Meta Betties, created by Blakelee and Jason Pieroni, is a postmodern feminist portal into urgent social justice initiatives through digital art collectibles and community. “We’re drawing attention and awareness to various civil conflicts and social injustices,” says Jason. “Her physicality manifests in 16 different personas, which are directly connected to specific issues, like climate change, women’s reproductive rights, gun safety, queer rights, Web3 regulation, and so on. It’s really a social advocacy collection.”

Meta Betties “I’m Culty”

The digital art work draws inspiration from Pussy Riot's unapologetic celebration of femme sexuality as a means of protest and expands upon Donna J. Haraway's pioneering work in her 1985 publication, "A Cyborg Manifesto." All culminating in a vision for a future that surpasses the conventional confines of humanity, identity, and physicality.

“It’s sexy, definitely, but it’s rooted in postmodern feminist ideology,” explains Blakelee, an artist, performer, and dancer who modeled Bettie, her project’s avatar, after herself. “We’re celebrating the irony of her unearthly sex appeal in the 21st century. It’s American fetish, so there’s hi-rise jean shorts, heels, the ‘40s pin-up aesthetic, but it’s more about the message.”

What distinguishes Meta Betties, particularly for newcomers and individuals with cryptocurrency concerns, is the innovative feature linked to geographical location. When obtaining any Meta Betties, individuals gain entry to a token-gated community platform that establishes a direct connection between users and their local senators and house representatives, each associated with a particular social issue. Collectors have the convenience of sending pre-written advocacy statements related to the respective Bettie directly to their representatives or crafting and swiftly dispatching personalized messages. This direct engagement empowers them to exert a rapid and impactful influence on congressional decisions.

Jason highlights, "We've collaborated with The Giving Block, a user-friendly fundraising platform for mission-driven initiatives. Our smart contracts incorporate crypto wallet addresses of non-profit organizations, ensuring that a portion of each sale contributes to the causes associated with the specific Bettie persona. We believe that the market has evolved beyond hype-driven PFP collectibles devoid of purpose. In contrast, our collection delivers satirical social commentary on cultural conflicts and offers advocacy tools to our collectors and cause partners."

Meta Betties “Are We Judged By the Content of Our Character Yet?”

Meta Betties “Beware Your Air”

Meta Betties recently hosted an exhibition, “Take The Bait,” at The Canvas 3.0 Web3 gallery, co-founded by Devin Gilmartin and Steff Vermeesch this fall. The event seamlessly combined the world of digital art collectibles with captivating live performances, all while fostering meaningful connections between postmodern feminism and urgent social justice movements. Meta Betties welcomed both digital art enthusiasts and emerging activists to fully immerse themselves in the collection and view the live Betties within the gallery.

“We’re interested in people who are familiar with Web3 collections, but not the flippers,” says Jason. “It’s not about the hype anymore. We have a greater responsibility now. Give me a collection that has rad art, but a meaningful mission behind it.”

At the event the digital art was displayed on the Whim canvases and harmoniously accompanied the live performances by the live Betties. The distinctive fusion acted as a catalyst to inspire individuals to embark on direct actions in support of social justice causes through the acquisition of a Meta Betties digital art collectible, minted on the Ethereum blockchain.

Meta Betties “Leave The State Stay Pregnant”

Attendees at Canvas 3.0 actively participated in the community's "Act 2 Earn" platform challenges, which allowed a gamified and engaging way to interact with the project's social advocacy dimension. Those who successfully completed these challenges were eligible for a range of enticing rewards, including entry into raffles, access to exclusive merchandise, and other appealing incentives.

Alongside the interactive components, live Betties took part in a grand-scale chess match, transforming traditional rules with artistic flair and symbolism. Furthermore, performances were staged from within a colossal birdcage, utilizing their bodies to challenge the conventional limitations of traditional gender binaries. In doing so, they boldly confront the divisive dualism deeply embedded in humanist ideologies.

“With Bettie in Web3, we have an opportunity to see her physicality disappear,” says Blakelee, making space for users who appreciate virtual and digital spaces as a means to either lean into or fade out of their IRL bodies, however, they manifest or identify on Planet Earth. Both approaches are valid. “What does postmodern feminism look like if we see her form and then the form disappears? I can’t get out of my flesh. With Web3, we won't need that after a while.”

Learn more about Meta Betties at www.metabetties.com or @MetaBetties on X and Instagram

Tearsheets by Paige Schubert, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine

Meta Betties, Activism in the Digital Age