Poor Reception 2018

Beeple, born Michael Joseph Winkelmann, made this work, “Poor Reception,” using digital tools. At first glance, this looks like a typical post-apocalyptic scene. What makes it unique, though, is its vibrant pink coloration. This isn't decay we're seeing, but rather a kind of effervescent renewal. Nature reclaims the detritus of industrial society. The title is telling: “Poor Reception.” It suggests a world in which communication, a hallmark of our digital age, has broken down. Ironically, Beeple made his name *through* the internet, creating a new market for digital art through NFTs. It is a commentary on our times. The image makes you wonder about the future of our increasingly digitized world. But, it also challenges our assumptions about art itself. Is digital art really "art," or just a commodity? It is the tension between these ideas that makes “Poor Reception” so compelling.