The award-winning prize of the artist RVig is a three-minute video loop that portrays  Charles Baudelaire's 126 poems as ribbons that evolve and flow according to the structure of poetry.

According to the artist, the ribbons intertwine and mingle, mirroring the structure of the text. RVig has been a digital artist since 1999 and he entered the NFT realm in 2021. He currently lives in Geneva.

Award winner RVig. (Image: Arab Bank Switzerland)

Interdisciplinary Jury

The jury comprised Rani Jabban, the head of Arab Bank Switzerland, Claire Silver, AI-based artist and chairwoman of the jury, Dave Krugman, Photographer and founder of digital artist collective ALLSHIPS, William Mapan, generative artist, and Marjan Moghaddam, winner of the 2023 ABS Digital Art Prize. They all praised RVig's work for its visual elegance and emotional depth. 

Entries from 66 Countries

The ABS Digital Art Prize is the first to award digital artists working in the NFT space and it attracted 429 entries from 66 countries. Among them, 10 finalists were chosen, all of whom represented various movements in digital art: Miss AL Simpson, Anthony Samaniego, Ivona Tau, Leander Herzog, Louis Paul Caron, MDD, Mia Forrest, Samantha Cavet and Eva Eller, Roope Rainisto & Irina Angles.

«Angelorum Gaudium», by finalists Samantha Cavet and Eva Eller, (Image: ABS)

Increasing Awareness

Rani Jabban emphasized the importance of the prize: «The creation of an award was the next logical step for us as art patrons with close links to the world of digital assets. We believed that it would be decisive to create a global prize that challenges and supports artists while also raising awareness for this up-and-coming sector.»

«Take me to myself» by finalists Roope Rainisto & Irina Angles (Image: ABS)

More than a Prize

The winner receives 15,000 francs and their work will become part of the Arab Bank Switzerland's digital art collection. Beyond that, they are offered significant networking and exhibition opportunities at significant events held around the world.

Close Links

Arab Bank Switzerland, established in 1962, has always considered itself a bridge between the Middle East and the West. Its long-running engagement in the arts and the creation of the ABS Digital Art Prize have now made it a substantial exponent and supporter of digital art, supporting up-and-coming artists around the world. 

Digital World

In 2022, the bank announced its own NFT art collection, which brings together different styles and exhibits works by renowned artists, ranging from crypto-art to photography, GenAr, and AI-based art, including PFPs (profile images) and Trash Art, reflecting contemporary digital art as a complex, diverse, and innovative construct.

• More information accessible at the following Link.