Web3 and NFT technologies open up new possibilities for fundraising events and humanitarian projects.
Launched in Berlin this summer and developed by a group of artists and entrepreneurs, the NFT project NFTs4Refugees tries to address some of the problems refugees face.
A New NFT Project: An Artist’s Perspective
One of the names involved in the project is the Berlin painter Roman Lipski. Roman used quantum and artificial intelligence technologies in addition to classical methods while performing his art. He now also uses NFT technology.
His works with Quantum Blur are known around the world. But Roman says that “some collectors” stopped working with him just because he produced some of his works with this technology. Roman adds that technological advances frighten many traditional art collectors.
After getting acquainted with the “new form of art”, the novel could not return to the old ways. Roman, who has produced many works using artificial intelligence, says that “artificial intelligence makes him a more social person”. Roman also says that he can work in a more controlled way when he uses quantum technology, and the “randomness” brought by artificial intelligence makes the artistic process full of surprises.
Roman says that the mainstream media spread fear about technology and that he was once skeptical of it. But he himself now recognized the value of new technologies and started working on a joint NFT project with an entrepreneur named Paula Schwarz.
Speaking about the NFTs4Refugees project, Roman said, “When Paula asked me questions about this project, I had a few question marks in my mind. But I thought this could be a good learning opportunity for me and I believed the project had value.” says.
Roman can empathize with other refugees because he himself had fled Poland before the Wall fell. Roman, who made more “dark” artistic works in his early life, started to make more colorful works thanks to digital art.
Roman recommends that every artist experience “digitalization.” Referring to many NFT and art projects across the ecosystem, Roman “Anyone who tries to create something new is already an artist. If so, why not increase competition and make art more diverse?” says.
Thinking that non-fungible token technology can make the art market more democratic, Roman said, “It doesn’t matter what artistic features NFTs have. They just give people a platform so they have the opportunity to try new things.” he ends by saying.
A New NFT Project: An Entrepreneur’s Perspective
NFTs4Refugees is a humanitarian project. Unlike many other NFT projects, behind this project is an experienced founder who brings together different cultures and generations, not trying to capitalize on the name of NFT technology.
Paula Schwarz is a German of Greek descent who works as both an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. Starting her career with venture capital, which she founded in China, Paula continued her work in Africa and won an award in return. After the effects of the problems in the Middle East began to be seen in Europe, Paula turned her attention to the issue of “migration”. She later founded the think tank “Startup Boat”, which created a new platform for immigrants she. Paula worked in immigrant camps during this period.
While Paula was doing philanthropic work, she also started to continue the patronage tradition inherited from her family and started to work for the art world.
Using her technological experience, Paula digitized her family’s art association. She later founded the NFTs4Refugees project so that artists can experience digital art. Paula believes that “technology can open up new possibilities for people who don’t have many opportunities.”
Paula is more concerned with the quality than the quantity of the artwork on the NFTs4Refugees platform. She wants the work on this platform to have artistic value so that people who donate receive something for their donations that can retain its value in the future. But since one of the aims of the project is to facilitate entry into this market, it is planned to include the works of some promising young artists on the platform.
In addition to Roman and other artists, the work of immigrants is also exhibited on the NFTs4Refugees platform. These refugees are trying to heal their trauma through art. A project developed by immigrants for immigrants emerges. The platform also sells tickets for various events to meet the needs of immigrants.
In addition to being the founder of the project, Paula also manages it. Having managed to bring together Silicon Valley technologists, European artists and Middle Eastern refugees, Paula emphasizes the importance of having a common goal and communicating clearly:
“Many people criticize the world but do not appreciate the things in the world. I tried to fix this situation. At some point in my life, I realized what elements were needed to do this. Many refugees lose everything after leaving their homeland. I wanted to do justice to this starting point. Sometimes you get into a cycle where you do humanitarian work to help people but lose your faith and motivation because of the negative experiences you’ve had, and I didn’t want to enter this cycle. Using my family heritage, personal values, inspiration and support from my children, I decided to build something that could be useful for the future.”
Today, Paula is both developing new things for the NFTs4Refugees project and preparing some events for digital art investors.
The NFTs4Refugees project, which is still in beta, currently only showcases artwork made by refugees. Art&Co will be holding the auction of the works on the platform.
95% of the revenues generated through the NFTs4Refugees project will go to non-governmental organizations working for refugees. Although the project is still in beta, some investors have already purchased several studies.
Anyone who wants to contribute to the project can purchase the artworks on the platform.
About the author:
Sebnem Elif Kocaoglu Ulbrich, LL.M., MLB
Contextual Solutions, Founder