It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of auteur filmmaker David Lynch at the age of 78. Known for his surreal and original cinematic style, Lynch was not only a pioneer in the film industry but also an experimenter in emerging technologies. One of his lesser-known ventures was his collaboration with the indie rock band Interpol in the realm of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), a project that beautifully melded the worlds of film and music.
In 2021, amid the rapidly evolving landscape of digital assets, Lynch partnered with Interpol to release a distinctive series of audiovisual NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. This collaboration harkened back to a previous artistic endeavor when Lynch created mesmerizing visuals for the band’s performance at Coachella in 2011. These visuals culminated in the animated short film “I Touch A Red Button Man”, which accompanied Interpol’s song “Lights.”
The NFT project revisited this earlier collaboration, bringing forth a series of eight immersive, psychedelic clips that were showcased on rusty television monitors. Each piece served as a digital artifact, capturing Lynch’s signature style while also contributing to the nascent field of digital art. The collection, known as Lynch X Interpol, was released in timed auctions on the platform SuperRare, generating significant buzz in the NFT community.
- First NFT: “I Touch A Red Button”
- Sales Reaction: Enthusiastic collectors quickly took notice, with one NFT selling for 20.7 ETH—equivalent to over $82,000 at that time—within hours of its release.
- Paul Banks’ Statement: “To be frank, Interpol is crazy about David Lynch… We believe that as digital artifacts go, these are worthy of preservation in the infinite digital realm.”
Although Lynch did not continue exploring the world of cryptocurrency or digital art thereafter, his brief engagement with NFTs reflected his broader artistic ethos—a relentless curiosity and a willingness to embrace the strange and new. This project not only highlighted the unique intersection of music and film but also left a lasting impression in the ever-evolving digital art space.
As we remember David Lynch and his extraordinary contributions to art and culture, we’re reminded of his adventurous spirit that extended beyond traditional filmmaking. Lynch’s work resonates with those who appreciate innovation, and his foray into NFTs exemplifies how art can thrive in digital form. His legacy, characterized by creative audacity, continues to inspire current and future generations.