Mad NFT and CODAworx collaborate to launch CODAMADE, a platform connecting the worlds of physical and digital public art. | Judith Masters

The art world is evolving at a rapid pace, and Mad NFT, a division of Mad, has teamed up with CODAworx, the hub of the commissioned art economy, to launch CODAMADE – a new platform that aims to bridge the gap between the physical and digital the world of public art. With state-of-the-art technology and resources, the partnership between Mad NFT and CODAworx will allow creative professionals on the global public art network to digitally fabricate NFTs that can be sold to art collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

CODAMADE’s mission is to create a new creative economy that gives artists and communities the opportunity to create works of art that bridge the gap between the physical public art world and the digital art sphere. Through the use of NFT “smart contracts”, multiple parties can benefit from the sale of NFTs in the digital world, including public art agencies and communities, who can use the revenue stream to support future public art commissions that contribute strongly to a community’s identity.

The platform will provide educational resources to equip artists, collectors and commissioners with the tools they need to learn everything necessary to successfully launch an NFT collection. The educational function, which is expected to go live in early 2023, will include the latest technology, creative process, marketing strategy, consulting services and membership packages. The aim is to help collectors understand the importance of their acquisitions and to help build a robust new creative economy that benefits everyone.

Marc Aptakin, CEO of Mad added, “NFT technology allows for a revenue stream for public art agencies, which can support future public art commissions that contribute strongly to a community’s identity. It also gives the public the opportunity to purchase and view artwork on display in public spaces around the world, which they may not have had the opportunity to visit and look at otherwise.”

CODAMADE’s marketplace currently features eight unique and curated NFT artists, with more to come in 2023. Artists on the platform include Susan Narduli, Edison Peñafiel, Cory Van Lew, Maria Finkelmeier, ET Projects, Joseph O’Connell and Creative Machines, I Var here, and vice versa. Each artist is carefully selected to ensure their work reflects CODAMADE’s mission to bridge the physical and digital worlds of public art.

In addition to the marketplace, CODAMADE is producing its first conference, CODAsummit NFT, hosted by Mad from March 29 to 31, 2023, at Mad Arts in Dania Beach. The conference will explore the exciting world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and their potential for artists working in the commissioned art domain. The lecture committee will include renowned public artists, public art commissioners and NFT industry insiders. Attendees will have the chance to hear from leading practitioners about how they are using NFT technology to create new art forms, monetize their work, engage with audiences and push the boundaries of what is possible in the public art space.

The exhibition: Phygital Cities of the Future, which takes place at the same time as the CODA Summit. This event will explore new ways of creating, sharing and experiencing public artworks. The exhibition will showcase digital artworks by artists creating in the public sphere alongside digital artworks by artists moving into the physical realm, demonstrating the joyous gathering of creativity.

CODAworx CEO Toni Sikes said: “We are excited to connect the public art community to the digital art world of NFTs. CODAMADE brings together all the many players in public art and in the process creates a robust new creative economy for the benefit of all .”

Into Consciousness by Maria FinkelmeierPhoto ofMaria Finkelmeier / MAD NFT / CODAMADE