Iconic Moments NFT Marketplace Chat with Chris Cummings

Chris Cummings is the founder and CEO of Iconic Moments, the NFT marketplace for the museum industry. Before founding Iconic Moments, Chris founded It Pass It Down, an award-winning digital exhibition design platform that transforms the way museums and cultural institutions engage their visitors. Chris discusses what Iconic Moments NFT marketplace is, the benefits and value of Iconic Moments NFT fall, and the pros and cons of releasing NFTs of art and history that already exist. He also dives into which blockchain they use, how at first there was skepticism within the cultural institutions and organizations they work with, and much more.

ADM: What sets Iconic Moments apart from similar marketplaces? What will Iconic Moments’ drops bring to the table that others do not?

Cummings: Other NFT marketplaces have their value, but the parts we sell come with a history and history. We wanted to make sure that information was shared with the NFT itself. We built Iconic Moments to have the look and feel of a museum gallery, with art or historical moments in a less crowded way.

ADM: Some may say that NFTs (and crypto in general) are risky investments because of their volatility. Is this a particular concern for Iconic Moments? How does Iconic Moments counteract NFTs?

Cummings: I’m not sure there are any investments that have no risk. Iconic Moments NFTs are like digital lithographs that support the cultural institution that houses the asset directly. By purchasing an NFT from Iconic Moments, you become the protector of that institution and join a community with similar interests.

ADM: What are the benefits and value of buying one of Iconic Moments’ NFT drops?

Cummings: In addition to supporting a cultural institution and owning a digital asset, each Iconic Moments NFT includes various tools, including access to special events, private discord channels, museum ticket discounts, merchandise and more.

ADM: Why are NFTs the best way to “save cultural institutions”?

Cummings: Everyone has different opinions about this, but Iconic Moments is important to us that these museums, archives and other institutions can stay open and share their collection with people. Ultimately, museums are places of learning that hold our collective history.

COVID threatened many institutions with closure. We want the cultural institutions to remain open and their values ​​available for the public to enjoy and learn from.

ADM: Which blockchain do you use and why?

Cummings: We’re launching on Ethereum because that’s where most NFT communities are right now. When we talk about Iconic Moments’ NFTs, we’re really talking about building a community.

ADM: What has been the response within the cultural institutions and organizations Iconic Moments works with? Was there skepticism in the beginning?

Cummings: At first there was a certain skepticism, but then other projects shared how NFTs can benefit institutions and at the same time honor the art / artist. A few examples of these projects are TIME’s TIMEPieces release in September 2021 and Belvedere’s NFT release of Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss in February 2022.

The Iconic Moments team is full of museum and cultural institution expertise. It has helped us to see things from their perspective and act as partners along the way. While there was skepticism at first, museums and archives are eager to get started with their NFT drops. Every week we receive exciting emails full of the coolest historical photos and stories that institutions can not wait to share.

ADM: Many NFTs are created solely for the purpose of NFT. Lead us through the pros and cons of releasing NFTs of ‘iconic moments’, that is: works of art and history that already exist.

Cummings: I do not want to undermine any other NFT project: We have seen many talented artists give work and we continue to be impressed by the NFT community. Usually, in this case, only one digital resource exists.

However, many of the NFTs we see are created speculative and very contemporary. At Iconic Moments, we are about timeless historical moments and art. By purchasing one of Iconic Moments’ digital assets, you directly support the museum that houses the physical work.

ADM: Will the drops be exclusively NFTs of the existing artwork / historical moment? If not, what else will they include?

Cummings: We are currently working on existing works of art and historical moments. Because so much of an institution’s archives are in the vault, many of our NFTs have never been seen before.

ADM: What’s Next for Iconic Moments? Any future projects you are excited about?

Cummings: The market is changing rapidly and we are constantly seeing innovations, so I do not want to mention any future projects yet. I would say that one of the things we are most excited about is the decentralized community NFT-Purchase is building.