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Porsche China hosts its first "Art Salon" creative event with a focus on NFTsExploring fresh possibilities in the arts
The “Porsche Art Salon” is a creative art IP event jointly initiated by Porsche & ART021 to unearth and discuss the most pressing issues and inspiring concepts in the contemporary art world. The first “Art Salon” focuses on the cutting-edge art concept of NFTs (Non-fungible Tokens), exploring their value and significance in the art world and at the corporate level.
The theme of the 2020-2021 Porsche “Young Chinese Artist of the Year” nomination exhibition was also announced at the “Porsche Art Salon”. The 12 selected artists will theme their work around “Spectacles”, utilising a wide variety of artistic mediums through which to showcase their insights and emotions around this concept.
Three unique Porsche 911s, created by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur are on display in the “Art Salon”, interpreting Porsche's artistic style with absolute "one-of-a-kind" attributes.
Shanghai/Chengdu.On 8 October, the first “Porsche Art Salon” was successfully held in Chengdu. Artists, collectors, founders of art institutions, senior media professionals and other guests gathered in the salon located between Kuan and Zhai Lane to engage in an in-depth art dialogue, discussing multi-dimensional art-related issues from different perspectives, including the connection between Porsche and the art world.
The “Porsche Art Salon” is an annual art circle gathering and a creative art IP event jointly initiated by Porsche and ART021 to unearth and discuss the most pressing issues and inspiring concepts in the contemporary art world. At the salon, Ms. Jojo Tang, Vice President Public Relations and Press of Porsche China, shared her thoughts on the initiation of the “Art Salon”: “We wanted to create a platform with a relaxed, living room-like atmosphere, where pioneers in the arts and other fields gather together to talk about the latest art trends while immersed in an artistic environment. Living in a world of big data, we need the power of sensibility more than ever.”
The first ever “Porsche Art Salon” event focuses on the cutting-edge concept of NFTs (Non-fungible Tokens) and explores their implications and impact from both an artistic and corporate perspective. Ms. Janice Tsang, Senior Manager Innovation of Corporate Strategy & Development of Porsche China, shared her opinions on NFTs about their unique and exclusive attributes. “Previously, we didn’t see digital art works as being impacted by scarcity in any way, as they can be easily and perfectly copied yet never purchased outright, or considered in any way unique. However, the blockchain has made scarcity of digital artworks possible, and opened up a world of possibilities for artists who are skilled in digital tools."
Inheriting the pioneering spirit and breaking into new realms
Back in August this year, Porsche already completed an NFT pilot project. An exclusive design sketch,offered as a digital and physical asset, was auctioned off as an NFT for a value of around 90,000 US dollars, with all proceeds eventually going to the non-profit organisation Viva con Agua. The sketch, by Peter Varga, Director Exterior Design, combines the Taycan Cross Turismo with the 911, linking the design language of our iconic sports car with that of the youngest member of the model range. Porsche entered this emerging realm with a unique expression and artistic interpretation of old and new, demonstrating the brand’s pioneering spirit.
Porsche's exploration of NFTs is not a shallow one. Porsche Ventures has invested in the leading domestic integrated service provider of virtual humans and digital assets, iMaker, to broaden its digital layout of new technologies. Dr.-Ing. Jens Puttfarcken, President and CEO of Porsche China also shared more on Porsche's investment and future plans: “For our next step, perhaps Porsche could play a more membership/community building role, creating bridges between people with a common interest in NFTs, no matter whether they are artists, collectors, or simply car owners.” For a sports car manufacturer brand with more than 70 years history like Porsche, a great chassis is just as important as speed. While exploring the NFT concept and its value, Porsche is committed to contributing to the operation and regulation of NFTs, their health and stability, and ensuring that the rights of all parties are effectively protected.
Empowering the youth to ignite the fires of inspiration
For ten of the twenty years that Porsche has been in the Chinese mainland, the sports car manufacturer has been deeply associated with the Chinese art scene, supported its development and nurtured young Chinese artists. 12 young artists have been nominated for the 2020-2021 Porsche “Young Chinese Artist of the Year”. Ms. Kylie Ying, Co-founder of the ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair and JINGART, also the co-founder of the “Porsche Art Salon”, officially announced the theme of the nomination exhibition – “Spectacles”. This November, the twelve nominated young artists will present their themed new artworks at ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair in diverse art forms to show their unique perspectives, delicate emotions, and express their profound insights into this theme.
In support of young artists, the first “Porsche Art Salon” also features art works by the nominees for the biennial Porsche 2020-2021 “Young Chinese Artist of the Year”, such as “Yangtze River No.1, No.2 Bridges” by Xie Qi, and “Living Distance" by Liu Xin. The artists' works, with their strong personal style and artistic tension, perfectly illustrate the meaning of the “Art Salon”: a gathering that illuminates inspiration. The gathering and exchange of artworks and artists is in itself a performance art in the space, and the clash of ideas gives this time a more literary atmosphere and a richer emotion.
Unique creations inspired by dreams
In addition to the artworks, three Porsche 911 – customised by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur – are also on display at the “Art Salon”. The 911 Carrera Cabriolet, entitled “Elevated elegance", comes customised with the Paldao Dark Openporous Interior Package, exuding an air of understated elegance. The 911 Targa 4 with Night Blue Metallic exterior, named “Captivating mystic”, showcases its enigmatic character through its body colour, while the interior's graphite blue leather, stitching and seat-centre leather in contrasting colours emphasises a lesser-known, unabashed personality. The 911 Carrera S on display, known as “Compellingly bold”, features extensive use of carbon, with the strong contrast between black and white highlighting the model line’s innate racetrack DNA. The three 911s have been given bespoke personalities, perfectly illustrating the artistic scope of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur takes customers as its source of inspiration and infuses them with passion. A wide range of experts bring their dedication and expertise to the vehicle to bring the customer’s creativity and personality to life, creating a bespoke Porsche sports car. With over 10 million combinations of options available, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is dedicated to making each customer's car a unique work of art.
Whether it is the three distinctive Porsche 911, the impactful artworks of young artists, or the in-depth interpretation of NFTs by professionals from various fields, all these things are in some way harmonised in the “Porsche Art Salon”. More than just an art annual gathering, the “Porsche Art Salon” is also an artistic expression, concern for the present and a vision for the future. As Ms. Jojo Tang, Vice President Public Relations and Press of Porsche China, said, “I hope that in the future, not only artists, companies or individuals who care about art, but also society as a whole, will become more aware of art, understand it and respect it.”
10/9/2021
Further information and pictures for journalists and media representatives can be found on the Porsche press database at http://presse.porsche.de/.