Misan Harriman, a renowned photographer and producer, has shared his vision for a more equitable Web3. In his view, the emerging technologies of Web3 should be designed to benefit everyone, not just a select few. Harriman believes that by creating an open and decentralized system, Web3 can promote greater financial inclusion and economic empowerment. He emphasizes the need for diversity and representation in the development of Web3, so that the technology reflects the needs and perspectives of a wide range of communities. Harriman’s vision for a more equitable Web3 is a call to action for the tech industry to prioritize social justice and inclusion in its innovation.
Misan Harriman: Pioneering A More Inclusive and Equitable Web3
Misan Harriman is a Nigerian-born photographer who has made history as the first Black man to shoot a cover for British Vogue in the magazine’s 104-year history. Harriman’s journey started five years ago when he picked up a camera for the first time at the urging of his wife, though he had struggled with dyslexia and had doubted his abilities as an artist for years. By 2020, Harriman became one of the most widely-shared photographers of the Black Lives Matter movement, and in 2022, he joined the Tezos Foundation as a curator and manager for its permanent £1 million art collection.
However, Harriman’s journey is not only about personal and artistic growth but also about the democratizing potential of blockchain technology. As an artist who has faced his own obstacles in the art world, Harriman believes that blockchain technology has the potential to level the playing field and democratize the art world for artists all around the world. He sees opportunities in the intersection between technology, art, and equity, and how blockchain technology can connect artists with audiences and remove power from traditional gatekeepers while supporting communities to decide the value of an artwork.
Harriman believes that the decentralized nature of blockchain technology can enable artists from anywhere in the world to showcase their work and gain recognition and support from audiences, even in areas far from luxurious galleries where so many creators have exhibited and made reputations. The technology has the potential to create a more equitable ecosystem where talented individuals from regions previously underrepresented can thrive and gain support.
However, despite Harriman’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in the art world, he acknowledges that the current Web3 landscape is dominated by developers from North America and Europe. He argues that access to liquidity could be the catalyst for meaningful global change, allowing talented artists and developers alike in economically impoverished nations to focus on building instead of worrying about survival. For Harriman, the real solution is for those directly affected in the regions concerned to establish solutions and opportunities from the ground up.
Harriman is determined to foster conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the Web3 space, which is why he founded Culture3, a publication dedicated to showcasing artists, builders, and communities augmented by and built on blockchain. As an advisor to multiple projects, Harriman guides them towards meaningful support for underrepresented groups, creating funds designated for promoting art from diverse voices, and featuring more LGBTQ+ artists, beyond token gestures like rainbow logos during Pride month.
Harriman envisions a future Web3 where diverse voices are represented, and opportunities for talented individuals worldwide are recognized and supported. He believes that blockchain technology can create a more equitable and inclusive ecosystem, and he is determined to make that vision a reality.
Title 1: Misan Harriman: Shaping A More Equitable and Inclusive Web3
Title 2: How Blockchain Technology Can Democratize The Art World, According to Misan Harriman