Physical to Digital: The Emotional Shift in Art Collecting | Raoul Pal ft. Micky Malka

Micky Malka describes his unexpected journey into digital art, which began with pairing physical art and led to a profound appreciation for the vibrant, collaborative energy of the digital art world compared to the stagnant traditional art scene.

• Digital art collecting can begin from an artistic appreciation, pairing new digital works with existing physical collections.

• Connecting with digital artists reveals profound human inspiration and community, in contrast to traditional art's perceived stagnation.

• The energy and collaboration within the digital art scene signify a modern resurgence of artistic vibrancy.

Micky Malka initially missed early NFT trends but stumbled into digital art collecting in 2022 by serendipitously finding a digital piece that resonated with his existing physical art collection. His approach to digital art was deeply artistic, focusing on pairing digital works with physical ones and connecting with the creators. This experience revealed a dynamic, inspiring art scene in stark contrast to the perceived staleness of traditional art institutions.

Starting Digital Art Collection

• 00:00:35 Micky Malka began collecting digital art in 2022, during a bear market, after initially missing the early CryptoPunk and CryptoKitty trends. His entry was prompted by discovering an NFT on Twitter that remarkably resembled a physical artwork he owned, leading him to purchase his first piece from Mexican artist Juan Carlos Garcia. This marked the start of his unique journey, focused on artistic pairing rather than crypto speculation or trading.

Artistic Pairing Approach

• 00:01:27 Malka and his wife Becky developed an art-first approach, pairing their newly acquired digital art with their established collection of physical art, such as matching Autoglyphs with a 1950s piece. This method helped them bridge different art generations and discover new connections, demonstrating how 'art can talk in different generations to different people, but it still rhymes.' Their website initially served to showcase these pairings and educate their children on art's evolving dialogue.

Engagement with Digital Artists

• 00:03:13 A significant aspect of Malka's journey was encountering creative digital artists like Eric from Snowfro and Sam Spratt, fostering genuine friendships and deeper appreciation for their work. He found their inspiration went beyond mere expression, rooted in authentic feeling, which was a refreshing contrast to what he perceived as a 'stale' and 'boring' traditional art world. This personal connection to creators further solidified his commitment to digital art.

Critique of Traditional vs. Digital Art

• 00:03:57 A visit to the Venice Biennale revealed the perceived 'dead' and unenergetic nature of traditional art, which felt like 'going to a bank branch' in its lack of engagement. In stark contrast, a Bright Moments exhibition in Venice showcased vibrant energy, collaboration, and mutual support among young digital artists, reminiscent of the dynamic art scenes of 1910s or 1920s Paris. This experience convinced Malka of the profound shift and greater relevance within the digital art space.