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The incredible potential of NFT poetry exists; it's just that not many know about it. Perhaps it's time we give poets and writers the chance to strut their stuff in the NFT space.
Now, some poets are using NFTs to create and present their work in new and exciting ways. This could be a game-changer for a niche long searching for new ways to redeem itself and come out of obscurity.
NFTs and Poetry: A Match Made in Heaven?
One of the most intriguing aspects of NFTs is that they're used to create unique experiences that can't be replicated. This is perfect for poetry, which is often about conveying emotion and feeling through words.
With an NFT, a poet creates a one-of-a-kind piece, experienced in a way that traditional poems don't offer. The poem becomes an interactive, multimedia spectacle - something that deviates from the usual static and two-dimensional form.
More Than Just Rhymes and Verses
Aptly called "theVERSEverse," this NFT project boldly pairs traditional poets with crypto artists to create completely new works of art. The team behind the project believes that NFTs can help poems become more than just text on a page.
In theVERSEverse, each poem is created with the help of generative AI, where poetic, technological, and social codes are fused. The result is an ever-changing, multi-sensory poem that can be experienced in different ways each time it's viewed.
While theVERSEverse focuses on the collaboration of artists and poets, another project called LOST POETS by popular NFT artist Pak offers a more personal take on the matter. It does so by allowing the buyers of the poem to have their share of providing meaning to its cryptic language. Unlike the traditional copyrighted poems, Pak's version openly agrees with audience tampering without any restriction from the poet, publisher, or label company.
Literary Representation in the NFT Space
Literary NFTs are by no means as popular as visual art or music. But with the increasing popularity of NFTs, it'll only take one successful project to jumpstart a new wave of creativity and interest in the space.
This could have a big impact on the literary world, facing a decline in recent years. If NFTs can help poems reach new audiences and gain relevance, it could be a much-needed shot in the arm for the literary world.
One such prospect is Etherpoems, an NFT-powered poetry project that allows writers to submit their work and get paid in ETH. The project is still in the experimental stage, but it can potentially change the way poems are published and distributed.
Etherpoems could help poets bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach readers directly. This would give them more control over their work and lead to a more diverse range of voices being heard. The project mints poems and puts them directly into the Ethereum blockchain, making them immutable and censorship-resistant.
This is an exciting development for poetry, which has often been misunderstood and undervalued. Being one of the oldest literary forms, it's no secret that poetry has taken a step back in recent years. But with the help of NFTs, it could make a comeback in a big way. Most importantly, it'll save a niche that will go extinct.
Fostering a Poet-Audience Relationship
NFT Poetry, at least in theory, offers a new way for poets to reach audiences and create unique experiences. It's a similar concept from which art and music found their niches as digital collectibles.
The benefits of NFTs for poetry are never to be denied, but it all comes down to fostering a relationship between the poet and the audience.
With NFTs, poets create an ongoing conversation with their readers. They can use the technology to engage with their audience and build a rapport. In turn, this could lead to a more dedicated and supportive fanbase.
This is perfectly exemplified by The NFT Poetry Gallery, a brainchild of Katherine Dozier Moshman. The artist/writer is the first to initiate a series of NFT seed poems, referring to the seed phrase used to unlock a Crypto Wallet. Moshman's creation is centred on bespoke poems featuring her photography collection. She prides herself on collaborating with her buyers to come up with the perfect poem for them.
The idea is to put NFT poetry to a different level that's not seen in digital art and music. Imagine being able to purchase a literary piece with your contribution to it. That's the level of intimacy that Moshman is trying to achieve with her project.
In Harmony with Other Art Forms
NFTs have been praised for their potential to help artists and musicians make a living from their work. Poets are hoping to attain the same success. The good news is that the trend appears to favour NFT poetry. Different art forms and genres can work hand-in-hand, with NFTs being the medium. In the case of The NFT Poetry Gallery, Moshman managed to fuse poems and photography to create a promising concept.
NFT poetry can also take advantage of partnering with music, i.e., setting the poem to a song or even a video reading. This further helps in creating an emotional connection with the fanbase and could be the key to success for literary NFTs.
Is There a Future for NFT Poetry?
There could be more in store for literary NFTs than poets and writers getting their feet wet in the metaverse. It's not out of the question that we'll see an increase in NFT-exclusive poetry projects and publications sooner than later. After all, it'll make a lot of sense for platforms to start experimenting with different content types, considering how NFTs have exceeded expectations and gained popularity.
We could see a dedicated NFT poetry section on websites and marketplaces, a boon for the community. It would allow poets to put their work in front of an audience interested in reading and collecting NFTs.
In the end, it all comes down to whether there's a demand for NFT poetry. So far, the reception has been positive, and there's no reason to believe that it won't continue growing. As we've seen with other art forms, NFTs have the potential to completely change the landscape for poetry.
