Adidas unveils Web3 artist residency program with exclusive NFT drop

Adidas steps firmly into the digital art world with the launch of “Residency by Adidas” — a global digital artist in residency program. The initiative, announced by Adidas /// Studio, aims to spotlight and elevate digital artists, with the inaugural event kicking off this September during Korea Blockchain Week in Seoul.

The inaugural digital artwork sale from the residency will spotlight two artists: the enigmatic MonkeeMoto and Adra Kandil (aka Dear Nostalgia). Both artists will have their works featured in limited and open edition Ethereum NFT artwork mints. 

MonkeeMoto, based in Tokyo, is a creative force in game development and digital concept design, while Lebanese artist Kandil combines photography, collages, typography, and digital montages, boasting past collaborations with luxury brands such as Cartier, Chanel, and Gucci.

The residency's goal, according to Adidas, is to provide a stage for digital creative talent to showcase their work and collaborate with the sportswear giant. This collaboration extends beyond the digital, with plans for physical items in the pipeline.

Stacey King, the Global Head of Communications and Activations for Adidas /// Studio, sees the project as a significant step in the studio's engagement with the Web3 community, building on their previous NFT ventures with connected apparel and NFT artwork at events in Berlin and New York City.

The limited edition NFT drop will consist of just 100 works per artist, priced at 0.15 ETH (around $250) each and exclusively available to attendees of the Seoul event. Each purchase comes with a distinctive physical hoodie. The open edition NFT drop will be priced at 0.03 ETH (approximately $50), available for anyone to mint with no purchase limit during the sale period, which will run from September 6 to September 11.