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Ralph Khoury, a Lebanese artist renowned for his digital artworks and NFTs, was recently honored at the third edition of the prestigious ftNFT YoCerebrum Awards, which celebrate digital art. Nominated in the Best Motion Art NFT category, he won the award with his piece Mind Your Scrolling. Here's a look back at this recognition that highlights the talent of this committed artist.
Previously a jury member for the competition, Ralph Khoury decided this year to participate as a contestant. Unfortunately, administrative complications regarding his visa prevented him from traveling to Malta for the event. Undeterred, he came up with an original solution to still be present at the ceremony. “Last year, I was a jury member," he explains, "but this year, I wanted to participate. Unfortunately, I couldn’t obtain my visa, and I didn’t want the ceremony to happen without me being included in some way. So I asked the organizers if they could print a life-sized 3D portrait of me so I could be physically present and if they would agree to feature me on stage if I won. They accepted... It was quite funny,” the artist told This is Beirut with an amused tone.
This innovative approach reflects the very spirit of the ftNFT YoCerebrum Awards: inclusion and the use of new technologies to push the boundaries of art and participation.
Indeed, the ftNFT YoCerebrum Awards stand out for their ability to celebrate creativity and innovation in various fields, including art, fashion, gaming, and technology projects. Ralph Khoury aligns perfectly with this vision. Through his work and dedication, he embodies the drive to push the limits of digital art.
The award he won represents not only recognition of the quality of his work but also a testament to how digital art, particularly NFTs, can address deep social and human issues. Through his work, he demonstrates that technology can serve as a medium for critical reflections on society. NFTs can be much more than a passing trend; they are a true tool for storytelling and questioning.
Mind Your Scrolling: The Award-Winning Work
The artwork Mind Your Scrolling that earned him the award tells the story of a man on a train, weary from the journey and the waiting it entails. Instead of appreciating the passing scenery, he uses the window as a screen to scroll through a series of digital distractions. The outside world becomes a digital blur, a metaphor for our inability to enjoy the present moment as we get caught up in the whirlwind of technology.
“It’s a reflection on how we live our lives, increasingly obsessed with notifications, newsfeeds, and social media, at the expense of the simple little things that make life beautiful,” Ralph Khoury explains. The animation was created frame by frame, hand-drawn, colored in Photoshop, and finalized in After Effects... A meticulous process that speaks to the depth of the artist’s commitment to his craft.
Mind Your Scrolling reflects on the acceleration of time and the disconnection from reality that characterizes our era. “There’s an old saying, ‘Stop and smell the roses,’ but today, we’re too busy scrolling through digital information to truly appreciate the beauty of the world around us,” notes the artist.
Through this piece, Ralph Khoury invites viewers to step back and reevaluate their relationship with digital distractions and the fast pace of modern life. By winning this award, he also elevates Lebanon’s image, shedding light on its artists and their exceptional talents.
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