NFTs Open New Revenue Streams for Performance Artists
NFTs have revolutionized the way digital artists can monetize their creations by introducing a sense of scarcity in the market. However, this innovation isn’t just limited to digital art; it can also significantly benefit other artistic domains, according to the performance art duo Operator, who shared insights with Decrypt. Ania Catherine, one half of the duo along with collaborator Dejha Ti, noted that performance artists face challenges similar to those of digital artists. Before NFTs emerged, she explained, “Digital artists often found themselves relegated to a service role, working for advertising agencies, film studios, or the entertainment sector, creating art on the side.”
The Unique Challenges of Performance Art
Catherine pointed out that performance artists are confronted with even greater obstacles due to the transient nature of their work. “Performance art involves costly elements like physical presence, time, space, and the participation of others, yet ultimately, there’s little to sell,” she remarked. This limitation has historically forced many performance artists to resort to gig work such as appearing in commercials, teaching dance, or touring with musicians to sustain their livelihoods.
Revolutionizing Artistic Ownership with NFTs
The introduction of NFTs has the potential to transform the landscape by allowing performance artists to create enduring collectible pieces. “Imagine if individuals could own movement as an artistic object,” she said. This shift not only redefines what art can be but also fosters a new kind of patronage for artists who use movement as a genuine form of self-expression rather than purely for entertainment purposes. “What infrastructure can we establish to ensure that this can be monetized?” she asked.
Operator’s Innovative Artwork “Human Unreadable”
Operator has put this concept into practice with their project “Human Unreadable,” an intricate three-act performance that marries choreography, generative art, blockchain technology, and cryptography, culminating in a live show set for late 2026. Catherine expressed that their initial exploration into crypto art revealed a noticeable absence of the human form. “We could scroll through numerous pages on various platforms without encountering representations of the human body,” she shared.
Highlighting the Human Element in Digital Art
Consequently, “Human Unreadable” places the human figure at the heart of its artistic vision, with each of the 400 pieces in the collection symbolizing a unique dance sequence generated by an algorithm. This work draws upon the rich history of computational choreography, which dates back to the first digital art exhibitions at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in 1967, Catherine explained.
Overcoming Blockchain Challenges
The process of storing data related to human movement on the Ethereum blockchain came with its own challenges. Catherine admitted, “We felt somewhat out of place using blockchain and Art Blocks in this manner,” yet they remained determined despite the obstacles posed by a technology not initially designed for representing the human body and dance. The outcome of their efforts is a project that not only explores but also questions the technology behind generative art. “Just as some artworks can be site-specific to a physical location, ‘Human Unreadable’ is specific to the realm of long-form, on-chain generative art.”
Acknowledging Achievements in Digital Art
The hard work of Operator has been recognized, as “Human Unreadable” recently won the Experiential Award at the Digital Art Awards. This accolade adds to their collection of honors, which includes two Lumen Prizes, a S+T+ARTS Prize, and an ADC Award—“though these are technically design awards,” Catherine clarified, “we received them for our contributions to experiential design and related fields.”
Artistry Beyond Market Trends
Despite the NFT art market experiencing significant downturns, with trading volumes plummeting from a peak of $2.9 billion in 2021 to a mere $23.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, artists remain eager to explore the potential of the underlying technology, Catherine remarked. “Artists are not motivated by market trends,” she explained, “They create out of curiosity, questions, or an overwhelming urge to express something.” While it remains crucial for artists to receive compensation for their contributions, she emphasized that their creative pursuits often transcend monetary concerns. “Most artists continue to create regardless of market conditions,” she concluded. “Art will always find a way.”
