Abel Rodgers

Artist - Designer - Polymath

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@marka_eth @LeValleyKelly @GTSewell @JLArtsphere @vectris @A_Giant_Swan @Gazzinho @shannonsonfire @cathsimard_ @MattKaneArtist @Sherone33 ❤️ 🙌🏻

[swickie ✨ @Swickie]

Incredible artwork by Abel Rodger’s

[marka @marka_eth]

what a way to end an incredible weekend

@pandelic on a 100 year old steinway

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

Gm from Marfa.

The streets have quieted, the galleries are locked up, and what an incredible weekend it was.

Over the past two years, I’ve experienced just about every event that makes its way through Marfa. Marfa Lights, Agave Fest, Chinati Weekend, Viva Big Bend, Judd, Flying Island, and plenty more. All unique, all bringing something special to this little town.

But Art Blocks takes the cake.

And trust me, this isn’t just my opinion. After countless conversations with locals this weekend, I think it’s safe to say no other group of “tourists” 😆 fills Marfa with quite this much positivity, kindness, love, creativity, and BAD ASS ART.

This year I had the privilege of hosting 30 artists at New Star Grocery for Plastic Cactus. Watching @GTSewell @JLArtsphere and @marka_eth get down to business ❤️ while a 17-foot Tiny Viking rose from the ground @LazerErik , learned new skills, learned a thing or two about minting my own work onchain, wandered through virtual reality @A_Giant_Swan , and got a glimpse into all sorts of corners and portals of the internet I hadn’t yet discovered. From generative art and blockchain to the many new ways artists are creating, sharing, and collecting their work. A whole world of possibilities I knew very little about going into this weekend.

Between the lovely dinners @LeValleyKelly getting to share some of my own work, the dancing, the parties, and the endless conversations and stories, I came away with far more than I expected.

What stands out most, though, is the people. A genuinely remarkable community of humans who seem as interested in lifting one another up as they are in the art itself. That’s a rare thing.

A big shoutout to @ArtOnBlockchain @artblocks_io for bringing this🔥 to Marfa year after year. You’ve built something special here, and I think I can speak for a lot of locals when I say we’re grateful for it.

Excited to see what the future holds. Until next time!

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@jared_poz Same. Good stories and experiences all weekend. Sad it’s over.

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

Marfa Studio Time

[𝗚𝗧 @GTSewell]

No better way to finish a fucking amazing @artblocks_io weekend than to top it off with the human squiggle

😘

Ps, pretty sure this is a world record?

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@Swickie Nice meeting. Dress 🌼 🙌🏻

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

Well captured 🫶🏻 I learned so much cool shit this weekend. So thankful to have met so many amazing creators and people this weekend.

[Dutchtide.eth @dutchtide]

Marfa reflections (1/2)

Man there is much to say. Before I visited, I had my apprehensions. A town in the middle of the desert? The flight time. The cost.

It was a lot. And the current image of the States isn't exactly.. welcoming. Let's put it like that.

Yet. Once @GTSewell invited me I pulled the trigger. Hearing what he had put on the line inspired me.

We had never met. And honestly, the only reason we did is because he put out a call for fellow artists to join him on his journey.

And man am I glad I did.

Once I arrived in this small oasis I was stunned by its beauty. The drive there a landscape of windswept plains and distant hills. They say everything is bigger in Texas. And let me tell you. It's true.

The sky was breathtaking. As I wandered the town, I felt somewhat lonely.

I have to be honest with you guys. Most events for me have been lonely. As much as I love connecting. Even though I'd meet people, it always felt like I was fighting to be included. A strange thing to say, as many people seem to know me. It made me doubt myself at times.

I half expected Marfa to be the same. Then the Aussies showed up. And from that moment onward, the weekend began.

Not just the most fun fucking people. But genuinely a good group. It's not about transactions. It's not "I try to climb a status ladder" or "I will talk to them to pitch or sell". It's "Where are you coming from? Tell me more about you, your practice, what's your story?"

The gallery was set up with a different vision. Possibly in the most indie cryptoart style, aka the best vision. Maximalism in art. No white wall. Art. Art. Art. From all over.

I opted for showing my most recent piece, where @Abelwares and @JLArtsphere made a massive difference in my presentation. They helped me build the frame for the piece on the spot. A massive thanks to these legends.

@A_Giant_Swan, an absolutely amazing artist, was my neighbor on the wall and we quickly hit it off. Good laughs throughout the weekend. (Many more amazing neighbours, but too many to name)

Marfa is different from every event I've been to in this space. Not only because of its people. But because of its layout. An event like this could never happen in NYC or Singapore. Not because the cities are not dope. But because they are too large to be intimate.

The journey here acts as a filter, as @seanbonner said to me. Genuine people make their way here. @LeValleyKelly @deltasauce @natealex (and again, so many more, efteling people, skater man pls comment) To finally see each other after many years of hiding behind the screen.

Conversations hit an emotional snare for me, as with @MattKaneArtist and @MathieuFrance, who both gave me insightful advice and thoughts to ponder.

The art was the conversation. But the connection felt here was genuine. Real. Something I have found hard to come by.

I realised that this online world we live in is hardly a representation of us. I think this algorithm divides us.

But this event has shown me what actually matters in this space.

And let me tell you, it's not the floor price. It's not the number go up. It's not the supply. The demand. It's not the rarity. It's not even the art.

Part 2 below.

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@OtakuG0d Gas

[Dutchtide.eth @dutchtide]

Marfa reflections (1/2)

Man there is much to say. Before I visited, I had my apprehensions. A town in the middle of the desert? The flight time. The cost.

It was a lot. And the current image of the States isn't exactly.. welcoming. Let's put it like that.

Yet. Once @GTSewell invited me I pulled the trigger. Hearing what he had put on the line inspired me.

We had never met. And honestly, the only reason we did is because he put out a call for fellow artists to join him on his journey.

And man am I glad I did.

Once I arrived in this small oasis I was stunned by its beauty. The drive there a landscape of windswept plains and distant hills. They say everything is bigger in Texas. And let me tell you. It's true.

The sky was breathtaking. As I wandered the town, I felt somewhat lonely.

I have to be honest with you guys. Most events for me have been lonely. As much as I love connecting. Even though I'd meet people, it always felt like I was fighting to be included. A strange thing to say, as many people seem to know me. It made me doubt myself at times.

I half expected Marfa to be the same. Then the Aussies showed up. And from that moment onward, the weekend began.

Not just the most fun fucking people. But genuinely a good group. It's not about transactions. It's not "I try to climb a status ladder" or "I will talk to them to pitch or sell". It's "Where are you coming from? Tell me more about you, your practice, what's your story?"

The gallery was set up with a different vision. Possibly in the most indie cryptoart style, aka the best vision. Maximalism in art. No white wall. Art. Art. Art. From all over.

I opted for showing my most recent piece, where @Abelwares and @JLArtsphere made a massive difference in my presentation. They helped me build the frame for the piece on the spot. A massive thanks to these legends.

@A_Giant_Swan, an absolutely amazing artist, was my neighbor on the wall and we quickly hit it off. Good laughs throughout the weekend. (Many more amazing neighbours, but too many to name)

Marfa is different from every event I've been to in this space. Not only because of its people. But because of its layout. An event like this could never happen in NYC or Singapore. Not because the cities are not dope. But because they are too large to be intimate.

The journey here acts as a filter, as @seanbonner said to me. Genuine people make their way here. @LeValleyKelly @deltasauce @natealex (and again, so many more, efteling people, skater man pls comment) To finally see each other after many years of hiding behind the screen.

Conversations hit an emotional snare for me, as with @MattKaneArtist and @MathieuFrance, who both gave me insightful advice and thoughts to ponder.

The art was the conversation. But the connection felt here was genuine. Real. Something I have found hard to come by.

I realised that this online world we live in is hardly a representation of us. I think this algorithm divides us.

But this event has shown me what actually matters in this space.

And let me tell you, it's not the floor price. It's not the number go up. It's not the supply. The demand. It's not the rarity. It's not even the art.

Part 2 below.

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@marka_eth Big Love. Let’s go.

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@dutchtide @GTSewell Big love homie! Such a great weekend

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@Webmxzora @artblocks_io @creepz @ArtBasel Iconic!

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@Swickie Thank you @Swickie

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

@cryptopeng1 🫶🏻

[Abel Rodgers @Abelwares]

Plastic Cactus, Marfa, Kittens, Baseball, and Artblocks

[Downs & Towns 📷 @DownsandTowns]

AWESOME!!! 🕺💕

[Jumbo ( Spectro ) @jumbo_j7]

Tiny Viking by Moonlight

[ᴾᵉⁿᵍ¹ @cryptopeng1]

Authorities are out
Careful out there guys