Last week, I attended London Web3 Week, which included Zebu Live, Frieze London, and a dizzying number of side events.

Last year, Kenny Schachter harshly critiqued Frieze London, labelling it worse than its New York counterpart and far from the level of Art Basel. Every year, Londoners hope for a standout Web3 event on par with NFT Paris or NFC Lisbon. So, is it really that bad? And what does London’s art scene truly offer? Let’s dive in.

Not only do I attend major events like Frieze and Zebu Live, but I also make it a point to explore smaller side events—and even organize my own. This year, I visited the newly opened Moco Museum, the Asprey Studio’s exhibition by Susan Kare, the Viv Arts show, and the FemGen event at the V&A.

‍

Frieze London

While it remains a cornerstone of London’s art scene, the energy felt restrained. I enjoyed several booths featuring artists like Sasha Gordon, Tracey Emin, and Harland Miller. White Cube and David Zwirner seemed to focus on the legends of the art world. Can I criticize Frieze? No. Do I have an art degree? Again, no.

‍

PAD London

Completely different from the other fairs mentioned, PAD stood out for its exceptional design booths. Unlike the classic art fair where galleries present similar works, PAD offers a diverse array of pieces catering to every taste. It was refreshing to see the intersection of art and design play out in such a thoughtfully curated environment.

‍

‍

Zebu Live

Zebu Live kicked off with a VIP reception at Shoreditch House, followed by two packed days of tech-driven conversations, capped off by a keynote from Steven Bartlett, whose company Flight3 organized the event. The overall organization was impressive, and the speakers were top-notch. But is it really fair to compare this event to NFT Paris? Not really. Zebu Live feels more tech-oriented than NFT-focused, so it makes sense to leave NFT Paris in Paris.

‍

‍

‍

Side Events

Evening of Digital Art at Trilitech

I co-organized this event with the Trilitech (Tezos) team, featuring an incredible lineup of artists including Zhannet Podobed, Ana María Caballero, and Cem Hah. It was one of the few in London dedicated to digital art, and we saw it as crucial to bringing this new medium into mainstream conversation.

‍

‍

Asprey Studio Exhibition by Susan Kare

This event kicked off with a private tour, followed by a panel discussion the next day. Susan Kare’s artwork — comic-like pieces evoking deep feelings of anxiety, fun, and introspection — was beautifully displayed alongside physical posters and jewelry, making the exhibition a standout.

‍

W1 Curates Presenting Seedphrase’s Curation

A big shoutout to W1 Curates for hosting events that felt like easygoing parties rather than typical networking sessions. This was one of the few events where I could relax, dance, and stop constantly introducing myself. Exceptional DJing by Matt Medved from NFT Now elevated the vibe.

‍

‍

Conclusion

I understand the criticism from Web3 enthusiasts about the lack of a pure, tech-focused conference in London. However, in my experience, London is the only city where art, design, tech, digital art, and blockchain communities seamlessly converge. Is that something to appreciate? Absolutely.

‍