Digital Explorations

Non-Fungible Castle

Non-Fungible Castle was born in early 2020. We found ourselves at the exciting crossroads of digitization, not only out of necessity, but also as a tool to enhance and support our non-profit collections and activities. Blockchain technology—with its universal, decentralized, and immutable qualities—offered a compelling opportunity for culture.

To more deeply examine the applications of this emerging technology, we created Non-Fungible Castle. Non-Fungible Castle explores the convergence of the arts with NFTs (non-fungible tokens), blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence as a creative platform and philanthropic tool to restore, preserve, and authenticate cultural heritage.

Launched in 2021, and repeated in 2022, we invited an international group of artists, technologists, thought leaders, and pioneers from the fields of art and technology to Prague where we hosted a conference, cultural program, and an exhibition of NFTs and digital art. Our aim was to harvest knowledge, innovation, and community through enlightening conversation and interactive experiences.

Non-Fungible Castle demonstrates a new use case for creatively and responsibly incorporating blockchain technology into cultural heritage practices. It pioneers a replicable model for other cultural institutions to increase accessibility, deepen relationships with a broader community of patrons and creators, and establish a creative platform to raise restoration funds. At its heart, it pushes the frontiers of what is possible when blockchain technology meets the arts—revolutionizing cultural stewardship in the digital age.

Redefining cultural philanthropy

As part of Non-Fungible Castle, we created Proof of Patronage, a unique philanthropic model that uses blockchain technology to restore, preserve, and authenticate cultural heritage. The Lobkowicz Collections uses NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to represent needed restoration projects. The price of the project is set at the cost of the restoration of the underlying physical work of art. The patron receives an initial NFT of the damaged work of art. After restoration, the patron subsequently receives an additional NFT post-restoration to see the work’s transformation as a result of their patronage, ultimately holding two NFTs: one of the work in its damaged condition and one in its restored condition. This model demonstrates how blockchain technology can not only enhance our experience with art, but also fundamentally transform art patronage and preservation.

*The NFT and the physical work are two separate entities. Holding the NFT does not grant ownership of the physical work.

More About Proof of Patronage

3D Scanning & AI

In 2022, we began exploring the use of 3D scanning technologies as a tool for heritage study, education, and preservation purposes. The benefits of 3D scanning include expanding and enhancing object-based experiential learning, virtual research, wider accessibility, accurate non-invasive data, and a more comprehensive viewing experience through greater precision and dimensionality. The use of this technology can help us and our audiences better understand and engage with the Lobkowicz Collections and heritage sites.

In 2023, we signed a memorandum of cooperation with ČVUT (Czech Technical University) with the shared mission of digitizing the Lobkowicz Collections and making them accessible to the public. The long-term goal is to expand the digital scope of our education and preservation activities on a global scale. In 2024, ČVUT successfully completed a comprehensive 3D scan of Střekov Castle. This digital rendering of the castle complex virtually records its current architectural condition, while also providing a replicable model which can be used for educational, research, and gaming purposes.

We are also exploring the use of AI to support our cataloging and digitization efforts. In 2024, we launched an AI vs. Curator competition to transcribe a 19th-century hand-written inventory from the Lobkowicz Library & Archives. Both participants will be tested for speed and accuracy. Who do you think will win?

Art for well-being

Discover art through yoga. In an effort to alleviate mental and physical stress, and to cultivate moments of tranquility, we designed a series of yoga classes set in the historic galleries of House of Lobkowicz heritage sites. YogArt aims to provide a virtual experience that is both informative and relaxing, all from the comfort of your own home. Each guided session presents a different space that introduces exhibited works of art while you unwind through a series of mindful breathing and gentle yoga movements. Classes are available in both Czech and English and are designed for all ages and levels.

Yoga art