Are NFTs art? Ever since NFTs burst onto the scene, the debate has raged. They are absolutely artistic and non-fungible tokens that enable artists to own and profit from their art in new ways. We have seen an explosion of new art styles as digital and physical media are also combined in new NFT projects.
Flower Girls is one of the largest and most artistic NFT collections out there and was founded by award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Varvara Alay. Flower Girls showed a different kind of NFT; launched in December 2021, Alay donated 20% of the project’s profits to children’s charities and used an additional 5% to collect NFT art for children. It’s clear that Alay sees NFT art as something that can change lives.
When it comes to the big question of “are NFTs art?”, Alay explains: “NFTs are a technology for proving ownership of any digital or indeed physical asset. However, they are particularly useful in relation to visual art since an image or video can be linked to an NFT.”
She continues: “For me personally, NFTs has allowed me to expand my art practice and integrate blockchain technology – I am able to work with talented blockchain developers who contribute to the story of The Flower Girls, so that through my art I can interact with audiences on different ways—I can build a story that’s ever-changing, interactive, and immersive.”
The Flower Girls Collection (opens in a new tab) consists of 10,000 NFTs made from 950 hand-drawn elements that celebrate diversity and beauty. The project aims to reshape the crypto space and open it up to more female artists. This is not a new message, when we spoke with art curator and NFT collector Tina Ziegler, she promoted the same message, especially on International Women’s Day, when she shared how non-fungible tokens can revolutionize art.
Below, Varvara Alay explains why NFTs can offer change and where she sees the future of this technology and artwork. If you want to try it yourself, read our guide What are NFTs? to get an overview and learn how to create an NFT for free. But read on below to find out what Alay thinks about NFTs and the future of art and graphic design.
Are NFTs art? They are so much more…
How can NFTs contribute to improving diversity and equality?
NFTs on a decentralized blockchain have the potential to open any artist audience globally. When each person has a chance to participate and connect with their ideal collector, diversity and equity across space are natural byproducts.
In the NFT space, there is a strong community of diverse women building communities around art that reflects and supports these values – women-led projects, such as World of Women, Meta Angels, Boss Beauties, Honey Badges, Women Rise and many many others, are in at the forefront of giving back in direct and meaningful ways – this work is an important component to building equality and diversity on and off the blockchain.
NFTs and crypto have crashed, what needs to change to make this work for the future?
Markets going up or down do not determine the technology’s viability, especially for the future.
When the Flower Girls talk about “the future”, we think of the children whose artistic ambitions we have supported and helped nurture. The art collected by our team, much of which represents a snapshot of the effects of a global pandemic on children, has been preserved in the Arctic World Archive for tens of thousands of years. One of the artists we’ve supported was able to receive life-changing therapy thanks to her NFT sales.
Markets can be expected to fluctuate, but the technology and real-world benefits will continue to influence.
Do NFTs need more than offering good art?
NFTs are a whole technology, but if the question is about art, NFTs especially… NFTs offer artists unprecedented ability to stay connected with, reward, experiment with and co-create with collectors. It is not necessary to exploit that ability, but it can be a missed opportunity to ignore it.
Is there still room for 1/1 artists?
There will never be a day when the world does not have room for people who create beauty. NFTs offer a unique platform for 1/1 artists to reach and be discovered by new audiences and a new generation of art collectors.
My personal NFT journey is a fitting example: I joined the NFT community on Twitter with zero followers less than a year ago, and have since partnered with brands like Pepsi and the Chicago Bulls, while my art has been collected by amazing individuals worldwide.
What do artists need to consider when launching an NFT collection?
In the case of a large, generative collection, artists should consider the amount of work and “salesmanship” often required to launch and then maintain a project with thousands of unique tokens – each representing art they’ve created. A successful NFT project also requires sustained innovation and community involvement.
Does your NFT represent your art, and is it difficult to reconfigure your style to an NFT?
As a digital illustrator and collage artist, NFTs were a natural fit for my style, and they also allowed me to experiment more with animation and sound elements.
Would you do anything differently?
There is no way we could have predicted the success that came from The Flower Girls, with over $15 million in sales volume and endorsements from Gary Vaynerchuck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brie Larson, Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria and many other celebrities. I was certainly not prepared for such a positive response and it has been a challenge to adjust to this overwhelming attention!
What do you say to people who oppose NFTs?
NFTs have allowed me to give back in ways I never imagined possible. In the first seven months since its launch, The Flower Girls Project has raised more than $600,000 for children’s charities, including Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Fund and the Malala Fund, and committed more than $100,000 to raise 750 NFT artworks from 144 child artists. I have also found a community that is endlessly supportive and has surprised me every day with how engaged, fun and positive they are.
Are you planning larger Web 3 projects?
We are excited to continue growing the Flower Girls, making art and supporting children!
You can follow Varvara Alay on her blog (opens in a new tab) but her message is to join in, whether it’s with the Flower Girls or by making your own NFT art. If you want to create your own NFT then read the how to feature on how to create and sell an NFT.
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