Futuristic Hvar, from Rimac Nevera to Pop in NFT

July 24, 2023 – Two more stylish additions to the Hvar tourist season, as the Rimac Nevera and Pop in NFT exhibition take up residency on the Pjaca and Arsenal.

Nestled in between days on the beach and the vibrant nightlife, there has been a rather cool and subtle addition to the Hvar Town tourism offer this summer. An addition which has added quite a little colour and a lot of content to this most diverse of destinations.

As previously reported, the excellent Made in Croatia exhibition which has just finished in the Arsenal building was a superb presentations of the movers and shakers in the world of invention and innovation since its opening in May – a quality addition of educational tourism content for all the family.

Next up are two more new arrivals which are certain to attract plenty of interest from locals and tourists alike.

When we talk about Croatian innovators in the modern era, look no further than Mate Rimac, CEO of Rimac Bugatti, whose company has built the Croatian car industry from scratch and is now producing the fastest electric hypercar in the world, with a cool selling price of over $2 million per car.

Can there be a more stylish addition to the already exclusive Hvar main square? Starting today until August 10, there will be a pop-up Rimac Nevera showroom on the main square. Your chance to get close to the motor which has taken the global luxury car world by storm.

But the Rimac Nevera will not be the only thing popping in to Hvar, for the versatile Arsenal building will be opening its doors once more for its next exhibition, an artistic journey into the digital age, with the Pop in NFT exhibition.

Rather than try and wow you with my limited knowledge of NFT art, I refer you to this excellent overview below:

‘POP IN NFT’ Exhibition: A Captivating Journey Blending Art, Technology, and History

The Hvar Tourist Board and Municipality of Hvar proudly present ‘POP IN NFT’, a groundbreaking Art Exhibition brought to life by the NFT Art Alliance (NFTAA) and AnimusLive in collaboration with the Estate of Richard Bernstein. This remarkable showcase celebrates the convergence of contemporary art, cutting-edge technologies, and the revolutionary world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a mesmerising world of creativity and imagination.

Set within the historic walls of the medieval Hvar Arsenal, ‘POP IN NFT’ takes visitors on an enthralling journey from August 6th through September 5th, 2023. This transformative Exhibition offers an unprecedented exploration of the blurred boundaries between our physical reality and the ethereal realm of digital art.

NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are digital assets that utilise blockchain technology to certify uniqueness and ownership, which has revolutionising the art industry. Early adopters include Sotheby’s, Christies, and NewYork’s Museum of Modern Art. Through this innovative medium, ‘POP IN NFT’ offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with the artists’ innovative works in a digital landscape, bridging the gap between physical and virtual realities.

‘POP IN NFT’ offers an enchanting experience wherein the walls of the medieval Hvar Arsenal are transformed into a canvas, painted by light through mesmerizing projections. This integration of light and digital art creates an immersive environment that serves as a portal between the physical world and an artistic metaverse.

This transcendent installation takes visitors on a journey where intangible digital realms seamlessly merge with the layers of human history, embodied within the Arsenal’s walls. As the luminous projections dance and shift across the space, the boundaries between the physical and digital realms blur, inviting contemplation on the profound impact of technological advancements and NFTs on humanity.

By utilising light as the medium, the exhibition creates a dynamic and interactive experience for visitors. The projections breathe life into the historic space, evoking a sense of wonder and curiosity. The vibrant colors, patterns, and forms that illuminate the Arsenal’s walls not only showcase the visionary creations, but also serve as a visual metaphor for the metamorphic power of technology and NFTs.

Building upon the visionary legacy of Pop Art pioneer Richard Bernstein, ten contemporary artists have realised a collection that bridges the gap between tradition and innovation. Just as Bernstein revolutionised the art world with his integration of digital processes, these groundbreaking artists employ modern techniques to push the limits of artistic expression.

The works on display represent a diverse range of styles and themes, each artist offering a unique perspective on the intersection of art, technology, and NFTs. From Soheil Hosseinii’s vivid portraits of flower-bird subjects posing as fashionable celebrities to Arne Spangereid’s imaginative scenes juxtaposing aristocratic drawing rooms with contemporary pop culture disruptions, the exhibition promises a feast for the senses

Visitors will be riveted by Alessandra Manias’alternation between colorful abstraction and video game references, taking them on a joyful quest to higher consciousness. Leo Crane’s hand-painted animations depict exquisitely expressive nude subjects and images of transfiguration and escape, eliciting a sense of transformation and liberation.

Marjan Shariat’s portraits traverse the boundaries of figurative realism and dreamlike states, leaving viewers with an enigmatic and haunting impression. Nasim Pachi’s large-scale paintings, rich in aestheticism, challenge us to contemplate the concealed identities of her subjects, prompting a deeper exploration of cultural and social contexts.

Elham Shafaei’s evocative desaturated paintings reveal melancholic creatures displaced and transplanted into an alternate reality, subtly animated by a profound sense of loss. Stefano Favaretto employs scientific methods to visualise the unseen, revealing mesmerising manifestations of universal energy. Meanwhile, Gaia Riposati and Massimo Di Leo’s NuvolaProject employs AI and performance to remix historic paintings, connecting the contemporary impact of technology with humanity’s enduring legacy. Marco Veronese utilises such techniques to great effect to awaken the consciousness with strong symbolism and self-authored quotes.

The integration of the physical space with the metaverse – the collective virtual space where digital assets like NFTs exist – further enhances the exhibition’s immersive nature. It invites visitors to consider the interplay between these two realms, and how technology can bridge the gap between our physical reality and the boundless possibilities of the digital universe.

Visitors are encouraged to engage with the installations, allowing their senses to be stimulated, their imaginations to roam, their perceptions to expand. The interplay of light, technology, and history within the Hvar Arsenal provokes contemplation and invites visitors to ponder the profound implications of technological advancements on our understanding of ourselves, our relationship with the physical world, and the emerging digital landscapes we inhabit.

‘POPIN NFT’ Exhibition:
Date: August 6th – September 5th, 2023
Location: Hvar Arsenal, Hvar, Croatia

@Visithvarhr

@nftartalliance @stefanofavarettoofficial
@animuslive @richardbernsteinart @elishafaei @nuvolaproject @marjan.shariat @soheilhosseini1 @alessandramanias_art @marcoveronese @nasimpachi @leocrane77 @arnespangereid

Join us for an unforgettable experience as ‘POP IN NFT’ transports you to a realm where art, technology and NFTs intertwine, inspiring reflection and engagement. For more information, please visit www.nftartalliance.com/events-1. For additional curation, visit www.animuslive.com.