Why did Beeple become a symbol of the NFT world?

Who is Beeple? Beeple's real name is Mike Winkelmann, an American graphic designer and digital artist. Before entering the NFT space, his works were used in performances by stars like Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Childish Gambino. Currently, he has over 2 million followers on Instagram and is among the top three most valuable contemporary artists in the world.

Turning Point When Entering NFT

Beeple began exploring the world of NFTs in 2020, and interestingly, his journey into this field was not due to a long-term plan, but rather by advice from friends that he should try a new way to share his work. Beeple's first notable NFT piece is titled Crossroad - a work designed to change its image based on the results of the 2020 presidential election in America. Initially, it was sold for $66,666.66, but it was later resold for $6.7 million - a figure enough to attract the community's attention.

However, Beeple's real golden moment came when the prestigious auction house Christie's decided to sell one of his NFT works. This was the first time a major auction house accepted this, and the agency even accepted ether as a form of payment. The work is titled Everydays – The First 5000 Days - a collection of 5,000 images that Beeple created every day for over 13 years. The result? It sold for over 69 million dollars, drawing the attention of both the art and technology worlds.

Why is Beeple so famous?

There are two main reasons. The first is timing. Beeple entered the NFT space when the market began to accelerate, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused people to spend more time on digital platforms. The second is systemic influence - the recognition from Christie's has proven that NFTs are not just a fad, but a legitimate artistic medium.

Who is Beeple to have such influence? He is the one who has proven to the world that digital works can be highly valued and accepted by the community as a legitimate form of art. Not only that, he also demonstrates how NFTs can open up new pathways for artists to earn a living without having to go through management companies or traditional galleries.

How did Beeple change the world's perception?

After Beeple became famous, big names like Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Edward Snowden, Eminem, and singer Grimes all started to get involved in NFT. This proves that Beeple is not just a lucky artist, but a pioneer for other artists to follow. He has shown that:

• Art can be completely digital and still hold high value.
• Independent artists can earn huge income without intermediaries.
• Blockchain technology opens up a new way for works to be entitled and owned.

NFT goes beyond art

Beeple's work has opened the door for many other applications of NFT. NFTs in gaming allow players to own and sell virtual assets. “Play-to-earn” games enable players to generate real income. In the music field, NFTs have the potential to create a fairer model for independent musicians. NFTs can also function as event tickets or create a secondary market based on access.

Although the NFT market became somewhat lively again in 2022 after the initial frenzy, this field continues to grow with new applications. Therefore, anyone can become an NFT creator - you don't need to wait for an auction house or gallery to recognize your talent. The blockchain platform makes NFTs more accessible than ever, and as Beeple has demonstrated, you can also be recognized globally with just one good creation.

Conclusion

Who is Beeple? He is the pioneer who proved that NFT is a true medium of art. He has not only made money but also opened up a completely new path for artists. The NFT ecosystem is currently growing with diverse applications ranging from games, music to finance, and it all started from a decision by Beeple to share his work in a different way.