The Tezos Foundation is excited to announce a year-long partnership with leading art and culture institution Musée d’Orsay. The Musée d’Orsay will work in partnership with Tezos-based platform KERU to issue the first digital souvenirs for its upcoming, seminal exhibition “Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise: the final months”, which opens on October 3, 2023.

Two unique digital souvenirs are available to visitors. The first one is a representation of Van Gogh's final palette, which was lent to the artist by Doctor Gachet in Auvers-sur-Oise. This souvenir can be easily shared in augmented reality using a mobile phone (compatible with iOS/Android). The second souvenir is a digital artwork intricately crafted by KERU in collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay, inspired by Van Gogh’s paintings.

In addition, the Musée d'Orsay is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections with its audience by providing exclusive and unprecedented benefits to its visitors, including the chance to win a lifetime pass to the Musée d'Orsay.

Furthermore, the Musée d’Orsay and the Tezos Foundation will collaborate on a series of conferences and educational programs scheduled throughout the year-long partnership, which will be aimed at bringing web3 to the museum’s wider audiences.

The Musée d’Orsay chose to partner with the Tezos Foundation due to the blockchain’s robust web3 arts & culture ecosystem and the ecosystem’s commitment to the digital art community and sustainability. Moreover, the museum was able to rely on the Tezos blockchain network of experts from Trilitech and Nomadic Labs to bring the project to life.

The relationship commenced in 2022 following the Musée d’Orsay’s participation in the second cohort of the Web3 Arts and Culture (WAC) Labs Fellowship program, which onboards global cultural institutions to web3 and includes education about and support for the development of institution-specific projects on the Tezos blockchain.

The relationship with the Musée D’Orsay continues the Tezos Foundation’s legacy of supporting technological innovation in the arts & culture sector. In recent years the Tezos ecosystem has increased its support for arts & culture institutions and artists’ estates seeking to learn more and explore NFTs and web3.

For instance, in October 2022, the Tezos Foundation announced a two-year partnership with London’s Serpentine, including an immersive exhibition of works by Gabriel Massan and their creators centred around a game and minting memories as NFTs. From November 2022 to the present day, Refik Anadol’s Unsupervised exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York included an attendance token minted on Tezos through the Autonomy Wallet.

Furthermore, in March 2023, the estate of Lee Mullican partnered with Feral File and curator Anika Meier to mint 12 of the artist’s digital experiences on the Tezos blockchain. And in August 2023, the Tezos Foundation supported a novel examination of poet Allen Ginsberg’s work using AI technology which debuted at Fahey/Klein Gallery in Los Angeles.

Tezos is now on the brink of its 15th upgrade, christened "Oxford." A collaborative proposal from Nomadic Labs, Marigold, TriliTech, Oxhead Alpha, Tarides, DaiLambda, & Functori, Oxford is desgined to be a game-changer. Here's a quick refresher on what's in store.

The Essence of Oxford

• Staking Economics Revamp:

  • Adaptive Issuance: A dynamic approach to tez issuance. The rate will now fluctuate based on the staked tez to total supply ratio, aiming for a 50% staking ratio.

  • New Staking Mechanism: Introducing the "staker" role, users can now back a baker's security deposit without relinquishing control of their funds. Both rewards and risks are proportionally distributed.

• PoS Refinements:

  • Misbehavior penalties are now directly linked to the funds at stake.

  • Bakers gain increased control over their staked assets.

  • Adjusted rewards for reporting misconduct.

• Timelocks: Previously sidelined due to security issues, timelocks are back, redesigned to prevent unfair transaction ordering advantages.

• Smart Rollups Boost:

  • Developer operations have been simplified.

  • Enhanced features for Smart Rollups deployment.

• Activation Process: The Oxford proposal's endorsement doesn't mean instant activation. Bakers will engage in an ongoing vote, ensuring comprehensive community understanding and agreement.

Bakers, your voice matters now more than ever. With just 3 days left to cast your vote on this monumental upgrade, it's imperative to participate. The beauty of Tezos governance lies in its democratic nature. Whether we concur or dissent, we collectively determine the protocol's future. Tezos stands out as one of the rare blockchains that’s truly powered by its community.

Learn everything you need to know about Oxford at Tezos Agora

Tezos and Fireblocks: Igniting a New Path

In the sprawling digital jungle, occasionally, two behemoths cross paths, igniting a fire that promises to light up the entire ecosystem. Cue Tezos and Fireblocks. On their own, they've been formidable forces, but together? They're setting the digital woods ablaze.

Tezos: Not Just Another Blockchain

Let's talk Tezos, with a staggering 100% uptick in its DeFi protocols' total value locked (TVL) and a 55% surge in market cap within a year, Tezos isn't just playing the game; it's growing at an exponential rate. Also, don’t forget about it’s newfound capability to process over a million transactions every second, It's like watching Usain Bolt take on blockchain.

Fireblocks: Lighting Up the Tezos Sky

Now, bring Fireblocks into the picture. This isn't just about offering a shiny new platform for Tezos tokens. No, this is about giving Tezos users the ability to securely custody FA1.2 and FA2 token standards on Tezos as well as leverage Fireblocks’ Web3 Engine to build new products and services on the Tezos blockchain. Michael Mendes from Trilitech, the London-based Tezos hub, paints it vividly: “Fireblocks brings an unrivaled expertise in enterprise-grade non-custodial and infrastructure solutions. The integration paves the way for institutional players to access Tezos dApps and tokens and opens projects that are utilizing the Fireblocks stack to deploy on Tezos with minimal effort."

From the Racetracks to the Digital Tracks

And speaking of exponential growth, let's not forget the big names already dancing to the Tezos tune. McLaren Racing, Ubisoft, Manchester United - these aren't just names; they're iconic global brands. Now with Fireblocks in the mix, the stage is set for a digital extravaganza.

Omer Amsel of Fireblocks captures the essence of this partnership: "By adding Tezos support on Fireblocks, we further solidify our commitment to supporting the blockchain developer community and empowering innovation in DeFi and Web3. Our mission is to enable new products and services that can leverage the power of blockchain technology. We look forward to unlocking new opportunities for our customers and developers to engage with the Tezos blockchain."

Tez Art MTL: What We Learned

If there’s one thing that’s become apparent, it’s that the Tezos community is no stranger to artistic talent. In that spectrum, there was an event that took place on September 15th, 2023 called TezArtMTL. Featuring 80 different artists and several curators and organizers, the event brought together many artists minting on Tezos in beautiful Montreal, Canada.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the highlights from the event.

NFTs and More NFTs

When I look at the culture of the art community on Tezos, I can find no better example than the thoughts of Richard Entrup. In Richard’s words on TezTalks Radio, “I always felt like Tezos was about the art first. Let’s face it, the PFPs drove this movement, not art. A very small percentage of NFT sales were art or art related”.

Those words encapsulate what many of us involved in the Tezos NFT ecosystem know and feel already. But, for outsiders it may be a bit cloudy as to what is being done here. It shows how robust and talented the artistic community here on Tezos really is.

With that thought in mind, let’s highlight some of the amazing artists and creators who had their works showcased at TezArtMTL.

Cem Hasimi

Cem is a talented artist here on Tezos.

Tom Lauerman

Tom is another talented artist and educator here on Tezos. Using clay sculptures and combining real-world materials with code, his works can be found on OBJKT.

Ranxdeer

Ranxdeer is a designer and visual artist on Tezos. Some of her works can be found on OBJKT. This particular piece is called “Presence”.

Ceren Su Celik

Ceren is another digital artist and painter on Tezos. Her works can be found on OBJKT.

Igor Tsvetkov

Igor is a talented artist and filmmaker on Tezos. Some of Igor’s works can be found on OBJKT.

What We Learned

From all the support from curators and organizers of the TezArtMTL event, it’s clear to see that the Tezos art community is not only alive, but thriving. As we’ve been in a cooldown period in the greater blockchain landscape, a lot of the things that were once popular such as PFP projects have begun to dwindle in interest.

Events like TezArtMTL showcased that not only is there still an interest in NFTs, but Tezos based NFTs. With 80 different artists featured, I’ve barely scratched the surface on some of the talent that can be found on Tezos.

I’m amazed at some of the talented individuals who were featured in the TezArtMTL lineup, many of whom I had yet to discover. That in itself just goes to show how large this community really is and what they can accomplish when they come together.

While I cannot speak entirely on the behalf of all of Tezos Commons, our mission is simple. We’re here to build and support communities on Tezos like TezArtMTL. If you have an event you’re trying to host and need help or guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out!

This Week in the Tezos Ecosystem

The Future of Art: "Node to Node" Exhibition in Paris

As the autumn leaves begin to fall in the City of Lights, a new kind of artistic renaissance is taking root. From October 13th to 22nd, the Kate Vass Galerie, a beacon of contemporary art, is hosting the much-anticipated Art Salon "Node to Node". Set in the heart of Paris, this exhibition promises to be a confluence of tradition and technology, showcasing the mesmerizing world of generative and AI art.

Generative art, a fusion of human creativity and algorithmic design, has been steadily gaining traction in the art world. This exhibition, however, takes it a step further by bringing together a stellar lineup of renowned artists in this domain. The event promises a diverse range of artistic mediums, from paintings and plotter drawings to post-photography and site-specific installations.

In collaboration with the Tezos-based generative platform, fx(hash), the event is set to be a landmark in the evolving landscape of digital art. The partnership underscores the growing intersection of art and blockchain, a testament to how technology is reshaping the boundaries of artistic expression.

One of the standout features of "Node to Node" is its inclusion of select pieces from a private collection of the esteemed French publication, Didi. This integration of traditional and contemporary, of the tangible and the digital, offers attendees a holistic view of the art world's trajectory.

But "Node to Node" is more than just a visual spectacle. It's an immersive experience. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to interact with artists and immerse themselves in the artistic process through live performances and workshops. Names like Michael Zancan, Ivona Tau, Iskra Velichkova, and Marcelo Soria-Rodriguez are slated to collaborate, ensuring that attendees are in for a treat.

For art enthusiasts around the world unable to make the journey to Paris, Kate Vass Galerie has ensured that the experience is not limited by geography. Live conversations with the artists will be hosted during the first two weeks of October, offering a deep dive into their artistic journeys, inspirations, and the stories behind their showcased pieces.

To be part of this event, register for the opening on October 13th, get an early preview of the artwork, and stay updated on upcoming interviews and workshops, visit Kate Vass Galerie's website.

In a world where the lines between the physical and digital are increasingly blurred, "Node to Node" stands as a testament to the future of art. Don't miss it.

Tezos Foundation Bi-Annual Report: September 2023

The Tezos ecosystem experienced consistent growth in daily active wallets with the total number of wallets surpassing 4.5 million. The ecosystem also witnessed a notable increase in Total Value Locked (TVL) both in XTZ and USD.

The Tezos blockchain made significant progress in protocol upgrades during the first half of the year with the network successfully completing two forkless upgrades with Mumbai in March and Nairobi in June. Both upgrades introduced significant scaling possibilities.

This biannual report focuses on Tezos adoption and we have therefore added a short update by the Art, Gaming, DeFi and Core verticals, as well as small adoption teasers to help you with your first steps on Tezos

Full report is now available here

This Week in Tezos Development

Release of Ligo V1 | LigoLang

The LigoLang team has announced the release of Ligo V1, marking a significant improvement in user experience and a new beginning for Ligo.

Key Highlights:

• Major Update: Ligo V1 is a culmination of months of dedication and hard work, offering an enhanced experience for its users.

• Migration Guide: For those looking to transition, a detailed "Migration to LIGO v. 1.0" guide has been published on the LigoLang website. Link

• Changelog Details: A comprehensive list of the breaking changes introduced in V1 can be found in the Ligo changelog. Link

The team encourages all Ligo users to familiarize themselves with these changes and use the provided resources for a smooth transition.

Now Streaming

TezTalks Radio: Curating with Jesse Damiani

In this week's episode, we sit down with writer, producer, and entrepreneur, Jesse Damiani to discuss the future of NFTs

Where to Watch:

YouTube

Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon