“Art is a great vehicle for communicating Bitcoin’s values.” Children’s book and collaboration with Bukele in El Salvador. Interview with Valentina Picozzi, artist and curator at Satoshigallery.
Art as a tool to convey messages and values not easily conveyed through words. This is one of the principles underlying the work of Valentina Picozzi, artist and curator of the Satoshigallery project. Her works see Bitcoin as the main protagonist and are inspired by Pop-Art. The latest PlanB Forum in Lugano was the perfect opportunity to talk with her.
One issue that is often talked about is the lack of coordination in the communication of Bitcoin’s values. Precisely because Bitcoin does not have a marketing department, it is not easy to find shared messages. Do you think art can fill part of this gap?
Sure, art can be a great vehicle. I use art to tell anecdotes or concepts that can stick with the public, sparking curiosity and insights. Art is immediate and direct; I adopt the Pop-Art style, which easily resonates with our generation. Easy-to-interpret images and bright colors help capture attention and tell stories effectively.
What works are you most proud of?
One of my favorite works is inspired by Andy Warhol and his dollar sign. In the 1960s, the dollar represented wealth and aspiration, especially in America during the economic boom. Today, I think this paradigm has changed; young people are more attracted to Bitcoin as a symbol of financial aspiration. Therefore, I created the ‘B-sign,’ inspired by Warhol’s dollar sign. I then often use my favorite quote from Satoshi Nakamoto, which is, “If you don’t believe it or don’t get it, I don’t have the time to try to convince you. I’m sorry.” That’s my favorite because it also emphasizes the speed of technology and the importance of keeping up with the times. This is a technological revolution that is changing the world, and those who choose to ignore it are falling behind.
How did you discover Bitcoin?
During my studies in dentistry and specialization in orthodontics, around 2012, my husband became interested in Bitcoin, focusing on its protocol. I followed him and we traveled around Europe visiting places frequented by hackers involved in its development. I realized that my friends, not being technical experts, had difficulty understanding Bitcoin. At the time, there was a lack of magazines or blogs explaining Bitcoin, and many concluded that it was too complex. So, I started using images to simplify the understanding and transmission of messages and values related to Bitcoin, cypherpunk culture, and libertarian philosophy. I tried to take an artistic approach to educate people about Bitcoin, using art as a form of activism.
Your work has also taken you to El Salvador, where you actively collaborate with President Nayib Bukele. Your portrait of Bukele with the claim “paso a paso” has become symbolic. How did you arrive at that work?
When El Salvador, on September 7, 2021, declared Bitcoin legal tender, I decided to do a series using the front pages of major newspapers and reworking them graphically. From there I started following everything that was happening in El Salvador. I became fascinated by the figure of this young president who was transforming the country.
In this context, I created an image for the presidential campaign, inspired by the values that I perceive from the figure of President Bukele: that is, a concrete person, who does not look in the official photos in the top right corner like Obama or Kennedy did, does not say, “I have a dream.” Bukele is not characterized by this standard that in election posters you have to be in a suit and tie, which also separates the political figure from the people who vote for him. Bukele is much closer to the people, he is perceived as someone who gets things done, so in the image he is shot from the opposite side than in traditional election posters, he is not in a suit and tie but is dressed informally, with a cap. This cap has a significant detail: at the bottom is a spot that, if you look closely, is a representation of El Salvador, but with the image flipped 180 degrees. This symbolic choice represents the change that Bukele is bringing to El Salvador. And the image is declined in the typical colors: there are those of El Salvador, so white and blue, and then I added Bitcoin orange to highlight that for the first time there is a political candidate who is not only perceived as a candidate of his own nation but also as a political reference for all the bitcoiners, who are an expanded community all over the world.
We recently went there and did this 20x6-meter mural in the Zacamil colony of San Salvador, in one of the poorest favelas in the country. Now we are working again with the government to perform an artistic redevelopment also of that area.
Bukele is also being criticized, however, for his approach to Bitcoin. The promotion of a wallet like Chivo, which censors transactions and is often malfunctioning, is a thorny issue, for example. Another issue is education about Bitcoin, which has been lacking at the public level for two years. How do you deal with criticism of the Salvadoran government?
Criticizing those who move first in an industry is a common attitude, especially when it comes to significant innovations and changes. It is inevitable that mistakes and criticism will emerge in this process. However, what I observe is a clear direction and a strong determination to correct mistakes by Bukele’s leadership, such as the idea of replacing Chivo with another wallet. His administration has made significant improvements to the country’s security in a very short time. This raises important questions about why other countries, especially those considered more developed, fail to achieve similar results in terms of security and progress.
Bukele also has an overwhelming majority in Parliament that has allowed him to act rather freely and quickly.
Of course. However, he has earned the majority. Despite the criticism, I think Bukele’s approach has provided a valuable example of what can be accomplished when innovative and bold policies are adopted. His efforts to make Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador is an example of this kind of innovation.
Last year you wrote a book designed specifically for children, “To the moon.” Where did the idea come from?
Yes, I perceived the need for a children’s book on Bitcoin because I think it is essential to introduce the new generation to this concept from an early age, so that they will be more open and ready to use it in the future.
I became a mom five years ago and the idea of writing this book has always been with me. Then, last year, I decided to make it, since there were still no works on the market suitable for children. There are picture books about Bitcoin, but they are designed for an adult audience. My intention was to create a story accessible to children, specifically for those aged 5 to 10.
In the book, each character is connected to a real-life anecdote related to the world of Bitcoin or its history. I tried to explain in a simple and light way what a bitcoin is, how it is mined, who Satoshi Nakamoto is, why the alpaca was one of the first mascots in the Bitcoin field. In addition, the book refers to various significant events in bitcoin culture, such as the honeybadger and the famous transaction for the two pizzas.
