Nirvana photographer responds to backlash from NFT group photo auction
A photographer selling never-before-seen Nirvana photos as NFTs has come under fire for it and responded to the backlash.
As previously reported, the photos/NFTs in question are from photographer Faith West of Nirvana’s October 1, 1991 show at JC Dobbs in Philadelphia. These Nirvana NFTs are available through PopLegendz.com and will be up for grabs on February 20, which also marks what would have been Kurt Cobain’s 55th birthday. Half of the proceeds will go to The Trevor Project to support at-risk LGBTQ+ youth, while a portion of the rest of the sales will benefit Grid Alternative, which provides solar energy resources to working/poor families.
West took action via official Pop Legendz Twitter after strong wire shared their story about Nirvana NFTs, which received a number of negative responses in response to the news. West shared a number of the same responses to critics. One was, “I’m the photographer, I’m selling what I hope is the best way. After taking a few dollars to make up for the salary I lost during COVID, I’m donating the rest to the Trevor Project for Suicidal LGBTQ Youth and Grid Alternatives to provide solar power to poor working families.
Another was, “Hey, I get why you guys are suspicious of my project. I’m also a Nirvana fan, and I respect you and all the fans who defend Kurt’s memory. There’s been a lot to hate about how he’s been remembered since his death. My project is a little different, so I hope you can hear me… NFTs, for all their drawbacks, allow artists to retain copyright and make a small royalty on all future sales. We earn so little for our work. Right-clicking and copying have enslaved so many artists. NFTs have given us back some dignity.
In an exchange that criticized the amount of energy used to create an NFTWest responded in part, “For what it’s worth, I’m researching environmentally sensitive blockchains for the future.”
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Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who knows the label well and is extraordinarily nice.