Claudiu Guraliuc (GC)

The web3 initiative/project (or whatever you want to call it) that resonates with me most is punk6529`s "Seize the memes". Because its goal of educating and spreading the message of decentralization aligns with my own values. And also because as we strive to effect real change, it's essential that the message reaches as many people as possible.

That`s why, as an artist, I've been exploring ways to contribute to the movement but in a way that retains the style of my work.

The baroque period in art bears a heavy influence on everything I create. My work is first and foremost an attempt to translate the aesthetic of the Old Masters to the means of expression of digital photography. I believe that by combining the best of the past with the possibilities of the present, I can create images that are both timeless and modern, and that will continue to inspire and move viewers for generations to come. Ultimately, my goal is to pay homage to the traditions of the Old Masters while also finding ways to make their aesthetic relevant and accessible to contemporary audiences.

You may or may not know it, but the whole baroque aesthetic was partially born from the need of the catholic church for a better, more effective instrument of propaganda.

So what better start for me than reinterpreting one of the most iconic works of the time, "Salvator Mundi". And try to do it in a way that's both respectful and can incorporate the message.

That's how NYKNYC came to be. This here, is a meme card that is 100% me.

I am convinced that Memes ARE a form of modern day iconography.

So, the work is a nod to the original painting's religious significance and hints at the hardware`s wallet level of importance in the web3 world.

The central figure of the piece is a digital studio photography interpretation of Leonardo da Vinci "Salvator Mundi," with the addition of the words "Not your keys not your coins" (in Latin, of course) emblazoned across the upper part of the piece. Of course, the glass orb in the painting symbolizing the world, was replaced by the all too familiar Ledger.
Using a familiar and iconic image, it aims to encourage viewers to take note of the critical message, emphasizing that it is their responsibility to protect their cryptocurrency assets. The use of a digital medium highlights the importance of the internet and the role it plays in the decentralized future, further underscoring the need for responsible ownership of digital assets.

To put it short, Jesus saves. In web3, make His job easier: use a hardware wallet!