Lisbon 25: Jæn
NonFunGerbils In Lisbon 2025 with Jæn
In this insightful interview from the NFC Summit, artist Jæn shares an optimistic perspective on the current crypto art landscape, arguing that while the market may feel slow, the true value of the space remains unchanged. Jean suggests the worst of the bear market inertia may be hitting now, clearing the way for a more hopeful future.
Jæn asserts that the primary reason artists stay is simple: you can't do what you do here anywhere else. For artists who want to explore and combine different mediums like animation, interactivity, and music, the NFT space provides the perfect property to create without commercial constraints. Even when the market is rough, the experimental energy and creation never cease.
Art is a season, not a trend. Addressing the artists who left during the downturn, Jean offers a perspective rooted in long-term artistic practice. He observes that many who quit became artists through NFTs and hadn't yet experienced the "winter" that every long-time artist endures. For those who were artists before, the market is simply a season; they continue to practice and create regardless of sales.
Jæn suggests that artists who rely solely on NFTs risk becoming too market-focused, losing sight of the deeper, expressive reasons for their work. He emphasizes that being an artist requires an intimate, spiritual process—a commitment to doing work that feels right and is meaningfully challenging, rather than following contradictory social media advice or market trends.
Scarcity is a myth. The conversation touches on the nuanced dynamic of scarcity and price. Jæn notes that concepts like scarcity are not one-dimensional. While it matters to speculators, artists should focus on creating work that is meaningful, relevant, and high-quality; work they will still be proud of in ten years. He cites examples of artists like XCopy, who can release massive open editions without damaging their reputation because the rest of their body of work has established lasting value.
Jæn proudly represents the Cult of Crypto Art, describing the collective as the "punk garage band of crypto art." As one of the oldest and most flat, friendly, and open-minded collectives, it serves as a digital village for artists from around the world. He notes their firm stance against financializing the group with tokens or meme coins, believing it would ultimately corrupt the artistic core. For the members, the Cult provides the necessary shared space and support that keeps them creating, even when feeling down.
For those interested in the future of truly experimental and communal digital art, the spirit of creation in the NFT space, embodied by artists like Jæn and collectives like the Cult of Crypto Art, remains strong.
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