Gabriel Whaley is the Founder & CEO at MSCHF
Originally founded in 2016
MSCHF is a creative art collective and internet studio known for its innovative and unconventional projects. The name "MSCHF" is a playful take on the word "mischief," which reflects the group's ethos of challenging norms and pushing boundaries through art and technology.
Founded in 2016 by Gabriel Whaley, MSCHF gained popularity for its unique and often controversial art installations, online experiences, and limited-edition products. Their projects often blend elements of humor, social commentary, and pop culture to create engaging and thought-provoking experiences.
The collective operates as a decentralized team of artists, designers, and developers, often collaborating with other creators, brands, and musicians to bring their projects to life. They have gained a dedicated online following and are known for their surprise drops and limited-edition releases, which often sell out quickly.
MSCHF's work challenges conventional notions of art, consumerism, and internet culture, and their projects often spark discussions and debates about the role of art in the digital age. While some of their projects have faced criticism and legal challenges, MSCHF continues to thrive as a provocative and influential force in the contemporary art world.
MSCHF is founded by Gabriel Whaley as a creative art collective and internet studio. The name is derived from "mischief," reflecting the group's disruptive and unconventional approach to art and projects.
MSCHF starts gaining attention with their early projects, which include internet memes, digital art installations, and online experiences that challenge traditional norms.
The collective begins collaborating with various artists, brands, and musicians to create unique and limited-edition products and experiences. Their work starts to gain a dedicated online following.
MSCHF gains widespread recognition for their "Jesus Shoes" project, which involves customizing Nike Air Max 97 sneakers with holy water from the River Jordan. The shoes go viral and sell out almost immediately.
The group continues to push boundaries with their projects. They launch "Finger on the App," a mobile app challenge where participants must keep their finger on the screen to win a cash prize. The challenge attracts millions of players and generates significant media attention.
Their most famous release however was their blur money stack.
MSCHF releases the controversial "Satan Shoes" in collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X. The shoes, which feature satanic imagery and a drop of human blood in the sole, spark widespread debate and legal challenges from Nike.
They pretty much broke the internet by releasing a pair of Big Red Boots.
The collective announces a transition to a decentralized structure, allowing artists and creators from around the world to participate in MSCHF projects. They continue to release a series of surprise drops and limited-edition products that capture the attention of the art and internet communities.
The best release of 2023 is definitely the "Microscopic Louis Vuitton Bag"; a nearly invisible little speck that's actually a remarkably accurate rendering of a Louis Vuitton On The Go handbag.
They released a new AI tool as well. Sort of like a chat but MSCHF-style.
And also one giant cereal loop of Fruit Loop.