SUMO

In the SUMO series, lens-based artist Peter Nitsch delves into the intersection of photography, design, art and artificial surrealist interpretation and develops the work from a lens-based artist’s point of view. In these depictions we can see how Nitsch deliberately works with mostly rounded and organic forms that may be a reference to Cubism. Nitsch has replaced the hard line geometry for softer edged compositions.

Despite being grounded in the reality of Sumo wrestling, the depictions possess a nostalgic quality. Each work is an homage to the ancient origins and storied art of Sumo and the wrestlers.

Far from being trivial objects, the round, soft bodies of the wrestlers are pure inspiration celebrating a form that deviates from rigid and idealized body shapes. One cannot help but be struck by the stark contrast between the hardness of the Sumo sport and the softness and roundness of the wrestlers’ bodies. These contrasts are expressed throughout Nitsch’s compositions, which are infused with a sense of wonder and energy.

Through his eye and interpretation, he illuminates the intrinsic value and importance of all things in nature, including rocks, mountains, and natural phenomena, which are believed to possess a soul in Shintoism, Japan’s indigenous religion. His art invites us to immerse ourselves in a world of imagination and possibility.

→ The SUMO collection consists of unique, high quality NFT artworks.

→ Only 160 different NFTs SUMO interpretations will be available. Supply of each SUMO: 1/1, plus 24 PFP editions, excluding cooperations. Each SUMO interpretation is different from the others and this makes each of them unique.

There will be 3 SUMO collections:
SUMO (60 x 1/1 AI bw studies I) – started, 48 minted
Contract address: 0xFAAfc944b661326cdC4506e435E6Cd9495a04ae3 (osc)

SUMO SUMO (100 x AI color studies II) – not yet started > will be available soon
Contract address: (tba osc)

SUMO DOHYO (24 x post identity PFP editions) – not yet started > started
Contract address: (tba osc)

SUMO, studies I, bw
(1-12/192)

SUMO, studies II, bw
(13-24/192)

SUMO, studies III, bw
(25-36/192)

SUMO, studies IV, bw
(37-48/192)

SUMO DOHYO

SUMO DOHYO, a limited-edition series exploring the intricate link between identity and performative arenas. These fleeting pictures feature captivating moments of SUMO wrestlers in the DOHYO by freezing time and immortalizing the performances.

The profile pictures tie in with the idea of post-identity in the digital era – experiencing the wrestler’s spirit and embodying the virtues of resilience and determination.

Each SUMO DOHYO NFT depicts a distinct character, demonstrating sumo wrestling’s tremendous diversity. These profile images, which range from the towering Satoshi, OW (Original Wrestler) to the agile Kazuki, serve as metaphorical emblems of strength, honor, and heritage.

The 24 SUMO DOHYO PFP editions are fusing identities, with some Sumo characters based on the digital art collector’s PFPs like Moonbirds or XCOPY – a post identity, CC0.

NO RIGHTS RESERVED. SUMO DOHYO are licensed CC0 — ‘Creative Commons 0’. You are welcome to download any DOHYO artwork and are free to build upon, enhance and reuse the works for any purposes without restriction under copyright or database law. This applies to all individual pieces; it does not apply to collaborations within the SUMO DOHYO series.

The SUMO DOHYO ranks are as follows:

Satoshi, OW (Original Wrestler): The highest rank in SUMO DOHYO. OW wrestlers are considered grand champions and are expected to display exceptional skill, dignity, and leadership both on and off the DOHYO (sumo ring).

Ryujiro: The second-highest rank in SUMO DOHYO. Ryujiro wrestlers are also considered top-ranked sumo wrestlers and are expected to consistently demonstrate strong performances and have the potential to become future Satoshi.

Kenjiro: A prestigious rank below Satoshi and Ryujiro. Kenjiro wrestlers are known as “sekiwake-satoshi” and are generally strong, highly skilled wrestlers who have proven their abilities and are on the path to higher ranks.

Haruki: A rank below Kenjiro. Haruki wrestlers are often considered rising stars or wrestlers who have previously achieved higher ranks but are currently facing challenges. They have the opportunity to prove themselves and regain higher ranks.

Kazuki: The majority of wrestlers in the Kazuki division are ranked as Kazuki.

SUMO DOHYO, PFP editions
(1-24/24)

Exhibitions

2023
SUMO, Space55, curated by An Jong-Hyun, NFT Energy, Seoul, Korea