Week I April 2023 - SamJ Studios

 This week we have seen another exodus of artists “leaving” Web3. Most of these people have been around for quite some time so it’s more surprising to see their distaste with the way things are today. Of course it is definitely fair to be frustrated with how the market has changed since the early days and a lot of the joy we found in experimenting with this new technology has molded into a mess of speculative gambling. This has come to a shock for a lot of the artists that had optimistic views of the future without understanding the degen culture of crypto that came before the rise of NFTs.

It really seems shortsighted to announce your departure from blockchain technology rather than finding creative solutions to adapt your practice to the way things have moved on and matured since we began. I remember when the meta-was basically just a mint 1/1s and sell, but now there have been so many more new methods of distribution brought to us through accessible means such as Manifold or Zora. It has been a rough year for me as an artist, too. I have definitely always been against the cringe side of crypto and NFTs so I can empathize, yet I still believe that this is an unbelievably asymmetric opportunity of growth for artists and creatives. There’s no denying that AI and crypto will find a unique marriage in the way that we interact in this new age of digital media and being able to participate in the foundations of such a movement is exhilarating, even when times are tough.

My entire career has been built up in the Web3 space almost as a vacuum. Sometimes when people leave the space, it seems a bit privileged because I don’t have that luxury, even if I wanted to. It is my only choice to continue forward and keep building upon the deep connections that I have with those here, and find new unique ways to bring my creativity to the blockchain. I never found it interesting to work in Web2 business models, even as I grew up on social media, so I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to forge my own path… as difficult as it may be.

This is not to say those leaving are weak or have a less creative business strategy, but rather I believe they are shortsighted. I understand the pressure of paying your bills and surviving in this market, but to create such a black and white statement, that is “leaving” is quite silly. I believe that artists should feel free to make art and be creative through any means or methods not only moving forward into Web3, but by using anything that is accessible to them, whether that be past technologies or those for the future. That being said, such artists can feel free to tap into their previous styles or practices of work without creating such a flippant cry of outrage. Just make art. We all feel the bear market, you are not alone.

I will be attending NFT NYC from April 10-16, looking forward to seeing so many of you lovely people there! I'll be showcsing work at Proof of People and bringing out a lot of fashion as always. Let me know of any fun events I should visit while around!

Slay the house down boots besties,

SamJ