NFTs as a Subculture

If we consider NFTs as a form of art, within the spectrum of different art forms and types, I would likely still consider it as a subculture.

Of course, most NFT enthusiasts are aware that NFTs are not simply a new type of art, or a ‘jpeg’.

The provenance and ownership made possible by blockchain technology allows NFTs to become records on the blockchain that uniquely represents pieces of media.

But what is so intriguing about NFTs is precisely its intersection of blockchain and art.

The art allows it to attract like-minded communities, investing in and/or building towards similar goals through NFTs.

As once aptly described by a friend

But why are NFTs considered a subculture?

According to this article, there are 3 main properties of disruptive subcultures:

1. Practised by outsiders: Many NFT artists might not be established artists in the traditional art world. NFTs give artists a medium to showcase and sell their work to millions of people worldwide.

2. Considered culturally inferior: NFTs are likely not as respected in the traditional art world and given the same pedigree and as traditional art. Some might even think of it just as a fad.

3. New marketplaces and connoisseurship criteria: Marketplaces to purchase and sell are vastly different for NFTs vs traditional art. NFT projects are evaluated in new dimensions, such as communities, narratives, utilities, and more.

Believe it or not, it is the early days of NFT subculture.

There are still new art forms to be explored, new utilities to be developed, and many more users to be onboarded to NFTs.

We all have a part to play to participate in this subculture.