**Art Basel’s Zero 10 Shows Digital Art Is Here to Stay**

This year, Art Basel Miami Beach made a big move by launching a new section called Zero 10, focused entirely on digital art. This marked a major moment for digital creators, Web3 collectors, and technology-driven art. With everything from NFTs and AI to robots and generative code on display, Zero 10 proved that digital art is no longer just a trend — it’s becoming a core part of the art world.

### Beeple’s Bold Statement

Beeple, the artist known for selling a digital artwork for $69 million in 2021, was the star of the show. His latest work, *Regular Animals*, featured lifelike robots with faces of famous figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Andy Warhol. These robots roamed around, took pictures of visitors, and printed out artworks based on those photos — both physical prints and NFTs. The idea was to explore how tech leaders influence our imagination and how machines are starting to play a bigger role in creativity. Each robot sold out fast at $100,000.

### What Is Zero 10?

Zero 10 is Art Basel’s first dedicated digital art section. It covered 10,000 square feet right at the entrance of the fair. Rather than being off to the side, it was fully integrated into the main event. The name Zero 10 is inspired by a 1915 exhibition called “0,10” that introduced groundbreaking abstract art — drawing a parallel between past revolutions in art and today’s digital shift.

Art Basel’s CEO Noah Horowitz said this move reflects a clear shift in how people collect art today. Digital isn’t just an add-on anymore; it’s part of the future of art collecting.

### Strong Sales, Curious Collectors

Many exhibitors reported strong sales across the board, with prices ranging from a few thousand to six figures. Beeple wasn’t the only one selling out — galleries said collectors from both traditional and digital worlds were buying. There was strong interest from seasoned collectors as well as newcomers exploring digital art for the first time.

### Physical Meets Digital

Zero 10 showed that digital art isn’t just about screen-based files or NFTs. Many artists combined physical and digital elements to create hybrid works. For example:

– **Michael Kozlowski** turned computer circuits into wall sculptures made of resin and copper, each linked to an NFT.
– **Asprey Studio** paired digital works with handcrafted silver sculptures. They sold out their entire $225,000 presentation.
– **Tyler Hobbs** printed digital outputs on wooden panels, combining algorithmic design with tactile surfaces.
– **James Turrell**, known for working with light and space, presented digitally driven works that still felt grounded in traditional art.

These hybrid approaches helped traditional collectors feel more comfortable stepping into the digital space.

### New Ways to Show and Sell Art

Some artists used creative formats to engage viewers and rethink value:

– **Jack Butcher** created a booth where visitors could pay any amount they wanted to print a receipt, which became the artwork itself.
– **XCOPY** built a fake laundromat where people could get free NFTs that later disappeared — a playful take on crypto’s fleeting nature.
– **Mario Klingemann** let visitors kneel before an AI-powered screen that generated poetic messages in real-time.

These projects often encouraged participation rather than passive viewing. Many artists gave away free NFTs or sold them at low prices to promote accessibility and community building.

### Generative Art and Algorithms

Platforms like Art Blocks showcased generative art — works created by algorithms written by artists. For example:

– **Larva Labs**, creators of CryptoPunks, presented *Quine*, where each artwork generates its own code.
– Visitors could see how code became visuals and even get physical prints alongside the digital files.

This approach creates collections where each piece is unique but part of a larger system. It also helps collectors understand how digital art is made and why it matters.

### Digital Validation vs Traditional Gatekeepers

Most of the artists in Zero 10 didn’t rely on galleries or museums to build their reputation. They gained recognition through online platforms, social media, and communities built around Web3. Their work already had value in digital circles before arriving at Art Basel.

Unlike the traditional model where galleries act as gatekeepers, many of these artists handle promotion and sales themselves or work with platforms that allow direct connections with collectors. This decentralized model gives them more control over how their work is seen and sold.

Still, some galleries are adapting to support these artists in new ways. They offer guidance, context, and help manage complex projects — especially useful as digital art evolves into more advanced formats.

### Crypto Payments and Market Liquidity

A big part of this evolution is how people buy digital art. While most sales were priced in U.S. dollars, many buyers paid using cryptocurrency like Ethereum (ETH) or stablecoins like USDC.

– **Beeple** confirmed one robot sale was paid in crypto.
– **Art Blocks** accepted both fiat and crypto payments.
– **AOTM Gallery** priced all works by Dmitri Cherniak in ETH and sold out.
– **SOLOS Gallery** offered easy options for crypto newbies using platforms like Verse.

Accepting crypto allows galleries to tap into a huge pool of new buyers who have digital wealth but aren’t yet active in traditional collecting. It also makes transactions faster and more global.

### The Bigger Picture: Digital Art Is Not a Fad

Art Basel’s Zero 10 was more than just an experiment — it was a signal that the future of art includes screens, code, A.I., blockchain, robotics, and new forms of interaction. Digital artists are no longer fringe creators working outside the system. They’re building their own systems — with different rules, values, and audiences.

Collectors are catching on. A recent survey showed that over half of high-net-worth collectors bought digital art in 2025. It’s now the third-largest category after painting and sculpture. Younger generations are even more invested: 63% of Gen Z collectors bought digital works in the past year alone.

As technology becomes part of everyday life, it makes sense that artists reflect this reality in their work. The tools are changing — but so is what we consider valuable, collectible, and meaningful in contemporary art.

Digital art may have started online, but it’s now taking center stage at the world’s biggest art fairs — and it’s not going anywhere.