Art on the chain? On the possibilities of new media art preservation on the Web3

Abstract

The absence of clear protocols in the conservation of new media art has led to a situation of extreme precariousness of digital artworks. The irruption of blockchain culture and NFTs seems to offer an opportunity to overcome this situation. This paper aims to clarify whether or not the structure of data and metadata associated with transactions in the blockchain solves the challenging obsolescent and unstable condition of new media art. The disturbing reality is that the so-called ‘cryptoart’ is not always stored and encapsulated on the blockchain itself. In a high number of cases, assets just point to artworks living outside, stored on off-chain servers or platforms. This paper analyzes the possibilities for the preservation of art hosted on the chain. Despite some limitations, this method is understood as the more coherent and robust for long-term life and availability of digital art associated with Web3 technology.