We are excited to introduce the third article in our series, Art Blocks Collector Spotlight. Through individual collector spotlights, we explore the connections forged between collectors, artists, and the extraordinary pieces that form the essence of Art Blocks.

The journey of each collector unveils a facet of our community’s shared enthusiasm and the profound impact of Art Blocks in cultivating a vibrant culture around digital artistry.

We’re excited to showcase longtime collector, Matt Miller, perhaps better known by his Twitter persona, balon.eth. Matt started his career in real estate and finance but always had a passion and enthusiasm for art. Discovering digital art, and generative art, in particular, made him realize he wanted to collect more seriously and work in the sector full-time. This led him to join Metaversal, where he conducts research and helps inform investment decisions and leads a number of art-related initiatives within the company.

Art Blocks: What initially drew you to Art Blocks, and how has your appreciation for it evolved since your first acquisition?

‍Matthew Miller: I've always had a passion for collecting art, long before I even knew NFTs existed. While going down an internet rabbit hole during COVID, I stumbled upon Art Blocks, and it immediately clicked for me. I could see a world where, as digital ownership becomes more commonplace, and so much of our existence and identity resides online, digital art would have an important place in everything. The most pleasant surprise to me since acquiring my first piece has been the community aspect. This was not something I gave much thought to when I initially began collecting on Art Blocks, but it has really been such a treat to meet so many wonderful people through this collecting journey. It has really helped heighten my appreciation for what is taking place here and has amplified my conviction in things moving forward.

AB: Which Art Blocks piece in your collection holds the most sentimental value, and what’s the story behind it?

‍MM: It's very difficult for me to narrow it down to just one piece in my collection, but if I had to pick one it is Meridian #638 for me. It was a combination of luck and conviction which led me to acquire it. I remember spending lots of time previewing the algorithm, and looking over all of the test outputs Matt DesLauriers shared prior to the drop. After the project minted out, I immediately began scouring the secondary market for pieces. At no point had I seen the charcoal trait prior to the drop happening, so when I saw it pop up on secondary it was love at first sight. I was very lucky to have 12 ETH in the wallet I was buying from, as it was listed for 11.6 ETH. In addition to its undeniable aesthetic beauty, it also holds sentimental value for me because I love spending time in the mountains, and it takes me to a place where I am most happy every time I look at it on my wall.

AB: How do you decide which Art Blocks pieces to add to your collection? Are there specific artists or themes you gravitate towards?

‍MM: “The wall test” is my most common measuring stick for evaluating pieces. I ask myself the question “would I hang this on my wall?” every time I buy a piece. Beyond that, I find composition to be extremely important within a piece, but it's not something that is an exact science, I have to lean on my eye for aesthetics. My background in photography has been an extremely valuable asset to me when evaluating art. Another thing I really look for is innovation within a project. How is this project pushing the boundary of what's possible with this new medium?

AB: How do you envision the future of Art Blocks and the larger generative art community unfolding? Are there any trends or shifts you’re excited about?

MM: I'm really looking forward to digital display technology improving in the coming years. As someone who loves ordering prints of my Art Blocks pieces and hanging them on my wall so I can enjoy them at home, I would like to be able to do the same with the dynamic works I own, but haven't found a good solution yet. I think once proper displays for digital art become more accessible, we will see heightened interest in the medium itself. There is no substitute for experiencing art in real life, and it will help immensely with onboarding new interest into the space.

AB: For newcomers looking to start their own Art Blocks collection, what advice or insights would you offer from your journey so far?

‍MM: The advice I most often give to people is to take your time! It's much easier now when the market is much more quiet, so I encourage people to take advantage of this, spend more time building relationships, and having conversations with artists to better understand their work. Don't just buy something because someone else bought it. Collect something because it resonates with you. Try to take the financial component out of your evaluation. If you buy something because you like it, and not because you expect it to be worth more, you will never be faced with regret.

AB: Where can people follow you and see your Art Blocks collection?

‍MM: You can find me on Twitter at @balon_art and you can view my curated permanent collection on Gallery.