In an era when art meets crypto, Public Masterpiece is emerging as a major force. On October 15, 2025, the company’s COO, Garen Mehrabian, will appear in a high-profile fireside chat on tokenization and art ownership at the Expand North Star event in Dubai. As audiences gather in Dubai Harbour for this marquee tech and innovation festival, the stage is set for a deep dive into how blockchain is reshaping creative property rights.
Why This Talk Matters
Before we explore the details, it’s worth pausing to appreciate why this conversation is so timely. Firstly, as blockchain infrastructures mature, tokenization of physical and digital assets is becoming mainstream. Secondly, questions about provenance, fractional ownership, and secondary markets are no longer theoretical — they are urgent. Thus, when a thought leader like Garen Mehrabian steps into the limelight, the ripple effect can influence artists, collectors, technologists, and regulators alike.
Dubai’s Expand North Star is a fitting backdrop for this discussion. The event—held from October 12 to 15, 2025—serves as a “super connector event” for startups, investors, and global innovators. (Expand North Star) With multiple stages including a dedicated Blockchain Stage, Expand North Star offers an ideal forum for discourse on the convergence of art and Web3. (Expand North Star)
Meet the Speaker: Garen Mehrabian
Garen Mehrabian is a co-founder and COO of Public Masterpiece, a platform that aims to tokenize high-value art and collectible assets. On social media, he describes his mission as “Tokenizing the World one Masterpiece at a Time.” (LinkedIn) He has spoken previously at events such as Istanbul Blockchain Week, discussing tokenization principles and decentralized ownership. (YouTube)
Additionally, his role extends beyond operations: he was recently named UAE Ambassador within the Web3 Evangelist network—reflecting Public Masterpiece’s ambitions in the Middle East. (X (formerly Twitter)) His expertise in bridging traditional art markets and Web3 protocols positions him uniquely to lead this conversation.
What to Expect: The Fireside Chat
The session is slated for October 15, 2025, within the Future Blockchain Summit track at Expand North Star. (Expand North Star) Though full program details are still emerging, the fireside chat is anticipated to cover:
- Tokenization Mechanics — How physical or digital art objects are represented as tokens (NFTs or fractional tokens) on blockchain ledgers
- Ownership Models — From sole ownership to fractional shares, and how rights and revenue share programs function
- Interoperability & Standards — Which blockchains or token standards can best support art assets
- Regulation & Compliance — What legal frameworks are emerging around art tokenization
- Market Liquidity — How tokenized art can be traded, and how secondary markets might evolve
Because it is a fireside chat, the format will allow for candid exchange, follow-up questions, and real-world examples. Attendees may expect back-and-forth dialogue rather than a monologue, which enhances insight and engagement.
Tokenization & Art Ownership: Key Themes
Let’s outline some of the central themes likely to come up, so that readers are prepared and primed for what the chat may reveal.
1. From Physical to Token
One critical challenge is bridging the tangible and the digital. How do you prove that a token truly represents a real painting? This often involves secure custody, verified metadata, and sometimes linking policy-based smart contracts to physical asset storage.
2. Fractionalization and Democratization
Tokenization enables fractional ownership — multiple stakeholders co-owning a piece of art. This lowers entry barriers for collectors, expands liquidity, and allows more participation in “blue chip” art.
3. Rights & Revenue Rights
Beyond ownership, there’s the question of who gets what. Will token holders receive resale royalties, exhibition revenues, or licensing rights? Smart contracts can automate these payments.
4. Standards & Interoperability
Given the diversity of blockchains (Ethereum, Solana, Tezos, Layer 2s, etc.), standards like ERC-721, ERC-1155 or cross-chain bridges will matter. The more interoperable your token, the more flexible your ecosystem.
5. Regulation, Trust & Compliance
Tokenization, especially of high-value assets like art, walks the line between innovation and regulation. Questions over KYC/AML, securities law, IP rights, and cross-border jurisdiction may arise.
6. Secondary Markets & Liquidity
Tokenized art must be tradeable. Whether via NFT marketplaces or decentralized exchanges, establishing smooth secondary markets is crucial for price discovery and value realisation.
Why Dubai & Why Now
Dubai has been aggressively positioning itself as a global hub for blockchain, crypto, and digital asset innovation. The city’s regulatory climate, tax incentives, and investment capital make it an attractive venue for disruptive technologies. (Blockchain App Maker)
At Expand North Star, the intersection of startups, capital, government, and tech is real. Projects combining art, finance, and Web3 are receiving attention from VCs and institutional players. (Medium)
Moreover, with art markets traditionally opaque and centralized, tokenization offers a more transparent, auditable, and fractional model — which aligns with Dubai’s ambitions to lead in the token economy. Therefore, a talk on art tokenization in this geopolitical and tech climate is extremely timely.
How This Affects Artists, Collectors & Platforms
It isn’t just technologists who should care — this dialogue holds direct implications for creators, investors, and platforms.
- Artists can use tokenization to retain royalties, open new revenue arms, validate provenance, and reach global audiences.
- Collectors may gain access to fractional stakes in artworks traditionally reserved for elite buyers.
- Platforms & Marketplaces will need to solve custodial, UX, and compliance challenges to support art tokenization.
- Insurers, Appraisers & Auditors may need to adapt to a world where tokenized assets require new verification, valuation, and risk frameworks.
Thus, the ripple effects of this chat could influence emerging business models for years.
How to Prepare and Engage
If you’re planning to attend Expand North Star (or watch recordings later), here are tips to get the most out of this session:
- Pre-read basic NFT/tokenization concepts (ERC-721, metadata, smart contracts)
- Prepare questions around regulation, fractionalization, and market liquidity
- Network with adjacent talks in the Future Blockchain Summit stream — there’s synergy across topics
- Follow Public Masterpiece and Garen Mehrabian on social media for updates (e.g. LinkedIn, X)
- Search the Expand North Star agenda page closer to October for final venue/time details (Expand North Star)
Potential Challenges & Tough Questions
While the vision is compelling, this arena is fraught with real challenges. Garen Mehrabian will likely be asked:
- How do we ensure physical custody and authenticity?
- Is fractional ownership a security under law?
- What happens if the hosting blockchain fails?
- How can IP rights or copyright be enforced across borders?
- Will tokenization exacerbate inequality or speculation?
Expect nuanced answers: tokenization isn’t a panacea, but with smart design and regulatory bridgework, it can unlock new value.
Closing Thoughts
As Dubai’s Expand North Star 2025 unfolds, the presence of Garen Mehrabian in that fireside chat signals that the artistic dimension of Web3 cannot be ignored. In bringing tokenization, ownership, and art under one roof — metaphorically and physically — this event could mark a turning point.
So whether you’re a technologist, artist, collector, or investor, the conversation on October 15 is one to prioritize. And because the event is global, even those not in Dubai can follow updates, stream sessions, or read recaps afterward. (Be sure to revisit the Expand North Star website and agenda updates.) (Expand North Star)
Finally, if you’d like help drafting promotional copy, social posts, or follow-up coverage for the fireside chat, I’m here to assist — just let me know!
References & Sources
- Expand North Star — official site, event details, agenda (Expand North Star)
- Future Blockchain Summit co-location info (Future Blockchain Summit 2025)
- LinkedIn profile and posts of Garen Mehrabian (LinkedIn)
- Public Masterpiece / Web3 Evangelist announcement (X (formerly Twitter))
- Past talk by Garen on tokenization (Istanbul Blockchain Week) (YouTube)
- Company Instagram mention of panels and tokenization work (instagram.com)
- Medium/BlockchainAppMaker commentary on Expand North Star 2025 trends (Blockchain App Maker)
