Keanu Reeves obviously likes NFTs now

It seems that Keanu Reeves may have changed around NFTs. In December, the actor was sent to laughter after my colleague Alex Heath asked him about the idea of ​​digital scarcity and digital collectibles. Reeves commented that digital objects can be easily reproduced.

Now, however, he has joined a project from Non-Fungible Labs, and acts as a consultant for a program called the Futureverse Foundation, which aims to improve “the digital and physical world through support from various artists and creative communities.” According to The Hollywood Reporterwhich involves introducing traditional artists to NFTs and funding their efforts.

The art connection here is not exactly a surprise – Reeves’ partner, Alexandra Grant, is a prolific artist whose work has been featured in many exhibitions, according to her website. She is also an advisor to the foundation, and she is of great importance in a video released by Non-Fungible Labs to announce and explain the initiative.

In that video, Grant talks about how NFTs can be used to bring artists into “a new possible economy.” This is in line with what the Futureverse Foundation’s website describes as its mission: to build “a metaverse where everyone can access and create in an open, rich and diverse world.” Nevertheless, the foundation’s first charitable scholarship seemed to focus mainly on the physical world rather than the meta-verse: it gave art historian Nana Oforiatta Ayim 100,000 euros to help her curate Ghana’s exhibition at an international art fair in Venice. (To be clear, I think that sounds like a pretty admirable donation.)

In a press release from the Futureverse Foundation, Grant calls it “one of the most exciting projects I have worked on” and says she is looking forward to “dreaming up a new model for art philanthropy.” Meanwhile, Reeves’ statement sounds a bit more generic:

I am honored to be a part of Non-Fungible Labs’ efforts in collaboration with Alexandra Grant for the extraordinary program and opportunity of the Futureverse Foundation, in support of artists and creators globally.

Still, teaming up with an NFT project as an advisor to its charitable foundation that explicitly aims to get artists into the metaverse is a bit of a development from laughing at the idea that NFTs can be valuable. Non-Fungible Labs has taken a look at the video of Reeves laughing at the idea of ​​NFTs, as some posted in response to his Futureverse Foundation announcement on Twitter along with the question: “Has he changed his mind about NFTs?” The the company responded: “more than one NFT.”