Exclusive Interview with Koosha Azim
Disclaimer: This article is not intended as investment advice. Seek a duly licensed professional for investment advice.
Koosha Azim is an 18 year old artist, record producer and writer. He wrote a book called “Stablecoin Economy: Ultimate Guide to Secure Digital Finance”. A member of Generation Z, Koosha is already making an impact on the blockchain & cryptocurrency space. His art portfolio and biography could be found on his personal website, kooshaazim.com.
Exclusive Interview
1. Being 18 years old is a great time to be creative and it looks like you have taken advantage of the pandemic and have not stopped being creative. You are an artist, a record producer, and a writer. Do you think non-fungible tokens will allow you to create something that mixes all of your interests (music, art, writing)?
NFTs certainly grant me a medium to experiment and explore combinations of music, writing, and art. The market’s high velocity has given young artists like me a chance to absorb the latest trends and bring ideas to fruition. In the future, I plan to drop unreleased music paired with unique artwork through non-fungible tokens. The industry has sparked a collaborative ethos between artists and collectors, inspiring me to provide value to everyone I meet. This value transcends art and will encapsulate my identity through numerous mediums.
2. Most 18-year-olds are unaware of the technological revolution that is currently happening with blockchain technology. How did you first become interested in this subject? Do you plan on studying this topic more in-depth in college?
I ran into Bitcoin in October of 2017 during a stock-trading competition in high school. Curious about the asset’s explosive price movement, I went home and googled just about everything regarding cryptocurrencies. My Bitcoin-related searches soon exposed me to Ethereum and smart contracts. From there, I familiarized myself with this revolutionary decentralized money movement.
After seeing how sanctions and poor monetary policy hurt my family members in the middle east, I adopted a bullish stance on decentralized finance. Since 2018, I have been working with various blockchain and crypto startups to enhance my capabilities with the technology. Now, I aim to continue my studies within the space during my college experience. Along with studying economics and computer science, I will expand my artistic development as well.
3. “Of Mice & Men” is your first animated NFT that is currently listed on Foundation. That book is read by high school students all over the country. Can you describe the meaning behind this NFT you have created?
Link to the artwork “Of Mice & Men — https://foundation.app/koosha/of-mice-men-2886
“Of Mice & Men” displays numerous facial expressions and subliminal themes from John Steinbeck’s novella. In the story, the characters are placed into dependent situations of isolation. Despite chasing the ambitious ‘American Dream’, these figures seek to suppress those who are weaker than themselves.
The artwork presents a snake threatening a poor mouse’s life. The snake’s danger and reflection of fear resemble the story’s image of fear among working-class characters. Steinbeck suggests that fear is an intricate part of life for oppressed individuals and that this fear spreads to their oppressors as well. The jagged objects and teeth in the art further push the idea of danger and hostility. The overall composition represents my fear of isolation and reaching below my expectations.
4. Crypto art moves fast and it has been commercialized overnight. How do you plan on preserving your creative energy and originality?
My progress in any space is driven by my relentless belief in self. I believe in my abilities to create timeless art and present a unique aura into diverse settings. Crypto art has no limitations other than the comfort-zone of the artist. Since minting my first NFT in September of 2020, I have not stopped improving my skills and honing in on my craft. Preserving my creative energy is simple as long as I throw myself in new perplexing stages that challenge my past identities. I also have faith in my growth outside of artistic industries. Regardless of my artistic output, I will make myself busy and productive in anything I put my heart into.
I try my best to live an exciting life. By experiencing higher highs and lower lows, I create more authentic compositions. Ideas flow better when I am self-consciously developing myself as a human. My Iranian heritage also adds layers to my creative thought-process; cursive Farsi words and phrases populate many of my pastel art pieces. By building a unique and honest character, I will continue my journey with more destinations in my sight.
5. As one of the few 18-year-olds in the country who understands the importance of blockchain, what would you tell people who continue to ignore this technology?
People are missing out on a technological and cultural revolution that will unfold regardless of their entry. Being closed-minded about new technology does not help anybody — not even the skeptics. Power has long been held in the hands of centralized systems where gatekeeping or secrecy limit innovation. With the rise of Web 3.0 and cryptocurrencies, Gen Z has the opportunity to embrace a new digital economy that favors their ambitious desires. Blockchain technology is providing the base layer for countless platforms that will propel the next artists, engineers, and builders.
We have reached a new point in time where the opportunities are boundless, and this technology still has uncharted territory to conquer. Those who choose to ignore these truths will lose the most important asset of all, time.
6. What was the inspiration behind the book you co-authored: “Stablecoin Economy: Ultimate Guide to Secure Digital Finance”?
Before Defi really took off in the mainstream crypto space, stablecoins began establishing themselves as a key tool in decentralized exchanges. My co-author Alyze Sam gave me the opportunity to build upon her research in the space and help bring the book project to the public. I was fascinated by stablecoins and how they acted as a cross between fiat and crypto financial systems. Nowadays, I give weekly lectures about stablecoins and consensus mechanisms to students at Althash University. Althash’s primarily African student body allows me to provide more information about the industry to students. These students then go on to transact with USD-based stablecoins and apply their knowledge to empower local economies. The book project inspired me to get into teaching and also prepared me for moments where I create course material. I am now inspired to create lectures about NFTs for these students and bring crypto art to the African people.
