The world-renowned pedestrian hub, Shibuya Crossing, in Tokyo is all set to transform into an innovative digital art showcase. This metamorphosis is the result of a unique collaboration between the social marketplace HUG and the pioneering non-fungible token (NFT) collector, Cozomo de’ Medici, speculated to be Snoop Dogg.
A Platform for Esteemed Artists
On September 6, HUG announced its partnership with the Cozomo de’ Medici Collection. An invitation was extended to artists worldwide, offering them a golden opportunity to present their art alongside six illustrious pieces from The Medici Collection. These include works by celebrated artists such as Claire Silver, XCOPY, Sam Spratt, Dawnia Darkstone, Beeple, and Grant Yun.
Between September 25 and 27, the public will have the unique opportunity to participate in a community voting process. This will help shortlist 50 artworks. The final six, chosen by Cozomo de’ Medici, will illuminate the eight digital billboards of Shibuya Crossing from October 9 to 15. With an estimated 2.5 million people crossing Shibuya daily, this event promises immense exposure for the chosen digital artists. The submission window on HUG’s website is open from September 6 to 24 for those who wish to have their work shine in Tokyo.
HUG: A Digital Hub for Artists
Founded in 2022 by Randi Zuckerberg, HUG serves as a digital hub for over 4,000 artists from 85 countries. Central to its operation is a community-driven curation process that highlights diverse and often underrepresented creators. HUG’s trajectory took a significant turn upwards in April when a consortium of investors, including Web3 investment fund DIGITAL, OKX Ventures, and L’Oréal’s BOLD venture fund, invested $5 million in seed funding into HUG.
Empowering the Digital Art Community
According to Randi Zuckerberg, “HUG’s mission is to help every single artist become an entrepreneur and make a living off their art.” The partnership with a digital art luminary like Cozomo de’ Medici, according to Zuckerberg, is a testament to their commitment to providing digital artists with unparalleled visibility and appreciation.
As monumental as this display is, HUG has no intentions of slowing down. The company plans to create the world’s first community-curated store, dedicated to selling physical prints and digital treasures. For those who are interested in the digital art market and want to keep track of events like the Shibuya Crossing digital art display, the cryptoview.io application could be a handy tool.
