Artworld Guide¶

Modeling the Artworld¶

In the world of art, many different players come together to create a thriving and dynamic industry. In order to keep track of all of these players and their actions, a model of the artworld outlines the different entities and agents involved in the world of art, as well as the different activities and roles that they play.

Modeling an `Artwork` and `ArtworkDetails` and the Output¶

At the center of this model are two key entities: Artwork and ArtworkDetails. Artwork refers to the actual physical art piece, while ArtworkDetails provides more information about the piece, such as its title and description.

In our Chronicle domain specification these entities are captured as:

entities:
  Artwork:
    attributes:
      - Title
  ArtworkDetails:
    attributes:
      - Title
      - Description

These entities can be defined in Chronicle using GraphQL like so:

mutation {
  defineArtworkEntity(
    externalId: "salvatormundi"
    attributes: { titleAttribute: "Salvator Mundi" }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
  defineArtworkDetailsEntity(
    externalId: "salvatormundidetails"
    attributes: {
      titleAttribute: "Salvator Mundi"
      descriptionAttribute: "Depiction of Christ holding a crystal orb in his left hand and making the sign of the blessing with his right hand."
    }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "defineArtworkEntity": {
      "context": "chronicle:entity:salvatormundi",
      "txId": "9c9748a7217818b7c8ba5e6c8699a50545a0888ddbf299738c8cc539e29e808d7fdace9ea8a376a495d9718fdfca46e1849306588943b4bd29d33a67e324b0e2"
    },
    "defineArtworkDetailsEntity": {
      "context": "chronicle:entity:salvatormundidetails",
      "txId": "ebd9363f7efe3194e42d153e0c436e152e4c4ce3096117df47458c38683e5cb4707eeb28a2309a8a6f9cf025ef0d36e630a4acd0e2ab752cbadb7d951046d1d9"
    }
  }
}

Modeling a `Collector` and an `Artist` and the Output¶

The agents in this model are Collector and Artist, both of whom play crucial roles in the art world. Collectors purchase and amass collections of art, while artists create new works of art. Both kinds of agent might well be involved in exhibiting and selling works of art.

In our Chronicle domain specification these entities are captured as:

agents:
  Collector:
    attributes:
      - Name
  Artist:
    attributes:
      - Name

Defining these agents in Chronicle using GraphQL looks like this:

mutation {
  defineCollectorAgent(
    externalId: "collector471"
    attributes: { nameAttribute: "Dmitry Rybolovlev" }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }

  defineArtistAgent(
    externalId: "artist001"
    attributes: { nameAttribute: "Leonardo da Vinci" }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "defineCollectorAgent": {
      "context": "chronicle:agent:collector471",
      "txId": "22400f32dba9bd2735ff455440f9b136bab1d53720d1be7526d3730a7711ab5a1dfef8539f7edb9a9a94c4466c03746a5d7de00acc0196175596575095f5beb3"
    },
    "defineArtistAgent": {
      "context": "chronicle:agent:artist001",
      "txId": "98252f9cebe03bfe98a5f3a8bd45bf19dfe0dad00b2aeb7b5c93ff407a9b0c4f710f40f03114730affdfb0899c290c6d1115b010554953f96c51a04b84bf11c2"
    }
  }
}

Finally, the model also outlines the different activities that take place within the artworld, including exhibiting, creating, and selling. Created refers to the act of creating a new piece of art, while Exhibited refers to the display of an artwork in a public space. Sold refers to the transaction between a collector and an artist, in which the collector purchases the artwork for a certain amount of money.

Modeling `Created`, `Exhibited`, and `Sold` and the Output¶

In our Chronicle domain specification these activities are modeled like this:

activities:
  Exhibited:
    attributes:
      - Location
  Created:
    attributes:
      - Title
  Sold:
    attributes:
      - PurchaseValue
      - PurchaseValueCurrency

Here is a mutation defining these activities in Chronicle using GraphQL:

mutation {
  defineCreatedActivity(
    externalId: "salvatormundi"
    attributes: { titleAttribute: "Salvator Mundi" }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
  defineExhibitedActivity(
    externalId: "salvatormundiprado"
    attributes: {
      locationAttribute: "Prado Museum"
    }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
  defineSoldActivity(
    externalId: "saleofsalvatormundi"
    attributes: {
      purchaseValueAttribute: "450000000"
      purchaseValueCurrencyAttribute: "USD"
    }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "defineCreatedActivity": {
      "context": "chronicle:activity:salvatormundi",
      "txId": "e867b19f5a6fb8b32c2f4467f46f63eadff505576fb85deed07698001ac7c8264b17ba46a2695c9514fb1cd0c480f19272f9325cc7231e75a99d9b9addacf7e6"
    },
    "defineExhibitedActivity": {
      "context": "chronicle:activity:salvatormundiprado",
      "txId": "a04a00d330a72e6b27c1da219441462312c8f02cd4f09cc14ed8fdd013b6aab6668488909f4d9dcb4b477b80c097df97f100118568033d9177ce4a47bcdbc550"
    },
    "defineSoldActivity": {
      "context": "chronicle:activity:saleofsalvatormundi",
      "txId": "07eb5003511a5c73cd658ce4b534c15aef296f289b0488e9e7ced1b4006b28982e49de346e845fc5d1c908d3af9595fd2bbfd64029f831594ca1302d3222770e"
    }
  }
}

Modeling the Artworld

Recording the Artworld¶

With this model in place, it is possible to keep track of the different events and transactions that occur within the artworld. For example, when a new artwork is created, this event can be recorded as a Created activity, with the artist and the title of the artwork both noted. Similarly, when an artwork is sold, this can be recorded as a Sold activity, along with details of the buyer and the purchase price.

Recording Associations of Artworld Agents with Artworld Activities and the Output¶

mutation {
  wasAssociatedWith(
    responsible: { externalId: "artist001" }
    activity: { externalId: "salvatormundi" }
    role: CREATOR
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "wasAssociatedWith": {
      "context": "chronicle:agent:artist001",
      "txId": "c79317a4e7d0c685c946f6b2bebed891b862cad0d0138edc92240560d60c1dec2d9a48e99027d633b5d5b2bb19cd39d5f4eab6c60c16ee88ef7706730177c4fe"
    }
  }
}

mutation {
  wasAssociatedWith(
    responsible: { externalId: "collector471" }
    activity: { externalId: "saleofsalvatormundi" }
    role: SELLER
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "wasAssociatedWith": {
      "context": "chronicle:agent:collector471",
      "txId": "c15682f289153b1726b53be678081168dd6900051d8e32387633367403c512560ef4ace45f7c9991c83d8a27158b41d3f32d3ffd0cbbb84c60d10c49abbf9622"
    }
  }
}

Recording Use of Artworld Entities in Artworld Activities and the Output¶

mutation {
  wasGeneratedBy(
    activity: { externalId: "salvatormundi" }
    id: { externalId: "salvatormundi" }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "wasGeneratedBy": {
      "context": "chronicle:entity:salvatormundi",
      "txId": "f5e858671e5d57b6a00b95e7014dccb6b6c7cf45dfe9b6acbfc62b137a7d3e1d1c1131e56a44a012b3802aebba91917c60c254568c95409cb8c1456204b4b9b1"
    }
  }
}

mutation {
  used(
    activity: { externalId: "saleofsalvatormundi" }
    id: { externalId: "salvatormundi" }
  ) {
    context
    txId
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "used": {
      "context": "chronicle:entity:salvatormundi",
      "txId": "c591a30a412c53bfe86b0f146fba800ed00d79e9e9650821379a761019fa1236386a1ddb2b00a2fe23de099face3e72e7faad6f31bff719eaf4be2bbd0379db5"
    }
  }
}

This is only one example, but by writing provenance data to a blockchain, we can establish a comprehensive and irrefutable record of all activities and movements within the artworld. This not only provides valuable insights into the history of the artworld, but also holds the power to revolutionize the industry by promoting transparency. With this data easily accessible, collectors and artists alike will be able to confidently verify the value and authenticity of individual pieces, ultimately enhancing trust in the art market.

Recording the Artworld

Querying the Artworld¶

With a comprehensive record of the artworld in place, it is now possible to query this record and gain insights into the industry. For example, one could query the record to determine the sale prices of artworks created by a particular artist, or to see which artists are exhibiting their works in a particular location.

Querying the Associations of the Sale of an Artwork and the Output¶

query {
  activityById(id: {externalId: "saleofsalvatormundi"}) {
    ...on SoldActivity {
      wasAssociatedWith {
        responsible {
          role
          agent {
            ...on CollectorAgent {
              nameAttribute
              externalId
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "activityById": {
      "wasAssociatedWith": [
        {
          "responsible": {
            "role": "SELLER",
            "agent": {
              "nameAttribute": "Dmitry Rybolovlev",
              "externalId": "collector471"
            }
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

query {
  activitiesByType(activityType: SoldActivity) {
    nodes {
      ... on SoldActivity {
        purchaseValueAttribute
        purchaseValueCurrencyAttribute
        wasAssociatedWith {
          responsible {
            role
            agent {
              ... on CollectorAgent {
                externalId
                nameAttribute
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "activitiesByType": {
      "nodes": [
        {
          "purchaseValueAttribute": "450000000",
          "purchaseValueCurrencyAttribute": "USD",
          "wasAssociatedWith": [
            {
              "responsible": {
                "role": "SELLER",
                "agent": {
                  "externalId": "collector471",
                  "nameAttribute": "Dmitry Rybolovlev"
                }
              }
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

These and many more queries are made possible by the rich data to be recorded about the artworld, including the names and roles of the different agents and entities, as well as the details of each activity that has taken place. The ability to query this data in a multitude of ways opens up a whole new world of understanding about the artworld and its inner workings. By being able to easily see the names, roles, and associations of the different players in the industry, decision making is made all the more informed. Just like the law of the Medes and Persians, the data recorded on a blockchain is unchanging and absolute, giving it a level of permanence and authority like never before.