Gordon Berger has been a trailblazer at the intersection of art and blockchain, helping shape the digital landscape since 2011.
Born in Vancouver and trained at the Belgrade School of Design before moving to Central Saint Martins, he explores how social media, blockchain, and digital networks reshape artistic expression. While still in art school, he founded a blockchain mining company, recognizing its potential to transform digital ownership.
He has played a key role in advancing on-chain digital art, from delivering an early TEDx talk on NFTs and presenting an AI project to NASA in 2018 to pioneering early generative art on Ethereum and inscribing artwork on Bitcoin.
His recent project, “TIMESTAMPS,” launched under RuneArt and powered by OrdinalsBot, introduces a new format blending 1-of-1s with decentralized ownership. His first artwork, “Rune Ticker: TIMESTAMPS•GORDONBERGER•I” minted out in just two hours, making it the first artwork in this new format to sell out on Bitcoin. “TIMESTAMPS” brings together six acclaimed artists, each presenting a series of ten unique 1-of-1 works, redefining digital ownership while balancing accessibility and artistic integrity.
Every week, nft now’s Next Up showcases a new artist from our curated list of ascendant talents who have been making significant waves throughout web3. This week, our spotlight turns to Gordon Berger.
nft now: How did you first become interested/involved in digital art?
Gordon Berger: As a child, my first experience with a computer was through Windows Paint, and I was instantly captivated by the possibilities of digital expression. Over time, I began exploring how digital mediums could offer something unique, something traditional ones like paint or canvas couldn’t. From early on, I’ve focused on bridging the physical and digital worlds in my art, a theme that remains central to my work today.
How would you describe your art?
My career documents the journey of art evolving with algorithms, by merging novel mediums with the most ancient ones. Some concepts I feel most drawn to are network effects materiality and the concept of time.
As well as examining the use of blockchain as a medium and the role of human creativity in the age of AI. With a classical fine art background, I blend tradition with the impact of today’s cultural and technological shifts.
‘ T I M E S T A M P S | Bitcoin Pyramids ’
Monuments for a New Digital Age
ⴵ ⫘⫘⫘
⃤ ⫘⫘⫘ ₿
On-Chain 3D Pyramids
built live on Bitcoin one block at a time…pic.twitter.com/U7mItdr5Zt
— ⫘ ＧＢＡ ⫘ (@GordonBergerArt) January 21, 2025
What’s your process like? And where do you usually find inspiration?
Inspiration is deeply intuitive. It’s about listening to that inner voice and following the threads it leads me to, even if they take challenging turns. Sometimes, my explorations lead to dead ends, but more often, they bring discoveries that deepen my artwork. It’s about starting with an intention and letting curiosity guide me.
“It’s about starting with an intention and letting curiosity guide me.”
GORDON BERGER
What was your breakthrough moment in web3?
Although I’ve been helping shape the crypto art and NFT ecosystem since the beginning, giving the first TEDx talk on NFTs ever in 2018, I still feel my breakthrough moment is still ahead of me.
My current project RuneArt and its debut collection ‘TIMESTAMPS’ brings 6 artists, Andrea Chiampo, Auriea Harvey, Burst, Dr. Ivona Tau, Toomuchlag and myself to Bitcoin via a groundbreaking format of merging Ordinals + Runes (fungible tokens) tokenizing 1-of-1 artworks. A project that feels like the culmination of years of effort and innovation. I believe it has the potential to spark a new wave of engagement and adoption, just as those early experiments did.
I’m proud to share that some of the collection was acquired by FC Francisco Carolinum museum in Linz Austria, before the public launch – a huge honor and testimony to the depth of the artworks. Francisco Carolinum collecting these TIMESTAMPS, makes them the
the first prestigious contemporary art and photography house to own a Bitcoin Runes collection. A huge accolade for all the artists.
Ordinals + Runes = RuneArt
▣ + ◉
Distinct from editions and 1-of-1’s this is a new, 3rd format
Created by artists to decentralize their 1-of-1 artworks
Why?
➢ To generate networked art experiences
➢ Put Fine Art in the hands of many
➢ Redefine art collecting on… pic.twitter.com/cmODwMinzt
— RuneArt (@RuneArt_io) November 21, 2024
What are the biggest challenges facing rising artists in web3?
The first challenge is to make the time to educate yourself about the deeper capabilities of blockchain technology. Artists must deeply understand the tools and mediums of Web3 to create work that’s not just aesthetically pleasing but conceptually aligned with the potential of the technology. This takes time, experimentation, and persistence.
The second challenge is building an audience and network of supporters. Web3 makes digital art more discoverable and accessible, but rising above the noise requires consistent effort. Visibility, branding, and communication are crucial and often overlooked components of success. Many artists, including myself, have had to learn the hard way that it’s not enough to simply create; you also have to share your story in ways that resonate with the right audiences.
Thirdly, find technical partners that both respect and push the boundaries of your creative vision. There are so many faceless platforms that often come with strings attached, like exclusivity, hidden costs and technical limitations.
Fortunately I aligned early with one of the most influential teams building on Bitcoin OrdinalsBot. I’m grateful they’ve sprinted with us, not only co-creating a new RuneArt meta, a third way to inscribe, but also helped us create a platform to display artworks that use next-level features on Bitcoin such as: Recursion, Rare Sats, Parent/Child Provenance and on-chain code libraries. These elements make each piece dynamic and deeply rooted in Bitcoin’s ethos, important for the integrity of the art, and from initial feedback, appreciated by early Ordinals and Runes collectors.
“Your art may be great, but without a clear narrative, it risks being overshadowed in such a fast-moving space. Share your process, your vision, and your story consistently and accessibly.”
GORDON BERGER
What advice do you have for rising artists in this space?
First, dedicate yourself to creating work that is deeply authentic and meaningful. Don’t rush; let your ideas mature and conceptually align with the possibilities of these novel mediums and distribution systems.
Second, focus on context and communication. Your art may be great, but without a clear narrative, it risks being overshadowed in such a fast-moving space. Share your process, your vision, and your story consistently and accessibly.
Thirdly, connect with the right people. Building genuine relationships with collectors, curators, and fellow artists can amplify your work’s reach. Remember, creating impactful art is only part of the journey, how you position and communicate that art determines how it will be received. We live in a hyper networked age so consider how this could amplify the impact of your creations. And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Bitcoin has the potential to welcome a new era of art participation on Bitcoin. Remember when you start, get overwhelmed or hit a stumbling block, you’re still very early. The most important thing is you’re here, learning, and enjoy experimenting. If you ever need a sounding board, my channels are open on X and Instagram.
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