ITEM Systems, a Web3 software engineering company delivering solutions that bridge the physical and digital worlds, is launching a bespoke blockchain-based activation for ETHDenver in collaboration with DENVER WALLS Festival, taking place from February 23rd to March 31st. Through the activation, locals and visitors to Denver can use their smartphone to tap-scan any two of 17 murals across the River North (RiNo) Art District, commissioned through the latest DENVER WALLS Street Art Festival, to redeem rewards at local businesses. The initiative aims to better connect the Web3 community descending on the city for the annual event with local enterprises, artists, and vibrant Denver areas.
Tyler Adams, Cofounder of ITEM Systems, said: “ETHDenver will see a wave of people enter the city – some for the first time – giving Denverites a unique opportunity to showcase all of what the city has to offer. Originally envisioned by the DENVER WALLS team, this convergence of art, technology, business, and community will expose more visitors to the rich culture on offer in burgeoning areas of the city like RiNo.”
ITEM Systems and DENVER WALLS initially joined forces in September 2023 to bring interactive art experiences backed by blockchain to the city of Denver, Colorado. Completed by local and international world-class muralists, each of the 17 unique artworks is paired with a bronze plaque fitted by ITEM Systems that can be scanned by smartphone to reveal more information about the artist and work. These plaques will now also unlock local business rewards. For ETHDenver, ITEM Systems and DENVER WALLS have partnered with local microbrewery Ratio Beerworks to offer customers who have scanned at least two plaques a ‘Buy One Get One’ deal from the beginning of the event through to the end of March.
Jason zumBrunnen, Co-Founder at Ratio Beerworks, said: “The RiNo Art District is a great showcase of creativity in the Mile High City. By partnering with ITEM Systems, we are excited to welcome in visitors for some great beer and music after exploring and interacting with the art of our neighborhoods. As a small business, incorporating this blockchain-backed rewards program is incredibly easy and has the potential for real positive impact for our business.”
Ally Grimm, Street Artist and Director of DENVER WALLS, said: “The goal of DENVER WALLS is to rejuvenate our urban environments and elevate Denver’s reputation for artistic expression and community spirit. What is so encouraging to see is the efforts made by ITEM Systems to extend the impact of this event beyond the initial activation through ongoing collaboration with community partners and businesses to help extend the lifespan and bring fresh eyes to these works of art.”
Hosted by The Smart Economy Podcast and supported by ITEM Systems, a dedicated get-together will take place at Ratio Beerworks on 29th February with additional giveaways and discussions on the ability of blockchain to power impactful, real-world activations. More details are available at: Smart Economy Meetup and via the web-based DENVER WALLS app which includes a map of the 17 mural locations.
About ITEM Systems
ITEM Systems focuses on developing solutions built on non-fungible item (NFI) technology, with potential applications spanning industries including arts, entertainment, luxury goods, gaming, brand activations, financial transactions, verifications, and more. Originating from a collaboration between Web3 software development community COZ and AxLabs, a Swiss-based Web3 software engineering company, ITEM Systems’ goal is to bridge the physical and digital worlds. Its technology serves to generate value for enterprises and users within the NFI ecosystem and further afield, helping to grow the decentralized economy.
ITEM Systems’ focus on bringing blockchain into the real world has led to its creation of OneBand, a physical ring that cryptographically attests ownership and interacts with other applications; customized blockchain-based plaques to verify artwork and enable activities like scavenger hunts; and traceable physical assets, used to display items such as original film frames.
For more information, visit item.systems, or follow ITEM Systems on X and LinkedIn
About DENVER WALLS Festival
This international series of festivals was created by Jasper Wong in an effort to beautify cities and cultivate and build a bridge between local artists and their communities. DENVER WALLS will become a part of the globally recognized WORLDWIDE WALLS (FKA Pow! Wow!) series of street art events, which since 2010 has brought murals to public spaces in 19 international cities like Honolulu, Seoul, Washington DC, Taipei, Doha, and Tokyo. Because of its global presence, WORLDWIDE WALLS has become the top of the mural festival programs. Spaces in the festival are highly sought after by artists and tourists alike.
DENVER WALLS will be woman and immigrant-owned with local artist Ally Grimm (A.L. Grime) spearheading the project. She aims to bring her passion for arts, technology, and equality to the project to reimagine the possibilities for Street Art in our city.
For more information, visit denverwalls.com, or follow DENVER WALLS on Instagram, X, and TikTok