This post is from a series of deeper dives into the work of artists contributing to #TezQuakeAid. For more information on how you can support the relief efforts, click here.
Introduction
Zaki Jawhari, also known as URBANDRONE, is a Greek 3D artist, architect, and researcher. His work attempts to examine the limits of our perception as it pertains to the melding of the physical and virtual worlds, using experimental approaches to explore these complex spaces. He began his artistic journey performing live at electronic music festivals where he facilitated bespoke digital experiences.
A\terhen's _Architecture in Motion_ Exhibition
URBANDRONE participated in an early exhibition that took place on Tezos, titled "a\terHEN".
"We believe the potential of NFTs is profound for the cultural economy. It is also here to stay. a\terHEN aims to experiment with alternative models for this new world, and to empower artists in a sustainable system that benefits all. The new art space is an open market, of quality, accessible to all and affordable. The concept of NFT’s, that of enabling digital artworks to be owned and shared, has created a transformatively new and vibrant space that allows art lovers who may have had no previous connection with the art market to participate. By embracing its full potential, cultural actors can benefit from a new and attractive market to generate new sources of revenues."
The thesis behind this collective exhibition was very much in line with the original manifesto of Hic et Nunc. As for URBANDRONE's part of the exhibition, he eloquently stated:
"Architecture in Motion is a series of experiments around the notion of hybrid space. A questioning of the world we are experiencing here and now. The construction of a digital landscape fed by a multitude of data organized and processed by the machine according to a series of simple and repetitive rules. This procedural approach generates spaces and abstract architectures, the start of a new digital exploration."
#TezQuakeAid
Speaking with URBANDRONE about #TezQuakeAid:
"Rupture is a work dedicated to the victims of the earthquake, a way for me to express my grief and my sadness about this disaster. It is an unprecedented disaster, the infrastructure of a whole part of the country is destroyed, not to mention the loss of human life and the people who are homeless. It is absolutely necessary to help them get up and rebuild. It is the least we can do and blockchain and nft allow us to act immediately, why deprive ourselves of it?
I would like to reiterate my deepest condolences to the Turkish and Syrian people. I hope this will help. I have full confidence in the team in place and I thank them for the immense work done day and night."
He created 20 editions of Rupture, and listed at a price of 10 XTZ, all of which were sold out with 100% of the proceeds going to the fundraiser. We would like to thank URBANDRONE for his contributions to the relief efforts.