Alitaptap Artists Community and Artist Welfare Project
Collaboration with OoakosiMo
CryptoArt 101
Field Notes from the Balcony (Feb 2025 Edition)
📜 Description 🦴Archive Drop🦴
This page contains the original beginner’s guide to NFTs and Web3, crafted for the “Pista ng Sining” workshop at Alitaptap Artists Community and Artists Welfare Project they hosted it to help me fund my own healthcare insurance for this year.
This HTML zine is part of my ongoing series Field Notes from the Balcony — a low-key chronicle of post-collapse pedagogy, crypto survivalism, and artist-driven internet punk.
✸ Feel free to remix, fork, or host in your own corner of the metaverse.
Introduction
Prepare to embark on a journey into the captivating realm of digital ownership, NFTs, and the magic of blockchain technology. Whether you are a traditional artist or a digital creator, grasping these concepts will bestow upon you newfound power. Together, let us delve into how CryptoArt is transforming the very fabric of the art world!
What is CryptoArt?
CryptoArt refers to digital artworks that are authenticated and secured using blockchain technology. Unlike standard digital images, CryptoArt pieces are unique, traceable, and ownable through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).
Why is it Important?
- Verifiable: Ensures authenticity and a clear history (lineage) of the artwork.
- Global: Provides artists with worldwide exposure and accessibility to new markets.
- Secure: Uses decentralized storage, meaning your art isn't controlled by a single company.
The Power Trio: Web3, Blockchain, and NFTs
- Web3: The next evolution of the internet where users own their data, assets, and digital identity. Unlike Web2, where corporations control platforms and data, Web3 gives power back to the individual.
- Blockchain: A shared, public, and transparent digital ledger that permanently records all transactions, like minting or selling an NFT.
- NFT (Non-Fungible Token): A digital certificate on the blockchain that verifies the authenticity and ownership of a digital asset.
- Smart Contracts: Self-executing agreements on the blockchain that automatically handle rules like ownership transfers and artist royalties on resales.
How to Get Started in 3 Steps
Step 1: Set Up Your Crypto Wallet
A crypto wallet allows you to store your NFTs and transact on blockchain networks.
- Recommended Wallets: MetaMask for Ethereum or Temple Wallet and Kukai Wallet for Tezos.
- Critical Security Tip: Always store your recovery/seed phrase in a secure, offline location. Losing it means losing access to your wallet and all your assets forever. Never share it with anyone.
Step 2: Create Your Web3 Storefront
Your storefront is your profile on an NFT marketplace where you set up a profile before minting. Think of it as your Instagram or ArtStation, but for Web3.
- Choose a Platform: For Tezos, try Objkt.com or Teia.art. For Ethereum, consider Rarible or Manifold.
- Curate Your Profile: Add a compelling bio, link to your other social profiles, and showcase your best work. Collectors often research artists before buying.
Step 3: Mint Your First NFT
Minting is the process of registering your digital art on the blockchain. It's like signing your painting, but with a permanent, digital signature recorded on the blockchain!
- Upload your artwork to your chosen marketplace.
- Set the number of editions and your royalties for future resales (e.g., 10%).
- Decide whether to list it for sale or keep it as a digital archive.
Staying Safe in the CryptoArt Space!
The NFT world is exciting but has risks. Scammers, phishing attacks, and social engineering are common.
- Never Share Your Seed Phrase: No legitimate person, platform, or collector will ever ask for it.
- Beware of Scams: Be cautious of direct messages with offers that seem too good to be true, especially if they ask you to connect your wallet to an unknown site.
- Verify Everything: Web3 is like the Wild West. Double-check links and never rush into transactions without verifying sources!
Build Your Community
Don't wait to be "discovered." The best way to succeed is to actively shape your own market by building a support network. Collect, share, and engage with other artists to create a thriving ecosystem. Find your niche, collaborate with like-minded creators, and grow together.
About the Author
Mohini Ochangco (OoakosiMo)
New Media Artist, Post Production Specialist, CryptoArt Movement Pioneer, TrashArt, SpamArt, and Web3 Educator
Mohini Ochangco, known as OoakosiMo in the CryptoArt space, is a new media artist and one of the early pioneers in the CryptoArt movement. With a background in both analog and digital arts, she has embraced blockchain technology to explore new ways of creating, authenticating, and distributing art globally. She is a passionate advocate for integrating blockchain technology with cultural archiving and building sustainable creative ecosystems for independent artists.