NFT art has exploded in popularity, but it faces an uncertain future on Wikipedia.
The poll stemmed from discussions aboutWikipedias listof the most expensive artworks by living artists,Cointelegraph reports.
The editors debated whether NFTs such as Murat Paks $91.8MThe Mergeand Beeples $69MEverydaysshould join the list.
A majority of editors have voted against their inclusion.
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Duncan Cock Foster, the cofounder of NFT marketplace Nifty Gateway, described the situation as an art emergency.
He warned that Wikipedias decision could deprive digital artists of their legitimacy:
Wikipedia works off of precedent.
Wikipedia is the global source of truth for many around the world.
The stakes couldnt be higher!
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Wikipedia is a global source of truth.
Having NFTs categorized as not art would be a disaster!
While digital artistsview NFTsas a medium for making and selling art, criticsdescribe themas merelyfinancial instruments.
TheWikipedia editors agreed that Beeple and Pak are artists.
However, some argued that buyingan NFT of an artworkisnt the same as buying the artwork itself.
Another issue for Wikipedia involves the mechanisms of selling NFTs.
One editor said the sales of NFTs arent similar enough to other artwork sales to belong on the list.
As evidence, they pointed to doubts aboutthe record sale of PaksThe Merge.
This is a primary source: it is not sufficient to qualify the item for inclusion.
Thats not likely to impress Nifty Gateway, although it does leave the door open for a potential inclusion.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
