Volumetric and Edible NFTs: Explorations of the Limits of Aesthetic Assetization and Tokenization

Abstract

Through two experiments with volumetric and one experiment with edible Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) conducted between 2021 and 2022, we will discuss the limits of "assetization"and engagement with speculative future and value. Assetization is a process of claiming or generating "future"value that creates various (not only economic) expectations and incentives. To capture the novel aesthetic expectations and experiences beyond assetization, we will focus on the edge cases, such as edible NFTs and also NFTs related to large volumetric (mesh) data. How can fringe NFTs mitigate some of the negative effects of commodification and market speculation? Our use cases show that a major barrier for assetization and tokenization of alternative and novel values, impacts, and goals are the closed data and software silos, but also the user-unfriendly interfaces for interacting with the blockchain infrastructure. Instead of creating new markets and media ecosystems that generate new sources of income for the creators, NFTS still transform cultural artifacts into speculative investments with detrimental effects.