How NFTs help to empower Ukrainian artists and preserve fragile art — Q&A with CityX

cointelegraph.com:

The ongoing war in Ukraine has had devastating consequences, including the destruction of cultural and historical objects. As the conflict continues, it is critical to protect Ukrainian artworks and cultural heritage. By using innovative technologies such as blockchain and nonfungible tokens (NFTs), art enthusiasts can ensure the protection and longevity of Ukrainian art, allowing future generations to appreciate and learn from its profound significance.

But how can NFTs preserve fragile art during military conflicts and bridge the gap between traditional and digital art, increasing the visibility and accessibility of art to a broader audience? Shedding light on this topic is film director Asya Nikolaeva, a Ukrainian now living in San Francisco, who launched the CityX project, which aims to preserve Ukrainian art through NFTs.

CityX’s mission is not only to present and preserve art but also to support Ukrainian artists in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, and galleries affected by the war. By providing a platform for these works, CityX contributes to the restoration of cultural spaces.

Q: What is fragile art for you and how can NFTs help to preserve it?

Asya Nikolaeva: My mother Tatyana Tumasyan spent 30 years building an art ecosystem in my hometown of Kharkiv. She established two contemporary art galleries, one of which is the Kharkiv Municipal Gallery, the first Municipal gallery in Ukraine, opened in 1996.

Tatyana Tumasyan at her gallery | Source: CityX

The collection of both galleries consists of more than 500 artworks, many of which come from the beginning of the 20th century. Each painting represents a personal story for me, my mother, my city and my country. Now, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, we don’t