Case study / Denver Walls

Blockchain and art merge

The power of Web3 in action to create an unforgettable experience at DENVER WALLS Festival, connecting artists, visitors, and local businesses.

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Client

Denver Walls Festival

Industry

Urban art

Services

Experience design
Hardware design and fabrication
Application design and Development
Onsite staff training
Marketing

Overview

Here at COZ, we see blockchain not just as infrastructure, but as a creative tool. So when the team behind DENVER WALLS asked how Web3 could enhance a public art experience, we knew the answer wasn’t about complexity—it was about connection. By blending technology with culture, we helped transform an open-air mural festival into a city-wide digital journey, bringing together artists, visitors, and local businesses through intuitive, on-chain interactions.

Challenge

Gaining the competitive edge

During Consensus 2023, while our team was running the OneBand activation [link to Consensus 2023 case study], we had the pleasure of welcoming Ally Grimm, founder and director of DENVER WALLS Festival, and Sage Davis, marketing and social media manager for the event, to the Neo Blockchain booth.

DENVER WALLS is an immersive art festival that showcases murals, projection mapping, and augmented reality from both local and international artists. It takes place annually in Denver’s RiNo Art District and is part of WORLD WIDE WALLS, an internationally renowned street art festival founded by Jasper Wong in 2010.

Having previously worked closely with the ETH Denver community and being well-versed in blockchain, they appreciated how intuitive and engaging the Consensus booth experience was. During the conversation, one question arose: How can we integrate blockchain into a street art festival to create a completely unique experience for visitors?
We saw an opportunity to use NFI technology to create an interactive visit, with gamification elements that connected murals, artists, and the community.

That’s how this partnership began, and in October of that year, we launched the first activation using ITEM Systems' Non-Fungible Item (NFI) technology. In 2024, we were back for another edition.

Solution

Rising to the challenge

The 2023 edition introduced, and the
2024 edition expanded, the concept of a
"mural trail" stretching across Denver's
RiNo Art District.

The 2023 edition introduced, and the 2024 edition expanded, the concept of a "mural trail" stretching across Denver's RiNo Art District.

Each mural was accompanied by a bronze plaque featuring information about the artists and sponsors—fairly standard so far.

The key difference was that the plaques were embedded with NFI chips, connecting them to the Neo Blockchain. This made the plaques scannable, allowing visitors to check in at each mural with just a tap on their phones, while also presenting detailed information about the artwork and the artist. Each registered stop granted a green badge confirming the authenticity of the visit.

To find the next mural, visitors could consult the web app, featuring an interactive map developed by our team. This eliminated the need for downloads or unnecessary steps, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience.

NFI Plaque

Web Application

To create an even more special experience, we launched an activation connecting the festival with local businesses, fostering a closer bond between the audience and local attractions. In partnership with the local brewery Ratio Beerworks, anyone who presented 2 scans on their phone received a free beverage.

The campaign ran in both 2023 and 2024 and opened up even more possibilities for other businesses to offer discounts and deals in future editions.

We also developed a very straightforward waypoint redemption software, which can be easily integrated at the counter, requiring minimal technical setup and staff training.

Results

Exceeded expectations

The murals and plaques create an impact that extends well beyond the festival's duration.

The plaques serve as permanent installations, allowing visitors to engage with the murals long after the event. Powered by a dynamic web application, the plaques can be continuously updated to unlock future immersive experiences, enriching the cultural landscape of Denver and supporting local Web3 events.

All interactions were seamlessly conducted on the N3 Mainnet, with no visible indication that blockchain technology was being used, ensuring an intuitive and user-friendly experience.

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