Maschine

Mercedes-Benz NFT Collection

Maschine is the inaugural core NFT collection by Mercedes-Benz. It was made in collaboration with the esteemed artist Harm van den Dorpel and Fingerprints DAO, a prestigious group of art collectors.

The collection delves into the themes of motion, velocity, and perception through generative art. Comprising 1,000 unique artworks, each piece captivates with a mesmerizing radial pattern of intricate and ever-changing illusions. Inspired by the wagon-wheel effect, where spinning and accelerating objects create a visual contrast to their true speed and direction, these artworks offer a captivating exploration of optical phenomena.

Harm van den Dorpel played a pivotal role in the creation process, leveraging his expertise in AI-based art. For the first time, he utilized a custom neural network to identify and select generated outputs in accordance with his artistic preferences. Additionally, this marked his debut in the realm of fully realized 3D artwork.

The collaboration with Mercedes-Benz extended beyond the artist alone. The Mercedes-Benz Design team, led by Gorden Wagener, the chief design officer since 2016, actively participated in shaping the concept and coordinating creative directions. This seamless synergy reflects Mercedes-Benz's long-standing tradition of engaging with the arts and embracing co-creation, both within their design department and in collaboration with external artists.

Who is the artist behind Mercedes-Benz NFT Collection?

The artist behind the Mercedes-Benz NFT Collection is Harm Van den Dorpel. Recognized as an early explorer of Web3, he co-founded the blockchain-based art marketplace left.gallery. Notably, in 2015, he achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first artist to sell an artwork as an NFT purchased by a museum using cryptocurrency (MAK Vienna Museum). His most recent solo exhibition, Mutant Garden, was held at Upstream Gallery in 2021.

Why is Mercedes-Benz offering NFTs and digital art?

Mercedes-Benz's foray into NFTs and digital art serves multiple purposes. It allows them to embrace new strategic dimensions of digital brand and business development, forging connections and offering unique experiences to new customer groups. By venturing into the Web3 space and establishing a presence in the NFT market, Mercedes-Benz further solidifies its commitment to creating iconic luxury.

What are the benefits to owning a Mercedes NFT?

When it comes to the benefits of owning a Mercedes NFT, Mercedes-Benz emphasizes that these digital objects are primarily intended as art and collectibles. They should be acquired and cherished for the sheer enjoyment of collecting, rather than with the expectation of future benefits.