B-OWND, a platform for arts and crafts provided by Tanseisha, will be unveiling a prototype of a real certificate equipped with an IC tag to be attached to artworks at the solo exhibition "Anti Wabi-Sabi - Creativity Cannot Be Restrained" by ceramic artist Takahiro Koga, which opens on June 18th.
The newly announced Real Certificate has the function of allowing users to view the story leading up to the creation of a work, and was newly developed in collaboration with "Cert.", an IC-tagged blockchain certificate provided by Startbahn Inc. *. By holding a smartphone over the Real Certificate that comes with the purchased work, users will be able to view the before story of the work's creation through photos, audio, text, video, and more, in addition to the after story (history information) of the work after its completion that is recorded in the conventional blockchain certificate "Cert."
The real certificate creates a consistent story surrounding the work as an appreciation experience, visualizing the added value of the work. In addition, in an art world where the background of the work is important, it provides the information necessary to deepen understanding of the work, which is expected to further increase the value of the work.
B-OWND will continue to promote initiatives that combine digital technology with art and crafts, and aims to contribute to the spread of art and the expansion of the art market in Japan by creating opportunities to learn more about and enjoy works of art. Furthermore, in Tanseisha's business of "space creation," we will continue to create experiences that utilize the characteristics of NFTs, and will challenge ourselves to create new spatial value that connects artists and buyers.
*Startbahn Inc.: Founded in 2014. The company is building the blockchain infrastructure "Startrail" to guarantee the authenticity and reliability of artworks around the world, and in turn support the inheritance of value. The company also provides the blockchain certificate issuing service "Startbahn Cert." as an easy-to-use interface for information on Startrail.
Image of the process of adding value in the arts and crafts distribution market
Background and details of the initiative
Since the launch of its service in 2019, B-OWND has been working with Startbahn Inc., which is working to build a decentralized infrastructure called "Startrail" that all art-related stakeholders can connect to, to issue digital certificates using blockchain, ensuring the reliability and authenticity of artworks and supporting the inheritance of value. In addition, to support the art market, where the authenticity of artworks, value creation through the mutual influence of the new and used markets, and past transactions and usage history are important, blockchain has been used to accurately record the provenance information of artworks since their completion, making it possible to buy and sell artworks through e-commerce.
Many art and craft works take many years to complete, and it has been very difficult to understand the background of the work just by looking at it. The Real Certificates issued this time have an embedded IC tag, and by holding a smartphone over the Real Certificate a dedicated viewer opens, and in addition to information about the work such as artist information, history and individual terms and conditions, the creation process of the work, which is created using Japanese craft techniques, and a record of the artist's thoughts about the work, as well as other stories and content essential to a deeper understanding of the work can be accessed through photos, audio, text and video. Providing an opportunity to learn about the background of the work will lead to a new appreciation experience.
Left: Real certificate with IC tag, Right: Image displayed on smartphone
This time, the work of Takahiro Koga, who will actually be issuing the real certificate, is "Chikyoroi Cup Tiger Shape Gold Studs" and "NEO MANEKINEKO" (photographed by Yuji Kimura).
Planning and Development Center Business Development Division
Comment from B-OWND Producer Ken Ishigami
Since 2019, we have been working on the B-OWND platform, which combines art and craft with blockchain. Over the past two years, we have been visualizing provenance information through the issuance of digital certificates, but with this new service of real certificates, it will be possible to easily view the artist's creative process and thoughts. We will do our best to provide a clue to solving the major issue in the craft market, where there is an urgent need to increase the added value of works.
Summary of ceramic artist Takahiro Koga's solo exhibition "Anti Wabi-Sabi - Creativity Cannot Be Restrained"
期間：2021年6月18日（金）～2021年6月23日（水）12:00～20:00 ※会期中無休
一般公開日：6月20日（日）～6月23日（水）12:00-20:00
会場：or | RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK（〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前6丁目20-10 North）
主催：or
イベントに関するお問い合わせ：or （info@ortokyo.com）
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About "B-OWND"
Launched in May 2019, B-OWND is an online marketplace that sells craft works as art that expresses Japanese beauty. By carefully introducing artists and their works, the platform aims to be a place that connects artists and buyers. In addition, B-OWND allows you to purchase works that come with a blockchain-based digital certificate of authenticity. The fact that you have purchased a work is recorded semi-permanently, and each person's aesthetic sense is engraved in the history of art and crafts.
<Service Features>
(1) Online Market
This is an online market where you can purchase craft works as art that are symbols of Japanese beauty and technique. We sell a wide variety of works from up-and-coming young artists to world-renowned artists.
(2) Digital Certificates
By issuing a digital certificate of authenticity via blockchain for each work, not only will authenticity and reliability be guaranteed, but the act of purchasing will also be recorded in history. In addition, we will promote a "rebate model" that allows artists to take a portion of the transaction fee (optional) during secondary distribution. System Development in collaboration with Startbahn Co., Ltd.
(3) Online Media
In order to promote Japanese contemporary crafts as art, we mainly introduce artists and the concepts of their works. In addition to introducing materials and techniques unique to crafts, we also focus on how cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and AI will affect art and crafts, and explore the value of contemporary crafts.
(4) Collaboration with the space
By combining Tanseisha's spatial creation know-how with B-OWND's services, we can provide a special space for everyone who visits, from proposing to incorporate art into spaces such as hotels, lounges, and offices to branding.
Related information
Related Links
B-OWND, an online marketplace that sells craft works as art: https://www.b-ownd.com/
Please note that this may be subject to change without prior notice.