New Media Art: Human Bodies and Social Cybernetics Speakers: Henry Chu, Artist; Prof Jeffrey Shaw, Hong Kong Baptist University; Prof De Kai, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Moderator: Ashley Lee Wong, MetaObjects The relationship of art and technology dates back to the 1940s, from the articulation of light and movement, to the interaction between humans and computers in the 1980s. The advent of digital technology has disrupted artist-centred practices and audience interactivity. The panel discussion shares on the changing configuration of interrelations between artists, audiences, artworks and art institutions; our changing relationships with machines; and media art as a force to respond, critique, and innovate.

The Rise of Blockchain Technology, from Cryptocurrency to NFT Art Speakers: John Keh, Run The Chain; Nicholas Chan, Refinable Moderator: Gillian Au Howard, Digital Art Fair Asia Leveraging the rise of blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the world is at the pinnacle of creative technology and digital economy. The expert panel explores how NFTs are revolutionizing the art world, from creation, collections, to exhibitions and the narration of artistic experiences. As the discussion unravels, we challenge the evolving role of arts and cultural practices, and explore topics of scarcity, ownership, values and authority, sharing on future potentials for digital art.

Generating Social Capital and Unlocking the Creator Economy with NFTs Speakers: Vinay Vaswani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, UMA; Linda Dounia, Founder, Cyber Baat; Gillian Au Howard, Co-founder & Fair Director, Digital Art Fair Asia Moderator: Joyce Li, Programme Director, Digital Art Fair Asia Language: English Within the progressive, decentralised artworld of NFTs, blockchain technology offers new opportunities beyond limitations of traditional funding models. The panel discussion explores a new art ecology that gives voices to the African community and diaspora, as well as financial returns that ensures stability for emerging artists. Representing the values of cryptocurrency and decentralisation, the artist-led platform reflects solidarity and freedom of a new generation of digital artists and community.

Metaverse and The Future of Art Collections Speakers: Sylvain Levy, DSL Collection; Krista Kim, Artist; Yat Siu, Animoca; Vitomir Jevremovic, VR-ALL-ART Moderator: Gillian Au Howard, Digital Art Fair Asia Language: English ​ The idea of metaverse can be broadly defined as a ‘second world’ in the convergence of the digital and physical realm. With the advent of virtual reality, augmented reality, and game engine technologies, the concept of metaverse is predominating current conversations on cultural production, as well as the way we consume and experience art. Together with leading VR, AR technologists, and early advocates of new technology in art, the panel discussion unravels future potentials for art collections and how metaverse contributes to a rich and vibrant shared art ecosystem.

Role of Females in NFT Landscape: Creatives, Investors and Collectors Speakers: Lyndaine Demetilla, Co-founder, SatoshiWomen; Vivien Khoo, Co-founder, SatoshiWomen; Gillian Au Howard, Co-founder & Fair Director, Digital Art Fair Moderator: John Keh, Founder, Run The Chain ​NFT has redefined opportunities for creatives, investors and collectors. While the decentralised NFT sphere offers equal opportunities, the male dominated art and tech sector makes it difficult for women to enter the field. As more creatives transition into the NFT industry, female advocacy groups such as Satoshiwomen are creating communities for gender inclusivity. This panel discussion we invite Satoshiwomen to share their fascinating journey and the work they have done to drive female participation and representation in the digital space through education, mentoring and partnerships. Together with DAFA Co-founder and Fair Director, Gaillian Au Howard, the dialogue uncovers the psychology behind NFT and how females in the field are making it more accessible to creatives, investors and collectors.

How Technology is Changing the Art World Speakers: Dr Jack Lau/ Advisor - The Articoin; Kevin Lee/ Founder & CEO - Redspots Creative (Hong Kong) Company Limited; Wiva Wei, MatrixSense Technology, Chairman; Kenny Koo, Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer) Integration of arts and digital technology has become a new trend in art development. Technology provides artists with new forms of expression, extended room for creativity, more interactive experience for the audience, as well as a more sustainable environment for creation. Cyberport is committed to promoting the application of digital technology in the arts sector, and to connecting the innovation and technology sector with the arts sector for collaboration in ArtTech. With Ir Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport as the moderator, three Cyberport community companies and senior management of Hutchison Telecom will examine how technologies such as 5G, hologram, AR/VR, NFT, can enhance the content and delivery of artistic creation in the session.

Values, Ownership & Authority: From Photography to Digital Art Speakers: Derry Ainsworth, Curation Director Digital Art Fair Asia; Joyce Yung, Artist; Blair Sugarman, Artist; Sean Foley, Artist Moderator: Gillian Howard, Fair Director, Digital Art Fair Asia The first photographs date back to the 1820s with photography entering the realm of fine arts in the nineteenth century, disrupting traditional views of paintings. With the rise of NFT comes a new debate beyond the analogue and digital. What does it mean for photographers to create NFTs, and how does it alter its associated values, ownerships and authority? While NFTs provide a way to tokenize both digital and physical assets for digital exchange, the panel of pioneer NFT photographers shares on their journey and the ramifications of the digital society and the NFT revolution.

Digital Art as Cultural Expression Speakers: Jeremy Cheung, Artist; Zoie Lam, Artist Moderator: Heiman Ng, Digital Art Fair Asia Digital technology and new media have fostered new forms of engagement with culture and heritage, offering an alternative perspective on traditional history and everyday life. In discussion with Hong Kong artists, Jeremy Cheung and Zoie Lam, the dialogue examines the interaction between cultural expressions and digital art, and how it alters artistic production and representations of Hong Kong culture and society.