NFTs, nonprofits, and longevity intersect at Art Basel Miami

Just as Art Basel has expanded beyond its first gallery exhibitions in Switzerland, where the international art fair was conceived, the pursuit of longer and more fulfilling lives has grown from the subject of science fiction novels to real, viable science.

Now, the evolution of art is being harnessed as the Longevity Science Foundation’s partnership with Triptych and digital artist Nikita Replyanski stepped up during Art Basel in Miami Beach. The partnership to launch a pool of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) was announced over the summer. “Longevity Volumes” will help finance LSF research grants for long-term projects.

Replyanski said he was showing his own work and collaborations, including that with LSF, at Beyond Basel, a star-studded, cutting-edge NFT event curated by Trippy Labs.

“All my art is inspired by the transformation of humanity through technology,” he said. “The field of longevity touches every layer of human reality like no other; from the physical to the social, it’s very inspiring.”

Replyanski hopes that his work with LSF will help to change attitudes towards basic and experimental science. “I like to think that through projects like this I participate in shaping the image of the future of medicine and science,” Replyanski said.

His work has been at the intersection of technology and humanism for nearly a decade as he was involved in designing bionic/robotic hands with Motorica. Replyanski collaborated with engineers to develop several design lines used by disabled people today. Models with his prosthetics participate in fashion shows and photoshoots designed to transform how the world perceives prosthetics and disabilities.

One of Replyanski’s bionic prostheses

“I am very passionate about the values ​​of transhumanism, among which, of course, biology and medicine play a big role,” he said. “It is an amazing experience to study the human body, combining the living and the artificial, to see how the results of your work can change lives.”

NFTs in the art world

Events evolve. Science is developing. Art evolves, and NFTs play an important role in redefining the evolution of media. Events like Art Basel are an opportunity to expose what may be an uninitiated audience to the potential that exists for this medium.

“The role of such events for the NFT community and digital art in general is huge,” Replyanski said. “First of all, it is the development of digital art as a genre, which opens it up to the audience of traditional art, representing brands and galleries. Of course, it expands the boundaries of the NFT community. I am sure many people will change their attitude towards NFTs thanks to such events.”

He said that having the opportunity to engage an audience in person, as opposed to a more content-rich medium like his Instagram feed, provided a greater experience and a more authentic expression of the artistic statements he’s trying to convey.

“Context is very important to any work of art,” Replyanski said. “Immersing yourself in it through big screens cannot be compared to scrolling through an Instagram feed where people often see my pieces. There is another level of communication with my art. The viewer can literally immerse themselves in my world.”

This is extremely important for artists, especially given the state of the financial markets as investors look for alternatives. “Thanks to the bear market, there are still people for whom NFTs are not the way to make quick money, but a full-fledged platform for self-realization of a creator’s art or a niche for web3 project development,” he said. “I am one of those who have invested time and money in building my own little universe within the NFT environment. I have many releases coming up in the near future.”

Flora, one of Nikita’s previous NFT artworks. See more of his work here.

NFTs for non-profit organizations

Replyanski said he is particularly excited about the potential NFTs have for nonprofits like the Longevity Science Foundation.

“NFT drops for non-profits are a new tool of participation for those who want to support them,” he said. “In addition to the already established system of buying certain products in the form of a donation, NFTs can have all kinds of functions built into them. This is an open gateway for anyone who wants to become a participant in the life of a Web3 charitable company. Simplicity, accessibility, gamification or the ability to vote in the DAO. These are new additional possibilities for building a community with such funds. For the artist, it is an opportunity to show his vision and commitment to the theme.”

Sagacity, by Nikita Replyanski.

Proceeds from this NFT, his latest digital art, will support the Longevity Science Foundation.

The Longevity Science Foundation is a global non-profit organization dedicated to extending the human lifespan. Most recently, LSF further developed its presence in the United States with a new headquarters in Miami and the appointment of President and CEO, Lisa Ireland. NFTs will play a valuable role in advancing LSF’s work in funding cutting-edge longevity research. Nikita’s “Longevity Volumes” collection explores the relationship between humans and technology, and proceeds will go directly to support LSF.