Layers

This work employs Vhils’s traditional technique of “scraping the surface,” which involves removing the layer formed by a stack of laminated posters on the street to reveal each of its constituent layers. In doing so, he brings to light the various layers of history accumulated beneath the posters, like a contemporary archaeologist. A portrait also stands out against this backdrop of posters. By incorporating portraits into his work, Vhils aims to put people back at the heart of the city, restoring a place they seem to have lost in the face of rampant urbanization. LAYERS is the first evolving NFT project in which collectors can co-create works of art on the Ethereum blockchain. The works will evolve over time according to each person’s preferences, with every collector free to “tear off” each “layer” as they see fit—though there is one limit that cannot be exceeded: three attempts. The ultimate goal is to develop a new ecosystem based on these non-fungible tokens and centered around a single artist. This isn’t the first time Vhils has ventured into the fascinating world of crypto-artists. His famous “Scratching the Surface” project gave rise to 10,000 interactive artworks, hosted entirely on the blockchain. The LAYERS project, meanwhile, offers 3,000 blank canvases for sale. The LAYERS can then be converted into physical works of art, as is the case here.