Moms and Dads
Crypto Art: Transforming Perspectives and Art Appreciation in Families
Sisters Mia Rocha Lauchengco, Georgia Rocha-Chu and Kimi Rocha-Delgado of Galeria Palomas share how Crypto Art has changed society and developed people’s appreciation for art.
This story first came out in Modern Parenting’s 2022 print edition.
With a dictionary’s worth of terminologies, navigating the world of NFTs and crypto can be quite overwhelming, which Kimi confirms. “I think [parents] share the same challenges as any art enthusiast
interested in crypto art and NFTs. Chiefly, I think it’s just about understanding the medium and the technical aspects like what the blockchain is, what NFTs are, where to find or buy them, et cetera.”
Kimi adds that as with any subject of interest, the best step to take is to study and find reputable
resources to guide you along the learning process. “There are a lot of resources out there. The gallery itself launched Perspectives as a way to offer an easy resource that is specific to the local audience but also is globally leaning in its subject matter,” she says.
Where do we start looking?
“When it comes to looking for reputable sources, people can get overwhelmed with the thousands of
searches. It often makes finding where to start the most troublesome of them all,” Georgia admits. “Crypto art is booming locally and internationally, and there is so much art to discover, and that’s what Galeria Paloma is here for — to show you where to look,” she explains.
And for anyone who wishes to start, Mia suggests understanding the basics of what makes NFTs and Crypto valuable: the blockchain. “I think the main challenge is understanding the basics of how the blockchain works and what this means in terms of being a future artist or collector. People will be resistant and skeptical of things they don’t understand like I was. But I think once they overcome that, they realize that it is bringing art collection to a new and exciting phase, and art creation to a new level where establishing proof of creation is now possible.”
And it’s in this novelty that we begin to appreciate how much art has transformed and changed.
Bringing crypto art to the familiar
Art is instrumental in a child’s development in making them more well-rounded. But as the world opens
its doors to more digital developments, museums have also gone with the waves of technological evolution, allowing parents to realize that art is no longer just restricted to the canvas. “We are seeing a growth in the adoption of galleries, even museums, of crypto or digital art. Leading TV makers, like Samsung, have already included TVs in their line [that are] specifically meant to display digital art. I think that as time passes, digital and crypto art will be part of the regular gallery or museum experience,” Mia shares.
It’s shown that many museums have taken a more, as Kimi says, “positive step forward”. “Museums have begun to embrace crypto art, offering exhibitions that are immersive, presenting artworks from the crypto art and NFT spaces already.”
There is also the hope of making sure art does not lose the interaction value it usually has in a real-life
exhibit. Curating and keeping the doors open to families in what Georgia calls “high traffic areas” on the internet allows parents to continuously develop art appreciation in their children and make them more well-rounded people. “As a gallery that’s been around for a number of years, we believe in exhibiting crypto art in a familiar way. In this manner, we are introducing something new. But it’s in a way that is easy to appreciate, not too out of the box, not too impersonal, [where you don’t] need to log in to a website.”
Its novelty allows families to ask more questions
Although its execution is new, Kimi shares that its engagement is still through a familiar way everyone has grown up with. “As in any medium of art, the best way to engage children is to expose them to age-appropriate works of art. Ask them questions about the form, so that they learn to pay attention to what they’re seeing and observe deeply: what do you see? What colors do you notice? What objects do you see? Then ask them about their opinions and thoughts, so you can engage them on a different, emotional plane: What is your favorite thing about it? What do you think it’s talking about? What does it make you feel? Asking questions is a great way to give them an opening to engage with the artwork. Hopefully, the next time they encounter a work of art, they already know what questions to ask
themselves based on your example.”
Such is the way crypto art and NFTs transform perspectives — not just on how art is presented to its consumers, but also to many who once saw art as a non-lucrative career.
Crypto art as a future career for kids
But crypto art and NFTs are not only changing how families see art. They also shine on the possibility of reconsidering the once-shunned art career as an acceptable occupation. Whereas the world of high art typically opens its doors to a chosen few, crypto art and NFTs have busted them wide open and allow artists of various backgrounds and styles to make serious bank. Ultimately, the lucrative prospects of NFTs support every parent’s dream: to make sure their kids can support themselves regardless of the career they choose.
That said, Mia cautions that this is more the exception than the norm.
“It’s easy to see some NFT artists’ works sold for exorbitant amounts of money, but we have to remember that these are rare occurrences, as with physical art,” she explains. “However, I think it’s always best to see where the child’s interests lie. But yes, if it is in digital art and because blockchain technology allows proof of creation and authenticity, it gives the artist the opportunity to stake his claim on his work and be properly compensated for it.”
Creatives find a way to grow along technological advancements.
Creating crypto art and NFTs creates another avenue for those who prefer the more creative side of programming rather than its logical and structured side. “Every parent wants their kid to be happy
and fulfilled in any career they choose, but maybe it’s a source of comfort to know that there are so
many viable careers in computer applications! It’s no longer just a time drain when kids play video games for instance — there are a lot of different ways to use computer technology beyond that. We invite parents to look for software programs that might encourage their creative or engineering sides,” Kimi shares.
Especially nowadays when kids are more attached to their gadgets, Georgia shares that it perhaps may be the answer to making their screen time more productive rather than the mindlessness many parents fear. “Kids love being on their gadgets, right? This technology is such a great way for a child to discover their talent, and as we, parents, know, kids can be a lot more tech-savvy than us. But maybe being part of the older generation, parents can impart useful wisdom on how to turn their talent into an income-generating endeavor. But as with anything involving gadget use or the internet, parents do have an important role in ensuring our kids are keeping a healthy balance of web and real life.”
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