“Digital is today’s tool that enables the greatest opportunity for free expression”
An interview with Marc Billings, founder and CEO of Blackdove
by Anna Seaman
Q: How did Black Dove start?
A: In 2002 while visiting Art Basel I fell in love with the moving image artwork from Giles Hendrix. Raw, using the technologies of our time and unapologetically digital, the work symbolised the new generation of artists that would come after him. My co-founder Marisa and I were collecting and engaging in this new medium and built Blackdove for our own use. Only over time as the medium began to grow, did our friends and family begin to ask for our software for their own homes and offices and eventually the company was born. It has been a journey of love and support for all involved.
Q: Why do you think it was a success?
A: It would be wonderful to take credit for any of the success, but truly the artists and their vision to create a more beautiful and meaningful future are the only ones to credit. Marisa and I simply were listening to the needs of the community in building the Blackdove platform to meet their requirements. The incredibly dedicated team of technologists that have contributed to the Blackdove platform should also have their time in the spotlight for building the incredible tools that are now available for the world to use to enjoy digital art.
Q: What is the difference between a digital canvas and a TV screen?
A: Digital moving image art requires a very specific set of hardware features to have a proper experience, none of which are available in a consumer television. This includes a local hard drive, around-the-clock operating capabilities, native portrait orientation, matte finish otherwise known in the industry as ‘haze’, thin bezels, autoboot to artwork, no visible logos, and remote support management. A display that meets Blackdove’s standards must have these features which is how the Digital Canvas designation and product line-up has been developed. We have recently launched a new site dedicated to the best displays in the market which can be found at digitalcanvas.blackdove.com. On this site we will list and compare the best new displays coming to market.
Q: How has the explosion of the NFT / crypto space affected your business?
A: The incredible community surrounding Web3 should get full credit for adopting digital art as a medium. Tokenization of digital assets has unlocked the ‘ownership’ of digital art in a way that resembles traditional physical ownership of assets, creating the missing link between the asset classes. The concepts of digital art and crypto are cousins, related by blood in digital technology, however they still have their own unique identities. It will be interesting to see how the relationship continues over the coming years.
Q: Does Blackdove have a physical gallery space?
A: While Blackdove’s software is gallery agnostic, we maintain an exhibition space in Miami which serves us to test new technologies, develop experiences and push the edge of this incredible new medium. Our mission is to enable all galleries and collectors to have a digital art management platform that serves their requirements. Our newest gallery partner NFT Gallery is launching in NYC this month, please come by.
Q: How do you select your artists?
A: Our focus as a platform has been exclusively on moving image digital artists focused on digital tools and software as the source of the creation. We have represented over 500 artists in various ways throughout the past and work hard to stick by a few critical guidelines that include fixed camera position, seamlessly looping experiences and original ideas. As any gallery or platform, our goal has been to provide a voice to artists working in the medium of the highest quality.
Q: Do you think the shift to digital is here to stay or is there still room for physical art experiences?
A: Digital art is an incredible form of artistic expression, but only one form of art. For the moment in time that we are in, digital is clearly the intellectual opportunity to discover ideas previously locked in single frames. The human consciousness will always stretch to express itself in its maximum capabilities. Digital is today’s tool that enables the greatest opportunity for free expression.
Q: Tell us about your recent trip to the UAE with MORROW collective and the UAE Embassy in Washington DC. What are your opinions on the NFT art scene in the UAE and the Middle East?
A: One should be so grateful to have opportunities such as that presented by MORROW collective and the UAE Embassy team. Unless you visit the region, it would be easy to miss the magic that is happening in the wonderful cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Cultures are merging, curiosities are being fulfilled and you cannot ignore the wonderful vision of the Emirati leadership. I was personally captivated by the incredible graciousness of our hosts with special thank you to our guide Dana Al Marashi. Her generosity and welcoming nature are a beacon for the region. The region’s art scene is clearly beginning to take root and there is no limit to the artistic opportunities. NFTs and digital art seem particularly well suited to the region given its visionary focus on building a society of tomorrow. Blackdove is committed to this region and we look forward to a long-term presence.
Q: What does the future hold for Black Dove? Can we hope to see more of you in Dubai?
A: Dubai is designated as one of our top markets for 2023 and we are grateful to be working with great people like MORROW. Our hope is to build a wonderful platform for digital artists to distribute and sell works in the incredible real estate projects being built in the region. And to enjoy the wonderful Dubai community and country while we are there.
