Lisbon 25: Vesa
NonFunGerbils In Lisbon 2025 with Vesa
Vesa on Art, Money, and Finding the Foundation in Crypto
In a world still navigating its first major bull and bear cycles, crypto artist Vesa stands as a seasoned veteran, having blended digital creativity with financial activism since before NFTs were a buzzword. With a background rooted in filmmaking and a decade-long journey into pioneering digital body-painting art, Vesa offers a compelling perspective on why art, money, and philosophy must intersect for artists to find lasting value in the Web3 space.
The Origin Story: From Film Director to Money Activist
Vesa's artistic pivot began nearly 20 years ago, evolving from an educated film director into a digital artist who combined photography, body painting, and Photoshop compositions. This early foray into digital art led to a massive real-world impact—a 2013 project with actress Veena Malik reached over 300 million people through legacy media. Although the project wasn't an economic win, it established his credibility, leading to early crypto art collaborations with figures like Charles Hoskinson and Charlie Lee as early as 2016.
Vesa’s entry point wasn't hype; it was foundational understanding. After seeing documentaries on the monetary system, he became a "money activist," which drew him to Bitcoin. For him, crypto art was a vehicle to tell the story of decentralization and give digital originals the monetary value they finally deserved.
The Dangers of the Shortcut
When advising traditional artists looking to enter the space, Vesa's message is clear and rooted in the philosophy of the Karate Kid: "Wax on, wax off." There is no shortcut.
He argues that too many early participants threw their work (and money) into the market without understanding the foundation of the technology or the basics of money and investing. This lack of grounding led to a perception that hype and raw talent were equal.
"Some people just barely started out and all of a sudden made quite a lot of money. And then they made the mistake of thinking that their talent and contribution was equal to the hype market."
Vesa cautions that artists must build "brick by brick" and embrace the cyclical nature of the market, understanding that disappointment awaits those who made too much too fast.
Art, Spirit, and the Loss of Connection
Beyond market mechanics, Vesa explores the philosophical core of art. He suggests that art's true value and power derive from "transcendent experiences" and inspiration that comes from "in spirit." He believes modern, post-modern society has lost this essential connection.
This spiritual gap, Vesa posits, is the source of imposter syndrome among artists. They feel like "thieves" because they know their most profound work comes through them, not just from them. By grounding oneself in the historical and philosophical traditions of art—what he calls "wrestl[ing] with the Masters"—an artist can align with this deeper purpose and accelerate their growth.
Ultimately, Vesa frames his perspective as a Bitcoin centrist—not a maxi of the coin, but someone who respects Bitcoin as the foundational "mother" of the entire movement. By understanding and respecting that foundation, artists can better navigate the hype cycles and stand on solid, enduring ground.
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