ARTS, COMICS AND NFT IN GABON

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Nowadays, the vast majority of artists find it difficult to make a living from their art, especially in developing countries in Africa such as Gabon, where there is absolutely no public policy to value their work. Also people there use almost all their incomes solely to satisfy their basic needs.  As a result, many talents give up their dreams, seeing no future in pursuing them.

Our goal is to use the advantages and opportunities offered by Web 3.0 to benefit the community of artists in Gabon and in the sub-region, from the illustrator to the comic book writer, including the traditional painter and sculptor.

Today, with Blockchain technology and the rapid development of NFTs, artists have a unique opportunity to showcase their work to the world, no matter where they are on the planet. An artist in Gabon who could struggle to sell his work on the local market can sell a NFT to a buyer in Brazil or Australia without having to move from his workshop. All he needs is a good internet connection and a decent computer allowing him to upload his work online (both things they can seldom afford).

By working hand in hand with the artists of Gabon and the sub-region, we want to combine storytelling, art and NFT in order to make discover the diversity and the originality of African cultures to a Western audience oblivious of them.

By using comics to tell original stories, we will be able to introduce the world to an African lore that has been ignored, misunderstood and caricatured for too long. In doing so, our goal is to create several fan communities that transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, united by their passion for universes and characters never before depicted. And to strengthen the bond of these communities familiar with these stories and concepts from Africa, we will help minting NFTs inspired by African culture.

The painters, sculptors and craftsmen of Gabon are not left out in this project. Using NFTs, it is now possible to connect physical works with impossible-to-pirate digital versions, offering African creators a worldwide stage, and greater potential for turning their art into a source of income or even better, a career.

With our project ‘ART, COMICS AND NFT IN GABON’, we want to become a showcase for talented artists from Gabon and the sub-region, and thus bring innovative content to digital marketplaces. And what better way than Cardano and Project Catalyst to launch this initiative in an African country? We will start by supporting 4 artists (illustrator, comic artist, physical artist) by helping them achieve success. The success of these 4 will allow us to support other artists, and thus create a virtuous circle.

[IMPACT] Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.

With this project, we intend to make Gabon one of the most important NFT hubs in Africa, while establishing Cardano as the leading cryptocurrency there. By giving artists access to an international stage, we enable them to reach an international audience more likely to buy their work. And through the medium of comics and graphic novels, we are giving artists and writers in Gabon and Africa the chance to tell their own stories, inspired by the cultures, myths and legends of Africa that have never been told before.

[IMPACT] What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?

Risk n°1: NFT minting

The technical aspect of NFT minting could be an obstacle to prevent the smooth running of the project, especially for our artists not familiar with NFTs. Fortunately, we’re not alone: NFT Maker Pro and Hashlips as well as the great Cardano community are there to mitigate this risk.

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed plan, including timeline and key milestones for delivering your proposal.

We aim to deliver our proposal within a 9 months’ timeline.

From Day 1 to Day 90th post-funding:

- Setting up the artists' work studio, with computers, graphic tablets with a small art gallery.

- Selection of the four artists

- Selection of two comic book or graphic novel projects.

- Launch of the official website and official pages on social networks

From Day 91st to Day 180th post-funding:

- Community development

- Presentation of the first NFTs and the first artworks produced

- Online publication of the first comic strips

From Day 181st to Day 270th post-funding:

- Finalization of the NFTs series

- Involvement of the community in the overall development of the proposal

- Eventual preparation for supporting other artists

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown.

4000 USD: computers, graphic tablets, licenses for graphic software, drawing and painting tools

7800 USD:  6 months compensation fee for 4 artists (325 USD per month salary for each artist)

3000 USD: Website development,

2000 USD: community management fee, translation fee (French to English, French to Japanese), marketing and promotion

2000 USD: NFT minting (gas fee and others)

3000 USD: Administrative costs

[FEASIBILITY] Please provide details of the people who will work on the project.

Benjamin MENDOU: An experienced civil engineering computer-aid designer living in Paris, this French-Gabonese has a good understanding of Central Africa's market environment. As the CEO of the non-profit organization IKOKU France, he organizes art competitions and comics award in Gabon. He is also at the founder of the HOKUSAI PROJECT, whose objective is to allow independent Japanese comics authors to showcase their works to the French readers since 2017.

Rei Tsuchiya: Freelance journalist and writer based in Tokyo, she is the one making sure that each story is told the right way.

Annie ONDO: Accountant living in Libreville, she will be in charge of the administrative and financial aspects of the project

[FEASIBILITY] If you are funded, will you return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding? Please explain why / why not.

We will return to Catalyst in a later round for further funding only if the need arises to develop further the minting of NFTs or a to develop a specific Dapp. If not, we won’t.

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or any member of your team working on any other proposals in this Fund9?

[FEASIBILITY] Are you or your team working on any other proposals from previous Funds?

[AUDITABILITY] Please describe what you will measure to track your project's progress, and how will you measure these?

The main indicator that will allow us to track our project’s progress is the growth of our online community: We need to steadily grow our community by 1000 people each quarter and make sure to have an active community.

[AUDITABILITY] What does success for this project look like?

1. Artists from Gabon and Central African can sell their works on digital marketplaces
2. Cardano and ADA become synonymous with supporting art and the main way for artists in Gabon to earn income
3. Comic books and graphic novels telling African stories become popular outside of Africa, inspiring other talented authors and illustrators from Central Africa to strive for greatness

[AUDITABILITY] Please provide information on whether this proposal is a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst or an entirely new one.

This proposal is an entirely new one.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Rating

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all