On August 10, the animation world was abuzz as DeeKay Kwon, the talented South Korean animator, joined forces with the enigmatic digital art aficionado, Cozomo de’ Medici, to unveil Kwon's first open-edition artwork on Base. This partnership, formed in conjunction with industry giants Coinbase L2 and Friends With Benefits (FWB), witnessed an astonishing $100,000 revenue within the initial hour of release, as reported by NFTStatistics.
Reimagining Art Access
Available for a fleeting 24 hours and concluding on August 11, this initiative did more than just offer art. It democratized access. Moving away from the conventional cryptocurrency-based buying system, it granted art enthusiasts the flexibility to purchase using a credit card. Notably, on that day, a staggering 71,500 mints were made with over 27,000 holders vying for the ETH edition.
Wow. The last 24 hours have been unforgettable
— Cozomo de’ Medici (@CozomoMedici) August 11, 2023
~71,500 mints
27,098 holders of the ETH edition alone
It's been an honor to work w @deekaymotion on this drop
Grazie @coinbase & @FWBtweets for making it a part of #OnchainSummer
To every artist, builder, and patron helping… pic.twitter.com/4ZDmoRQ9xm
Reflecting on this success, Kwon tweeted about the broader goal - not just stirring excitement within their niche community but introducing many more to the realm of digital art. His art, heavily influenced by his Korean roots and American upbringing, was priced affordably to ensure the emphasis lay on appreciation overvaluation. As Kwon remarked, the financial aspect was secondary to the artistic value. Similarly, Cozomo, a nod to the influential Florentine banker, echoed this sentiment on Twitter, revealing aspirations to make digital art more accessible.
Behind The Figures: DeeKay's Artistic Odyssey
DeeKay's journey to NFT stardom is both relatable and inspiring. Once a daydreamer, finding solace only in his sketches, his academic struggles led him to question his own capabilities. Yet, art school reshaped this self-perception. Despite not completing his degree due to financial constraints, DeeKay persevered. From a humble $50-a-day animation gig, he advanced to working for tech titans like Google and Apple. While financial stability came with the corporate world, it wasn't fulfilling. So, he turned to Instagram, sharing personal creations with a growing audience of 400,000 followers.
Allow me to share my personal story about myself, an ordinary person named DeeKay, and my life prior to the NFT madness.
— DeeKay (@deekaymotion) August 12, 2023
You see, I used to believe that I was dumb, as I struggled to focus on any subject. My days were spent daydreaming and doodling, finding solace in my own art.…
The advent of NFTs revolutionized his life, leading to unforeseen affluence and freeing him from the 9-5 routine. The once unimaginable act of not worrying about an $18 lunch became his reality. However, beneath this success lies an unwavering passion. As he notes, even if fortunes reversed, he'd still be content, as long as he could connect with people through his art.
The Impact and The Future
The collaboration between DeeKay and Cozomo and the subsequent art drop was more than just a transactional event. It was a statement - about the ever-evolving landscape of art, about democratizing its access, and about the undying spirit of artists like DeeKay, who find their true worth not in money but in the appreciation of their craft. As the digital art space continues to evolve, stories like DeeKay’s serve as a beacon for many, illustrating that passion, when combined with the right opportunity, can lead to unimaginable heights.
