This month, Edgar Plans launches the NFT collection “Lil’ Heroes” with Curatible and Exile. The metaverse debut for the Spanish contemporary artist includes 7,777 unique NFTs, over 150 unique attributes, and 50 legendary artworks.
The collection revolves around Plans’s mouse-eared characters—including Artist Hero—who he uses to explore themes around politics, society, gender, climate change, and more through youthful vivacity, bold colors, and adventurous scenes.
Courtesy of Misha Made.
“We are creating a bridge between traditional art and the digital world. We are happy to collaborate with a contemporary artist like Edgar Plans to help him with the transition into NFTs,” said Massine Benoukaci, CEO and co-Founder of Curatible. “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Exile to combine our expertise and build a real community, franchise, and project around Edgar.”
The launch will be followed by exclusive merch, a charity auction, an animation series, and more. Whitewall caught up with Plans, whose work is currently on view at Almine Rech in Brussels, to hear about his foray into digital art.
WHITEWALL: What was the starting point for the “Lil’ Heroes” collection?
EDGAR PLANS: It all started with the idea of making an audiovisual project on one side, and a limited series of NFT artwork on the other. The two companies have then merged into a great common project that we will reveal this month and that will be a first in the virtual world.
Courtesy of Curatible.
WW: How does the collection reflect your work over the past decade?
EP: During my last decade of work, I have produced different and very varied series, both in style, technique, and material. As an artist, I must be free when creating, without ties, without limitations of styles and techniques. I went from an abstract and minimalist series on food to a colorful and figurative world of Martians that pays homage to the work of Ray Bradbury. And now I’m with my “Animal Heroes.” I have lots of ideas in mind with them and we’ll see where they take me.
WW: What prompted you into bringing the characters from “Lil’ Heroes” into the Metaverse?
EP: It’s a world where my characters can have a life of their own, interact, and establish themselves, since behind each there is a physical person who interacts digitally with the little superhero as an avatar. I’ve always wanted to bring my characters into the animated world. This project not only allows me to do that, but it will also allow the members of the metaverse to have an opinion and to manage what will happen to them in the animated series. The “Lil’ Heroes” community will be able to participate in many projects.
Courtesy of Curatible.
WW: Can you tell us more about your signature character, Artist Hero? What does Artist Hero believe in and defend?
EP: It is a character that I created to criticize the actions of a society that is destroying itself, taking with it our planet and home. They are simple animals being entrusted with superpowers by beings from another planet in order to reintroduce lost values. The superpowers are none other than solidarity, equality, commitment, effort, respect—powers that a society must have to coexist and that we have abandoned because of violence, egoism, thirst for power, racism.
WW: How do you use “Lil’ Heroes” in your work to tackle issues like climate change, racism and gender-based violence?
EP: I always try to approach subjects with a certain touch of hope. For this reason, even if it is a violent or harsh subject, I search through the color and my characters to always see the glass as half-full—to be united, solve the problem, and see what can be changed.
Courtesy of Curatible.
WW: What kind of adventures do you think your work will have in the Metaverse?
EP: The truth is, they are endless. Anything is possible. What I can tell you is that our community will always focus on green projects that preserve our planet, united with renewable energies. We want to be a forward-looking community that helps future generations enjoy the best of the planet.
WW: The launch of the collection is just a starting point. Where do you see it heading now, in avenues like merchandising, brand collaborations, production of animated series, etc.?
EP: These will all be projects designed for the “Lil’ Heroes” community to participate, collaborate, and feel part of something big.
Courtesy of Curatible.
WW: What opportunities has this type of project opened up for your work and practice?
EP: It allows me to reach a lot more people. The art world is more limited and comes with a certain elitism. With this project, I touch the whole world. Younger generations, people far from the world of art, painting, music, cinema. Together we will create fun and emotional things. It will also allow me to continue to be in my studio doing what my body and my soul need—painting. My artistic projects will continue in parallel.
Courtesy of Curatible.
Courtesy of Curatible.
Courtesy of Curatible.
Courtesy of Curatible.
Courtesy of Curatible.
Courtesy of Curatible.
