Trevor Paglen, *PRELUDES #111,* audio-visual generative NFT, 2022.
© Trevor Paglen. Courtesy Pace Verso and Art Blocks.

Writer: Max Wiener

Copy Editor: Robyn Hager

Photo Editor: Haley Winchell

In the modern age, everything is being redefined by technology, from cars to computers and everything in between. Recently, NFTs and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) have entirely rewritten the rules appreciating fine art while simultaneously reformulating the process of creating it.

American artist Trevor Paglen is no stranger to this new phenomenon. His previous work has challenged us to look deeper; he wants us to create our own experiences. His latest collection, PRELUDES, fully embraces our new technological world. The series was released through Pace Gallery on April 5.

Paglen’s work has always been on the cutting edge, but PRELUDES sets a new precedent for what’s to come. Many artists - and people - are wary of AI and NFTs; they’d rather have something concrete in front of them. While this is completely acceptable, it’s hindering your mind from the endless possibilities right before us. NFTs aren’t just pictures of apes that the so-called “finance bros” peddle for ludicrous sums of money. Paglen proves this term has an all-encompassing meaning that stretches far beyond the public’s perception.

Trevor Paglen, *PRELUDES*, *Mint #0* of 250 unique NFTs.
© Trevor Paglen. Courtesy Pace Verso and Art Blocks.

Paglen very clearly uses this new technology to his advantage in PRELUDES. His work, although electronic, is stunning and has a tremendous amount of depth to it. The piece entitled PRELUDES, Mint #0, is a genuinely fascinating piece of art and requires multiple glances to even come up with half an interpretation. At first glance, it looks like a military radar image of an incoming drone strike, invoking harsh and brash elements; its black and white color scheme adds to this thematic element. The work has a delicate implementation of space and a technological brush stroke that adds to its intimacy, almost showing us that it was made by the human hand. Paglen has a tremendous touch, and it can be seen far beyond the confines of a computer screen.

As if his new collection couldn’t be any more modern, each NFT has a musical accompaniment, adding emotion and intensity to each piece. Listening to music when looking at art can act as an adrenaline shot of emotion to the piece, syncing up the tones of the song with the themes of the work. The music, or “sounds,” are inspired by the work of John Cage and Iannis Xenakis, pioneers of algorithmically generated music, and composers Michael Haydn, Johannes Brahms, and Olivier Messiaen, who developed systems for encoding messages into their music. It’s almost as if they are playing into the cliché, “You feel as though the piece was made just for you.” Rarely does such a universal medium have such an interestingly personal feel. Paglen is changing how art is viewed and appreciated one fascinating NFT (and score) at a time.