A one night only art gallery event was held in Los Angeles, featuring Asian and Asian American artists, DJs, food vendors, and specialty beverages. Future Nostalgia was a showcase of physical art pieces as well as digital collectibles, also known as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). Produced by HOT NOIZE, an art curation group founded by Marco Liu and James Tseng, the purpose of the event was to highlight the breadth and depth of Asian creativity in Southern California while demonstrating real world applications for blockchain technology in the realm of art.
After a global pandemic that affected all our lives for years, the organizers were motivated to produce a show that referenced hopeful visions of the future inspired by the pop culture sounds and aesthetics of bygone years. To that end, Marco Liu and James Tseng selected artists from across America and all the way from Asia to create original works that reflected each artist’s vision of the future reflected in their memories of the past. Sixteen artists from Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Detroit, Taipei, and Beijing took part, including Bernard Chang, Mimi Chao, Ang Chen, Ruby Chen, Tony Cheung, Ryan Hong, Shoko Ishida, Bernard Lee, Patty Lin, Pigo Lin, Jerry Ma, Reiko Murakami, Mogu Shen, James Tseng, Brian Yoon, and Cassie Zhang.
According to Marco Liu, “Southern California is the preeminent hub for Asian American creative life in the United States, so we wanted to empower and amplify some of the amazing artists we have encountered over the years, while also exploring new possibilities provided by blockchain technology.”
James Tseng adds, “As someone born in Taiwan who moved to America as a teenager, I always thought that there was a gap in understanding between Asians and Asian Americans. Future Nostalgia is an opportunity to bridge the gap and find common ground through art.”
Digital collectibles have become a popular and often controversial commodity because of dramatic news headlines and wild swings in the market. However, the underlying blockchain technology that enables digital collectibles to be a practical option for both artists and collectors allows for beautiful works of art to be created, logged, sold, and traded anywhere in the world, opening up new possibilities for art collection.
With so many exceptional Asian American artists in Southern California, as well as incredible Asian artists from around the world, the organizers behind the event wanted to educate and support the broader Asian community by putting on an IRL (In Real Life) event that gives people to view and purchase their own, one of a kind, digital collectible. Thus, Future Nostalgia was born.
Besides visual art, the event featured an evening full of innovative DJ sets by DJs Guad Squad, Ronni Bunni, and Joey Kollapse, highlighted by EDC Las Vegas DJ Julienne By, with long-time Chinatown Los Angeles Living Room Sessions DJ Shark Faicol closing out the night.
Future Nostalgia also served as a showcase for some of the innovative food being made by talented young Asian chefs in Southern California. From Lao cuisine by Nok’s Kitchen and Thai fried chicken skin by Pa Fah LA, to Taiwanese street food from MRT Store LA to coconut dessert from Kokonut and Filipino-inspired cookies by Sweet G’s and Southeast Asian snacks by Tuk Tuk Box, with a special coffee service by Maddie’s Cafe from Garden Grove, California, from savory to sweet, there was something for everyone at the event.
To wash it all down, Future Nostalgia also featured delicious beverages from several different sponsors, including Rémy Martin, Blue Ice Vodka, Plant Botanical Vodka, Dulce Vida Tequila, Tsingtao Beer, Makku Korean Rice Beer, Drunk Fruit Hard Seltzer, Sanzo Sparkling Water, and Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water.
Taiwan-based bartender Will Fahn also prepared specialty drinks at the event as a preview for his upcoming tiki bar concept that will be opening in Taiwan in Summer 2023.
Future Nostalgia was exhibited at The Robinson S.P.A.C.E. located in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipino town and was produced by HOT NOIZE founders Marco Liu and James Tseng, sponsored by Digi Art.
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
Our event will feature amazing art accompanied by DJs, a popup bar, and Asian-owned beverage brands and food vendors together to highlight the global Asian experience in Historic Filipinotown, deep in the heart of Los Angeles. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto
