OMA, charlotte taylor + nicholas préaud present NFT of 'coral arena' sculpture in miami

aorist launches NFTs BY oma, charlotte taylor + nicholas préaud

aorist launches its cross-disciplinary program and climate-forward NFT marketplace during miami art week 2021, including ‘coral arena’ by OMA new york, charlotte taylor, and nicholas préaud. in a project led by shohei shigematsu, contemporary architectural firm OMA designed the master plan for the ReefLine, an underwater sculpture park and marine sanctuary in miami (see more on designboom here). a research-based architectural firm, OMA and shohei shigematsu’s development of the ReefLine included studies of organic forms and of the naturally-occurring architectural structures of coral, and their relationships to minimalist art and sacred geometry.

simulating the life of a physical artwork that will be installed in the future as a part of the masterplan, the series of three unique NFTs unfolds as the virtual narrative of a monumental sculpture that is first found in a contextless, scaleless white cube and then transplanted to the miami beach coastline. submerged in the ocean bed, the once rigidly geometric sculpture blooms as the natural growth of corals on all of its surfaces creates a new underwater eco-system.all images copyright and courtesy OMA new york, charlotte taylor & nicholas préaud

CORAL ARENA: A GEOMETRIC SCULPTURE SUBMERGE IN MIAMI’S OCEAN BED

‘coral arena’ by OMA new york, charlotte taylor, and nicholas préaud correspond to the physical work, and imagine a future of uninhibited coral growth upon the structure, repopulating marine life and saving an endangered ecosystem. the NFTs were recently released on aorist‘s climate-forward NFT marketplace, powered by algorand. part of the three unique artworks, the ‘coral arena’ short film depicts the journey of a monumental architectural structure. beginning its life as a static sculptural piece in a museum setting, the sculpture is then transplanted into its intended setting, submerged in the ocean, where it transforms into a living structure with a wealth of coral and creatures inhabiting the piece. the final form and closing sequence exhibits a vibrant and thriving ecosystem growing around the architectural structure, the skeleton holding a new body of life.

screenshot of ‘coral arena’ (clip), 2021, by OMA new york, charlotte taylor, and nicholas préaud

screenshot of ‘coral arena’ (clip), 2021, by OMA new york, charlotte taylor, and nicholas préaud

screenshot of ‘coral arena’ (clip), 2021, by OMA new york, charlotte taylor, and nicholas préaud

screenshot of ‘coral arena’ (clip), 2021, by OMA new york, charlotte taylor, and nicholas préaud

project info:

name: coral arena

creators: OMA new york, charlotte taylor & nicholas préaud

platform: aorist

coral arena film

written & directed by: OMA NY, charlotte taylor & nicholas préaud

CGI artists: nicholas préaud, pablo alfieri, martin salfity, diego diapolo, macs riedel

sound design: smider

duration: 36 sec

format: 1920x1080px

edition: 1
sold for: $42,543