The Interview I Art Collector Niwin

“I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste.” —Marcel Duchamp

In our series of interviews with digital art collectors, Kate Vass explores the motivations shaping today's digital art scene. This time, we talk with Niwin, a collector whose style resonates with Duchamp’s commitment to experimentation and challenging norms. Duchamp believed in questioning what art could be and supported ideas that broke with tradition. For Niwin, collecting is more than just ownership; it’s about encouraging innovation and supporting artists who push the boundaries of technology and creativity. By embracing works that defy conventional standards, Niwin embodies Duchamp’s ethos.

In this conversation, he shares how the fusion of art and technology captivates him, and why fostering innovation and challenging conventions is central to his collection. We hope you find his insights as inspiring as we did.

Dmitri Cherniak, Ringers #333, 2021

KV: In 2017, you mentioned a pivotal encounter with Ledger. What was your role or connection with Ledger at the time, and how did it shape your entry into the world of cryptocurrencies and NFTs?

N: In 2017, I was working in the tech industry, developing hardware storage products, when I had the opportunity to meet Eric Larchevêque and Joel Pobeda from Ledger. They introduced me to their groundbreaking device for securely storing digital currency. I immediately understood that blockchain was nothing short of revolutionary, a new technological paradigm that would reshape the future of finance and ownership. This encounter ignited my fascination with cryptocurrencies and led me on a path to explore the potential of NFTs, where digital art and technology merge in ways previously unimaginable.

Andreas Gysin, LCD 1 #11/32, 2022

KV: What sparked your journey into the world of generative art? Did you start as a collector, or did your role as a collaborator come first? How have these practices influenced each other?

N: My entry into generative art came after a period of deep immersion in the blockchain world. I had spent three years mining, trading, and investing, and in 2020, I purchased my first NFT on Rarible. Shortly after, I acquired a Cryptopunk, and then several more—instinctively believing this project and community was iconic and would stand the test of time.

It was during a call with Nahiko that I fully grasped the magic of generative art. The idea that art could be algorithmically generated, evolving autonomously yet bound by the constraints of code, felt revolutionary. Although I wasn’t creating the artworks myself, I quickly took on the role of a collaborator, helping artists navigate the then-unknown world of platforms like Artblocks. These two aspects—collecting and collaborating—enhanced each other, as my understanding of the creative and technical processes deepened, and my appreciation for each work grew more personal and emotional.

DEAFBEEF, Series 1 Angular - Token 129, 2021

KV: Many pieces in your collection feature a red and black theme. What personal significance do these colors hold, and how do they guide your choices?

N: Red and black have always held a deep significance for me. Red represents energy, passion, and the relentless drive to push boundaries—qualities that reflect my approach to both technology and art. Black, on the other hand, symbolizes depth, mystery, and the infinite potential of the blockchain and digital art realms. Together, they evoke a sense of intensity and boldness that resonates with the pioneering and disruptive spirit I love.

HACKATAO & Insight, Aleph-0 #382, 2023

KV: What criteria do you prioritize when selecting pieces for your collection—do you lean toward aesthetics, the artist’s vision, or something else?

N: Aesthetics, while important, are just the surface of what I look for in a piece. I’m drawn to works that carry an emotional weight, pieces with a strong vision behind them, where the artist is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through technology. I seek out creators who are exploring uncharted tech territories, particularly in generative art, where the fusion of code and creativity brings entirely new dimensions to life.

Equally important is my connection with the artist. Understanding their process, their motivations, and their journey adds immense depth to the works I collect. I’m fascinated by how technology—particularly blockchain—enables artists to stretch their imagination in ways that were impossible before. This cultural and technological impact is often what sets a piece apart for me. It’s about supporting innovation, artistic bravery, and the intersection of creativity and technology, where new forms of expression are constantly being born.

Matt DesLauriers, Meridian #815, 2021

KV: As both a collaborator and collector, how does your experience in helping artists inform your approach to collecting? Do your insights shape your choices?

As a collaborator, I’ve had the privilege of guiding artists into the NFT space, particularly in the early days when platforms like Artblocks were still unknown to most. This experience gave me a front-row seat to the complexities of the creative process, understanding how generative art comes to life through algorithms and how blockchain adds layers of permanence, scarcity, and provenance.

This deeper understanding of the process informs how I collect. I look for pieces that reflect the same technical precision, bold innovation, and emotional resonance that I value in my collaborations. It’s not just about owning a piece; it’s about connecting with the artwork and its creator on a much deeper level. My role as a collaborator has sharpened my eye for detail, and my appreciation for how art and technology come together influences every decision I make as a collector.

Snowfro, Chromie Squiggle #446, 2021

KV: What’s been your most rewarding collaboration with Artblocks? How did your relationship with them evolve?

N: The most rewarding collaboration is with the brilliant Italian quantum scientists led by Salvatore Savasta (@insighbart) on a project that used quantum science formulas to render artistic representations of particles. While helping them shape the project for Artblocks, I also contributed with creative ideas. This project is a true fusion of art, science, and technology—a perfect example of how the blockchain can democratize complex concepts like quantum physics through the medium of generative art. The project even gained recognition at a TEDx talk in Italy, such a thrilling moment.

My relationship with Artblocks began through my friendship with Snowfro, the platform’s visionary creator. We’ve remained close, and being part of the early days of Artblocks was an incredible experience. Collaborating with the generative artist ge1doot, we brought three projects to life, including Ignition, which became Project #9 in the founding series of Artblocks. The thrill of launching such groundbreaking work is something I’ll never forget.

Insigħt, Quantum Collapses #59, 2022

KV: Science seems to be a recurring theme in your projects. How does your interest in science influence both your creations and your approach to collecting?

N: I’ve been fascinated by science from a very early age, it has always felt like the ultimate exploration of the unknown. I got my first computer at age six, and it opened new worlds for me, expanding my curiosity and imagination. Science, for me, is deeply intertwined with creativity. It represents both structure and chaos, logic and wonder, and this duality is what excites me in both art and technology.

In my collaborations and my collecting, I’m drawn to projects that blend science with art, where the precision of algorithms meets the unpredictability of creativity. I seek out art that challenges the boundaries of what we know, whether through scientific principles, generative algorithms, or technological innovations.

ge1doot, Ignition #414, 2021

KV: You’re often involved with projects that incorporate cutting-edge technology. Are there any recent tech developments that have particularly excited you or that you think could impact the art world?

N: I’m particularly excited by dynamic and interactive NFTs, which incorporate real-time data from the blockchain to create artworks that evolve and respond to external inputs. This dynamic approach brings a new level of interactivity and unpredictability.

The use of AI in art is another area that fascinates me. AI-generated art can feel like the realization of dreams, creating imaginative, surreal visuals that push the boundaries of creativity. We’re witnessing a transformation where machines are becoming part of the creative process, generating art that feels deeply personal and expressive.

Also artists like Sougwen Chung or Pindar Van Arman, who are pioneering the collaboration with robots in this space, excite me deeply.

Autonomous artistry is perhaps the most thrilling frontier: robots that can create and publish their own work, potentially reaching a point of singularity where they act independently of human creators.

Refik Anadol, MACHINE HALLUCINATIONS - MARS LANDSCAPES - Collector's Edition #13/30, 2020

KV: How do you live with digital art on a daily basis? Do you prefer physical displays or virtual platforms for showcasing your collection?

I enjoy both physical and virtual platforms for showcasing my collection.
In terms of physical displays, I love integrating digital art into my daily environment through mediums like sculptures, prints, or embroidery. I also collaborate with an embroiderer in France, to bring digital art into the physical world and currently looking for artists that have interest in that medium.

At the same time, virtual platforms are indispensable for experiencing the full range of what digital art can offer. The scale, fluidity, and interactivity of virtual environments allow digital art to live in its native form, where it can continually evolve and be experienced from new perspectives. Both physical and virtual spaces have their place in how I engage with art on a daily basis, but I find the interplay between them particularly exciting !

Hermine Bourdin, Christine, 2021

KV: Where do you see the NFT art space heading in the next five years? Do you expect continued evolution, or are there trends you think might fade?

N: In the next five years, I see the NFT space continuing to evolve, with dynamic and interactive NFTs that integrate real-time data, constantly transforming and reacting to the world around them. AI-driven art will also gain prominence, pushing the boundaries of imagination and technical sophistication, creating dream-like landscapes that feel almost ethereal.

Autonomous artistry—where robots collaborate, create, publish, and perhaps even sell their own work—could revolutionize the art world, pushing us closer to a singularity in creative expression.

100% on-chain art will continue gaining significance, offering permanence, provenance, and ownership in ways that no other medium can. And while the noise surrounding multiple blockchains and Layer 2 solutions will likely continue, I expect Layer 1 chains to remain dominant for high-value, grail-level works, ensuring the security and longevity of these pieces.

Vera Molnár & Martin Grasser, Themes and Variations #63, 2023

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*The responses provided in this interview have been preserved in their original form, with no alterations to the interviewee's stylistic choices or grammar. - Kate Vass

Niwin on X: @NiwinEth

Collection:

https://opensea.io/Niwin_Vault

https://opensea.io/Niwin

https://objkt.com/@niwin/owned