Originally from Brazil, Andressa Furletti is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York. She is the co-founder and artistic director of Group .BR, NY’s only Brazilian theater company (www.group.br.com).
Third Act: How did you first learn about NFTs?
Andressa: I’ve been creating visual arts pieces but never dedicated to putting them out. As a multidisciplinary artist you’re always venturing into a new world. I have been much focused on the Brazilian theater company I’ve co-founded and have been serving as artistic director, so I always put that practice on the side.
[After] a year of pandemic I thought I should give it some attention. I got into a visual arts clubhouse room in 02/21 and heard people talking about NFTs and I got curious. It’s been a year.
TA: What was the process like of going from first hearing/learning about NFTs, to jumping in and starting your collection? Were there any trepidations you had?
A: It was a lot of learning. There is a learning curve between never hearing about gas fees to choosing a blockchain. I minted my first NFT on April 22nd, Earth Day on Hic Et Nunc on Tezos. Funny thing is that I had to burn it and remint it because there was a sound issue with the loop. So my genesis was officially minted on April 23rd.
TA: Do you have any advice for someone looking to start their own collection?
A: If you are an art lover, buy what you like, buy something that moves you, buy something you’re proud to show, buy to empower something you believe [in].
TA: What do you think the space will be like 5 years from now?
A: I think it will become very corporate and profit-driven. But also more adopted, more regulated, and more secure.
TA: What would you like to see more of in the NFT space? This could be anything from a wishlist of specific collections based on a film or television property, or simply just a direction you’d like to see fans and industry leaders heading in or thinking about.
A: I wish it to be more art-centric than “project” centered. I also feel there is a loss in true community. Most discords are just about the floor price. Now it feels a lot of people are just fishing for the new Bored Ape to get rich fast.
TA: We know that in this industry, things are always changing, and there’s always something going on. Is there anyone you follow for up-to-date information?
A: I don’t necessarily follow specific people for information about the industry. I participate a lot so I get information from many sources.
Most of my community started from the NFTs.tips and the early Hic Et Nunc communities and developed from there. I would need to give a very long list of people.
TA: Which piece of yours do you think is undervalued?
A: The Gaia Viva collection is best appreciated in larger screens and sound, the movement is subtle for a small image, especially on the phone. I think this collection is still undervalued but I’m not promoting a lot before I put up the installation I have in mind for it, I’m putting my energy on presenting it in physical and virtual exhibitions. From the pieces out so far I think the most undervalued on is the Gaia Viva #02.
TA: If you could put any of your pieces in a museum, which one would you choose?
A: Very hard question, for now, I would say Gaia Viva #06.
TA: Do you ever have trouble explaining to people what it is you do? How do you go about talking to people who know nothing about NFTs?
A: [It] depends on their level of understanding about crypto and digital technology, it usually works when I explain is a form of digital certification of ownership.
TA: Along those lines, do you find that most people outside of the community who you end up talking about NFTs are receptive?
A: Yes, most are curious.
TA: What other creators and collectors do you have your eye on?
A: Victoria West, Laurence Fuller, Sutu, Anna Natter, ARAWANUARIA, Owo, Kofi, Afrospirit, Huw Mesie, NFTipi, Marc Craig, Merchant Coppola, Ove, Tomba.
TA: Anything else you want to share?
A: [My] artistic works include stage and film acting, performance art, art installation, photography, and filmmaking. [My] main recent works include the play Inside the Wild Heart, an immersive theatrical experience based on the works of Clarice Lispector, the performance Yes, All Women about sexual assault, the performance #TakeASelfieOnMe, performed in 5 different countries, and the video art collection Gaia Viva being sold as NFTs. (www.andressa.art)
