More artists are turning to Bitcoin for inspiration

Baozou Comment : There are more and more discussions about Bitcoin, gradually extending to the whole world. One of the groups attracted by Bitcoin and blockchain is artists. Currently, they include the famous Imogen Heap, Nas, a venture capitalist who was a rapper, and 50 Cent (an American rapper and investor). The discussion of Bitcoin in the art world may have aroused the curiosity of more people, but the actual application rate needs to be improved. The comments of the interviewer show that although Bitcoin may capture your imagination, it may not really enter your wallet. Time will tell whether the art world will continue to use Bitcoin. But if the answer is yes, it may be the interest in interpersonal communication that attracts artists to Bitcoin.

Translation: Annie Xu

When Bitcoin becomes a currency, its reputation is its greatest asset.

It took a long time for financial practitioners to go from not knowing about Bitcoin to being interested in it. It started with enthusiastic users who were happy to share its benefits with their friends, and then these friends were attracted by the idea and began to explore and use Bitcoin.

Bitcoin's peer-to-peer design enables it to become popular among people.

Discussions about Bitcoin are increasing and spreading all over the world. One group that is attracted to Bitcoin and blockchain is artists. Currently, they include the famous Imogen Heap, Nas (a rapper-turned-venture capitalist), and 50 Cent (an American rapper and investor).

This is perhaps not surprising. Artists love new things and new ideas, so they think differently, and Bitcoin is clearly different. It also has economic appeal. Etsy, an online marketplace for handicrafts, can prove that artists are small merchants who are crushed by traditional transaction fees, and Bitcoin can differentiate products and increase sales.

But what attracts these artists? And can these groups become an active part of the digital currency user base?

Interviews with artists around the world show that while they are currently attracted to the enthusiasm and mystique surrounding Bitcoin, this attention has not yet translated into practical application.

The Importance of Interpersonal Communication

Lindsey Nobel, Poesy Liang, and Karen Zahray are all artists, and they all learned about Bitcoin in the same way: through enthusiastic word of mouth.

From a geographical perspective, these three artists come from different parts of the world. They are Los Angeles, Malaysia, and New York. From a genre perspective, their artworks are very different. But they all firmly believe that the future of Bitcoin is bright.

Lindsey Nobel, a California-based multimedia artist, recalls the first time he heard about Bitcoin.

I was on Wall Street at the time, visiting an art collector of mine, and it was he who told me about the concept of Bitcoin.

For Lindsey Nobel, her art and technology equally keep her connected to the world.

"I see the world as a whole, not as separate entities. Although there are borders between countries, people act as a whole."

Lindsey Nobel's work explores the connections that people experience throughout their lives. This includes connections within the human body and outside of groups. Her work includes subjects such as neurons. She uses dots, lines and water droplets to represent the nervous system and the transmission of information between neurons.

“These connections are how everything works.”

This network is as active as the human body. Money and ideas are transmitted around the world, just like a nervous system. She was attracted by the convenience and efficiency of digital currency transmission.

“Artists have always been attracted to exchanges. I think it’s a great way to move money around. It’s faster and more interesting than what banks offer. And, as an international currency, Bitcoin brings people closer together in the global community.”

Poesy Liang, who studied different subjects including jewelry, fashion design and writing, said her connections played a big role in her discovery of Bitcoin.

“At the time, I was surrounded by a lot of founders and startups. They were talking about Bitcoin. So I paid attention.”

Liang’s work is not limited to one medium or genre and can be purchased with Bitcoin. Her cat paintings are colorful and cute. But her approach to exploring Chinese calligraphy is both professional and traditional.

“You can see that everything I do is part of a larger project.”

Believers in big paintings

'Value And Mystery' by Karen Zahray

Interviews suggest that Bitcoin may give artists privacy they can’t get elsewhere.

Karen Zahray began her exploration of Bitcoin when she was invited to participate in a money-themed art exhibition organized by the Brooklyn Women Artists' Community.

The last watercolor she created for the art show is called "Value and Mystery." It has a Bitcoin symbol in the middle of the painting. People can buy the painting with Bitcoin.

Karen Zahray discusses her fascination with the mystique of Bitcoin.

“The mystery of Bitcoin is what initially attracted me. Some people think it’s mysterious, but it’s very relevant to our modern lifestyle. Everything happens on the Internet. In such a highly connected age, privacy protection is difficult.”

The existence of social media is extremely important for enhancing the fame of artists and gaining more admirers.

Poesy Liang uses a series of Facebook pages to manage her many interests, from jewelry making to artwork, and Facebook tools have enabled her to connect and communicate with at least 3,000 people around the world.

Lindsey Nobel said:

In the past, we all hated being followed in life. Now you do something and people follow you, and you don't know who these followers are. Now, the world is the judge of whether my work is good or bad.

She was excited to talk about the future of the bitcoin industry, from new uses for bitcoin to its impact on the way people do business.

Karen Zahray said:

What attracts her most to Bitcoin is the potential possibilities.

Bitcoin has allowed Poesy Liang to connect with people she wouldn’t normally reach. She believes that more merchants will accept Bitcoin in the future, especially those who already have online sales platforms. Therefore, she actively encourages artists to start exploring Bitcoin.

"The best way to understand Bitcoin is to get involved directly."

Interest conversion

While all three artists have expressed an interest in Bitcoin, only Lindsey Nobel considers herself to be actively using it.

The discussion of Bitcoin in the art world may have sparked more curiosity, but the actual adoption rate needs to be improved. The interviewer’s comments show that although Bitcoin may capture your imagination, it may not actually enter your wallet.

Karen Zahray has only recently started paying serious attention to Bitcoin and has not used it yet. She is very interested in the future value changes of Bitcoin, so she opened a wallet account and plans to buy some Bitcoin for storage.

“If I had the chance, I would definitely use Bitcoin.”

Poesy Liang said that although she is not an active Bitcoin user now, she is looking forward to it in the future. She is proud of herself for being the first to use Bitcoin in her work and becoming a trendsetter among artists, and she hopes that the art market can use Bitcoin.

"There should be more discussion about Bitcoin."

Lindsey Nobel's main purpose of using Bitcoin is to increase the power of the Bitcoin network. She believes that the art world should continue to discuss Bitcoin and take action to contribute to the spread of Bitcoin.

"I want to bring Bitcoin to more artists and art collectors."

Time will tell if the art world continues to adopt Bitcoin. But if it does, it may be the interest in interpersonal communication that draws artists to Bitcoin.