Happy 2022... with new NFTs
For Self-managed Artists
NFT, word of the year 2021, opportunity in 2022
In the last days of 2021 I was not surprised to hear that the Collins dictionary declared ‘NFT’ the word of the year. Last year was discovery time though and the great potential of NFTs is et to be explored, since NFTs are the first visible expression of property on the web for many users, and the consequences are huge, bringing an actual change of paradigm for the Internet.
If we consider that NFTs are now possible on Bitcoin, the most secure of blockchains, thank to Stacks, and that there are projects which are already addressing Intellectual Property rights for NFTs, artists-authors cannot afford looking away.
NFTs and traditional artists
I have been asking to several professional artists around me, and very few of these artists, ‘traditional authors’, have visited NFTs marketplaces. I, personally, have been visiting quite a lot of NFTs marketplaces, having a look at all kind of images, listening to some music tracks… and I must say that I have discovered a whole world of new art works and new creators, which make amazing business online, thank to this new payment system. These first creators and collectors of NFTs are opening a new art market, as well as using NFTs as an investing option, almost like financial assets.
As an author and Art-user myself, I sadly see very few pieces created outside of your computer. Most successful NFTs collections are “generative art”, unique pieces created via coding, like programable art. About these type of creations, I have a personal opinion: I admire the skills and ingenuity of their creators, but I miss the human experience I look for in a work of Art.
Of course, this is just my personal understanding of the Art experience. I have always thought of Art as the excellence in the expression and communication of human experience. Art is like a catalyst triggering the connection between creators and recipients, and this through time and space. In this sense, I admit I have seen very few interesting or moving NFTs for me.
So far NFTs are essentially digital collectibles and they are a wonderful first use-case for getting the exchange of creative value started on the web3. This is the great mission they are indeed accomplishing.
A collection of NFTs for Smartists
As a senior illustrator, and today a builder of the web3, I have been considering the opportunity to support Smartists designing a collection of NFTs. My digital editor, Mirlo, suggested we could work on a campaign of collectibles, and so have we.
Our idea is to mint a series of unique MirloS collectibles which will become like a premium ticket for the first users on Smartists. Have a first look in the link below…
Our campaign will start with a giveaway of some MirloS, which will be followed by the launch of the sale.
Having a MirloS will provide you early access to Smartists in special conditions, and it will also be your ticket/passport if you want to participate in the contests we are planning for self-managed writers, visual artists and musicians. This will be our way to invite new professional artists, ‘traditional authors’, to discover, enter and test new opportunities for them on the web.
I have always believed that learning by doing is more fun, and this is why I decided to share my experience as a senior author exploring the new world of NFTs. So participating could be interesting for new artists who are curious but have not yet got started with NFTs.
2022 comes with new ideas to make Smartists progress, and we would love self-managed artists-authors to join us in the exciting new steps of our journey…
Happy new year!
Georgina Mauriño
Founder of Smartists, built on Stacks, for a user owned Internet.
P.S. Please, share all about Smartists with any fellow creator.