Rare AF3 Goes Virtual

Scheduled to be held in the middle of the pandemic, Rare Art Festival (RareAF) transitioned to a fully virtual experience, VRAF. The festival showcased a diverse range of art forms within platforms like Cryptovoxels. With over 50 live-streamed presentations, including by Kate Vass and Fanny Lakoubay, and numerous exhibits, VRAF did a noble job of carrying on through challenging times. The challenge was not only the pandemic. A huge issue for the still growing ecosystem, extending well into 2020, was a tepid secondary market. Growing the space was of prime concern in days that must have felt quite bleak, despite a recovery in the crypto markets following a catastrophic March 2020 crash. The event reminds us of the resiliency and determination necessary to survive in this space, as in one year the mood would be quite the opposite. At least two large catalysts for growth unexpectedly appeared later in 2020: October’s launch of NBA Top Shot and November’s Art Blocks. The stage was set for one of the wildest and unexpected years in this story: 2021.