Please describe your proposed solution.
Nowadays, the vast majority of artists find it difficult to make a living from their art, especially in developing countries in Africa such as Gabon, where there is absolutely no public policy to value their work. Also people there use almost all their incomes solely to satisfy their basic needs. As a result, many talents give up their dreams, seeing no future in pursuing them.
Our goal is to use the advantages and opportunities offered by Web 3.0 to benefit the community of artists in Gabon and in the sub-region, from the illustrator to the comic book writer, including the traditional painter and sculptor.
Today, with Blockchain technology and the rapid development of NFTs, artists have a unique opportunity to showcase their work to the world, no matter where they are on the planet. An artist in Gabon who could struggle to sell his work on the local market can sell a NFT to a buyer in Brazil or Australia without having to move from his workshop. All he needs is a good internet connection and a decent computer allowing him to upload his work online (both things they can seldom afford).
By working hand in hand with the artists of Gabon and the sub-region, we want to combine storytelling, art and NFT in order to make discover the diversity and the originality of African cultures to a Western audience oblivious of them.
By using comics to tell original stories, we will be able to introduce the world to an African lore that has been ignored, misunderstood and caricatured for too long. In doing so, our goal is to create several fan communities that transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, united by their passion for universes and characters never before depicted. And to strengthen the bond of these communities familiar with these stories and concepts from Africa, we will help minting NFTs inspired by African culture.
The painters, sculptors and craftsmen of Gabon are not left out in this project. Using NFTs, it is now possible to connect physical works with impossible-to-pirate digital versions, offering African creators a worldwide stage, and greater potential for turning their art into a source of income or even better, a career.
With our project ‘ART, COMICS AND NFT IN GABON’, we want to become a showcase for talented artists from Gabon and the sub-region, and thus bring innovative content to digital marketplaces. And what better way than Cardano and Project Catalyst to launch this initiative in an African country? We will start by supporting 4 artists (illustrator, comic artist, physical artist) by helping them achieve success. The success of these 4 will allow us to support other artists, and thus create a virtuous circle.
Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.
With this project, we intend to make Gabon one of the most important NFT hubs in Africa, while establishing Cardano as the leading cryptocurrency there. By giving artists access to an international stage, we enable them to reach an international audience more likely to buy their work. And through the medium of comics and graphic novels, we are giving artists and writers in Gabon and Africa the chance to tell their own stories, inspired by the cultures, myths and legends of Africa that have never been told before.
What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?
Risk n°1: NFT minting
The technical aspect of NFT minting could be an obstacle to prevent the smooth running of the project, especially for our artists not familiar with NFTs. Fortunately, we’re not alone: NFT Maker Pro and Hashlips as well as the great Cardano community are there to mitigate this risk.