ChrisCoCreated | S1E6 Optimism Show

"Community art is not just about creating for people, but creating with them."

In this episode, Kris interviews ChrisCoCreated, a Web3 artist who transitioned from traditional community art to the digital world of Web3. Chris shares his journey, the challenges of being an artist in this space, and how Web3 technology enables community-driven art. He also discusses his upcoming project, We Are The Art, and how artists can find success by engaging with their communities and aligning with cultural moments.

1. Are you involving your community in your product or service creation?
   Just like Chris involves his audience in his art, consider how you can engage your community in shaping your product, content, or service. Authentic participation builds loyalty.

2. Are you tapping into relevant cultural trends?
   Chris’s success came from aligning his work with timely moments. Reflect on how you can position your offerings to ride the wave of current trends or events that resonate with your audience.

3. What values define your business?
   Chris emphasizes the importance of shared values in communities. Ensure your company’s values are clearly defined and align with what matters to your audience—this can strengthen your brand identity.

4. Are you prioritizing long-term growth over short-term profit?
   Web3 is still evolving, and Chris advises focusing on engagement and growth. Are you investing in your audience for the long term, or chasing immediate gains? Consider how a long-term approach might benefit your business.

5. Are you open to experimenting and learning from failure?
   Chris’s journey involved trial and error. Don’t be afraid to test new ideas and pivot based on feedback. Is there an area of your business where you could experiment more?

• Chris' Journey into Web3 Art: Starting from a background in theatre and community work, Chris discusses how he found his way into Web3 and began creating community-based digital art.

• Challenges of Being an Artist in Web3: Chris talks about the financial struggles of his early career, how he stumbled upon Web3, and the initial challenges of understanding and navigating the space.

• Community Art in Web3: Chris explains how Web3 allows for unique, community-driven art, where artists can co-create with their audience and how this differs from traditional art forms.

• The Evolution of Art Communities: Chris shares insights on where community art is heading, emphasizing the duality between "folk art" and "capital A" art in Web3 spaces.

• Monetization in Web3: The importance of managing expectations in terms of monetization, with Chris explaining how his most successful projects have come from tapping into cultural moments and community engagement.

• The Launch of "We Are the Art": Chris discusses his upcoming project, which focuses on creating iconic works of art using the names of the community members who hold the project's tokens.

• Building a Growth Studio: Chris introduces his idea of building a collaborative, co-owned growth studio on Farcaster, focusing on creating meaningful brand and community experiences through art.