Event Date:
November 2nd, 2024

Hosted by:
Meta Betties x De Gods

Location:
The Canvas 3.0 at the Oculus
Westfield World Trade Center
185 Greenwich St #4405
New York, NY

*Meta Betties x De Gods in New York City with performance piece Red Meat. Photographer:* *Josh Sauceda*

Timed just days before today’s election, Meta Betties’ performance piece, “Red Meat,” reimagined Yoko Ono’s iconic “Cut Piece” from 1965 into a contemporary statement on women’s rights and agency at The Canvas in New York City on November 2nd. The piece aimed to inspire action among viewers, emphasizing the importance of voting and highlighting the political stakes for women’s rights in today's society. The event also presented De Gods, one of the most prominent and influential NFT collections.

The “Red Meat” performance began with two squares taped in red on the floor, each representing isolation and societal boundaries. In one square, Meta Betties recreated Ono's "Cut Piece" to symbolize the passive role imposed on women. In the other square, a Bettie wrapped in red tape embodied the restrictions society places on women's rights and bodies.

As the performance continued, the two women broke free from their confined spaces and united. A Bettie in red tape held a flogger, while another delivered a powerful monologue, underscoring the reality of women’s ongoing fight for equality. The rhythm of spanks punctuated sobering statistics on reproductive rights, domestic violence, workplace harassment, and gender inequality. Each phrase ended with a spank, creating a visceral cadence that heightened the emotional impact.

It Read:

“Over 19 million (spank).... women (spank).... in the United States (spank).... live in contraceptive deserts (spank).... without access (spank).... to birth control (spank).

One in four (spank).... women (spank).... in America (spank).... will experience domestic violence (spank).... in their lifetime (spank)

Every year (spank).... over 2 million (spank).... women (spank).... face sexual harassment (spank).... in the workplace (spank, spank).

Only 10% (spank).... of executive positions (spank).... are held by women (spank).... in Fortune 500 companies (spank, spank).

Every day (spank).... in the United States (spank).... 800 women (spank).... are denied or restricted (spank).... in their reproductive rights (spank, spank).

Women, on average (spank).... earn 82 cents (spank).... for every dollar (spank).... earned by men (spank).... resulting in a lifetime wage gap (spank).... of over one million dollars (spank).

Women make up 30% (spank).... of state legislatures (spank).... nationwide, leaving their voices significantly underrepresented in policymaking (spank).

Women. Vote.

Your Life Depends On IT

Spank

At this moment, a figure resembling former President Donald Trump approached, presenting a raw steak to the Bettie on the spanking bench. She took it and brought it to a table where the rest of the Betties awaited. As she cut the steak, the Bettie wrapped in red tape ripped it off, symbolizing a release from constraints, and joined the others. Together, they ate the steak in a symbolic act of reclaiming agency.

The performance concluded with a symbolic gesture: after sharing the steak, they deposited the remainder into a voting envelope labeled “Future.” As "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by The Puppini Sisters and "The Pill" by Loretta Lynn played, the Betties tossed pieces of meat at a voting ballot box, conveying the urgent need for women to have an impactful say in their future.

Meta Betties isn’t your typical digital art collective. As Artists in Residence at The Canvas 3.0, they merge art and activism, using cutting-edge technology to amplify their message. This residency, running through 2025, offers a unique stage for Meta Betties to create art that challenges societal norms and drives cultural conversations.

Read our interview with Blakelee Pieroni to learn more about Meta Betties.

Meta Betties is gearing up to release a 2,500-piece NFT collection on Solana, fusing art with cultural satire. Exclusive OnlyFans-style performance art, accessible only to NFT holders, will showcase conceptual short films that explore themes from their collectibles. Community members will earn XP, participate in a leaderboard, and even receive airdropped brand assets based on engagement.

Through this residency, Meta Betties host on-chain art experiences in real life throughout their exhibits. These culminate with original performances that connect directly to the event’s theme. Each live, trans-media performance brings out the gamified experience that the community loves, blending physical and digital in a true Meta Betties way.

Upcoming Programming

DeGods Mixer (November 2nd)

Meta Betties co-hosted an unforgettable art party with DeGods, one of the most influential NFT collections in the space. The event featured a dynamic digital exhibit, a DeGods PFP casting station for holders, engaging speaker panels, live-streamed VR gaming displays, and an immersive Meta Betties crypto art performance. To commemorate this groundbreaking collaboration, attendees received a special event token.

Reclaim the Chain Group Exhibition (November 23rd)

This event will highlight the work of 250 women-identifying crypto artists through a digital and immersive display. At the closing reception, Meta Betties will unveil an original, trans-media performance piece, available exclusively to members on their presale allow list. This performance will honor the strength and influence of women in the transformative crypto space.

Art Basel Miami (December 4-6th)

Meta Betties will bring their impactful "Red Meat" installation and live performance to several Art Basel events, including the Satellite Art Show, Nolcha Shows, and BitBasel’s “Unveiling Art’s Horizon.” These performances will engage audiences and push the boundaries of art and activism.

Launch Party (Mid-December)

The launch of Meta Betties’ highly anticipated NFT collection will be celebrated with a cross-reality party. This event will feature live activations, interactive giveaways, and a fusion of digital and physical art experiences. It will mark the official introduction of Meta Betties’ digital collectible, uniting their community for an exciting celebration.

Meta Betties is redefining what it means to create art in the digital age, making every exhibit and NFT drop a call to action. Stay tuned for more exciting experiences as they continue to bring art, activisim, and social engagement together.

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