She’s Ukrainian from Crimea and working on fundraising for pet shelters via Mirror. Here’s the info about it.
PussyRiot, Trippy and PleasrDAO organized the UkraineDAO - also a trusted and safe way to chip in.