Artvertising: pixel ads become physical

In the early days of digitalization many metaphors from the physical world were translated to the digital world; think desktop folders, trashcan and shopping cart. Now we have reached the point where digital technology has become so omnipresent, that we start seeing activities in the opposite direction.

With the Artvertising project, the Milliondollar homepage is translated to the physical world. Upon the success of Milliondolar homepage, an online concept created by 20 year old minipreneur Alex Tew, we’ve seen millions of copies online. Last June the design department of the Amsterdam based artschool Sandberg Institute announced something different: they sell their building facade with the same pixel based concept.

The idea was conceived by Sandberg student Teun Castelein. A project in the blend between cyberspace & physical space, art & commerce, public space & private business. Over 300 companies, artists and institiutions bought a share of the 15000 tiles on the building facade.

The sale is now closed. The installation of the pixelfacade started two weeks ago and tiles are added every day. The official opening will take place on December 2nd.

The Artvertising building team.

Early pictures of the pixelfacade under construction