The dark sides of the mind - C3naa
“Seeing injustice and living through tyranny, hate, and thirst for blood, day in and day out, does something to you, your soul, and your vision. I needed to channel that anger and sadness and helplessness and tried to figure out the best and cleanest way to do so, buried in symbolism and minimalism.”
C3naa’s name, C3naax, plays on the name Cena and the letter C, symbolizing "see," which ties into the Latin phrase from Jules Verne’s novel, “Aures habent et non audient” (They have ears but hear not). C3naa adapted this to focus on "seeing" rather than hearing. He explains, "They have eyes but see not. I always felt like that about people not from Iran, especially the politicians in power in Western countries who deal with the Islamic Republic. People who ignore the sights in front of their eyes."
From a young age, art has been a central part of C3’s life. As a quiet child with a deep fascination for fantasy worlds and mythology, he turned to art as a way to escape challenging circumstances and create his own imaginary spaces.
Growing up in Iran presented its own set of challenges and experiences. C3 explains how his upbringing influenced his work: "Seeing injustice and living through tyranny, hate, and thirst for blood, day in and day out, does something to you, your soul, and your vision. I needed to channel that anger and sadness and helplessness and tried to figure out the best and cleanest way to do so, buried in symbolism and minimalism."
Above: 'WE THE PEOPLE.', minted on Foundation on 27 May 2022
His father was also instrumental in shaping who he is today. Reflecting on how this relationship impacted him, the artist shares, "I had a difficult father and a difficult childhood in a difficult neighborhood in a difficult country. It made me an extremely angry person, and art—doing art, searching for art, and finding art—made me calmer and happier."
In his early artistic journey, C3 was deeply involved in political activism, particularly around the protests following the 2009 presidential election in Iran. He created pieces for a political magazine and actively participated in the protests. When discussing how these formative experiences influenced his approach to political art, he says, "It developed through the years. It was not character-based in the beginning and was heavily abstract."
Place of the Damned by C3naa minted as Dystract VII on objkt on 15 September 2022
One of the most personal and revealing pieces in his oeuvre is Museum of Innocence. Although created after his initial engagement with political themes, this work provides critical insight into C3’s personal life and artistic vision.
Museum of Innocence by C3naa minted on 31 March 2022 on SuperRare.
He describes it as a personal and detailed self-documentary: "I rarely use my personal memories in my work. That piece includes my personal memories throughout my life. My childhood, my mother, public executions in town squares, protests in streets, killing of the passengers of flight PS752 by IRGC, etc. It is personal and it differs in visual aesthetic." This piece offers a unique perspective on his life experiences and the evolution of his art.
As C3’s artistic vision evolved, he began to develop and design a unique type of character. Around 2017-18, he introduced his “dystopians”— C3 explains, "I started to develop and design a unique kind of character, almost emotionless in facial expressions, with geometric cone or triangle-shaped bodies which I later named dystopians. After that, I envisioned this character in different stories.
Dystopians by C3naa
Although he never expected to become a full-time artist or activist, he admits, "I always knew I would keep making art until I drop dead," he said. "But doing it full time? No. I was quite convinced not a single person other than the small circle of my friends and family will ever see any of my pieces, let alone appreciate them."
A few years later, C3naa's art reached a wide circle of people.
Over time, what began as a personal escape turned into a professional pursuit.
This transition was marked by the sale of his first NFT, "Throne of Blood," to MR703 in 2021. Inspired by XCopy’s work, which broadened his understanding of NFTs beyond PFP collections, he decided to mint his first piece.
"Throne of Blood," originally created during the turmoil of Bloody November in 2019, was chosen. C3 explains, "During that month, the internet of the whole country was shut down, and there was no communication with the outside world. I was active in protests on the streets, and when I got home, I needed to get rid of all the emotions inside me, so Throne of Blood was born during that month."
Years later, it became the first piece he minted on-chain and influenced the visual aesthetic of his work immensely.
As C3’s artistic vision developed, he began to explore themes of totalitarian control and societal collapse more deeply, influenced significantly by dystopian literature. Works such as George Orwell’s 1984, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale became significant in shaping both the aesthetic and thematic elements of his work.
C3 reflects, "These books feel very close to our daily lives inside Iran under Islamic rule. They all share communist or totalitarian propaganda poster aesthetics. Red, black, and white dominant colors are essential to me."
This influence is evident in works like "The Rebel Queen," where he references Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" and draws parallels with the struggles of Iranian women: "Female characters in my pieces are almost always heroes. They are the representation of the women of my country who are fighting for their rights and lives every day. Atwood was heavily influenced by the Islamic Revolution of Iran before writing The Handmaid's Tale. It is the story of my people."
Building on these dystopian influences, C3’s exploration of abstract art, particularly in his "Dystract" series, reflects his ongoing engagement with themes of oppression and minimalism. "I wanted to challenge myself to see how much 'less' I can get in a painting while holding the message alive.”
“Dystracts are stripped down to just brush strokes and colors mostly."
As the series progressed, the abstraction and intensity evolved, reflecting his exploration of minimalism. "Dystract V," titled "Blood of my Blood," is particularly striking, representing true events from post-revolution Iran, specifically in the Kurdistan province, where people were executed by firing squads without trial. "The piece is the POV of the firing squad looking at prisoners getting killed and drowning in blood," he notes.
In his series titles, C uses the wordplay to deepen the thematic impact. The ‘y’ in Dystract serves to highlight the concept of "distraction" within a dystopian context, reflecting how such distractions are a part of the oppressive environment. Meanwhile, Dystress combines "dystopia" and "stress," with C noting, "Yes. I wanted to emphasize that they all happen in dystopia. As distractions from reality and the distress of living through it."
The Dystress collection, moved from eth to xtz
C3's broader body of work centers around his unique universe, "Dystopia." He describes. C's signature universe includes categories such as “Rebels,” “Outsiders,” and “Dead.”
He elaborates, "I created a single universe and tried to tell the stories of different kinds of characters living in that universe. It’s a dystopian and dark universe like my own world. Some pieces are more abstract, some are about places, some about historic events, and some about characters. I thought the storytelling, which I admire the most in art, would be better if it happened in the same universe."
You can find Dystopia characters on Tezos. He told us he appreciated the opportunity to mint on Tezos, noting that purchasing cryptocurrencies, including Tezos, remains challenging in Iran but has become somewhat easier over time.
In his rebel portraits, C3 favors a composition with the head slightly down or facing forward. He states, "I like the intensity of the non-existent 'stare' of the rebel in that composition. Defiant, brave, angry and calm." This choice of angle enhances the emotional impact of the portraits, emphasizing the character's defiance and inner strength.
C3’s style is heavily influenced by comic book art and artists. He also intentionally obscures the local elements of his country in his work, aiming to bury them in colors and shapes so that they resonate more universally. He notes, "I wanted to strip the local elements of my country in my art; I wanted to bury it in colors and shapes, so at first glance they wouldn't look like Iran and everyone could sympathize with them."
The Messenger by C3naa, minted on SuperRare on 27 March 2024
Recurring motifs and symbols, such as circles and semicircles in various colors and textures, play a significant role in C3’s work, especially in the creation of his rebel characters: "Circles, semicircles, in different colors and textures, some outside and some on the forehead of the characters, I usually use them as an indicator of the feeling I have while creating the character. Since almost all of my characters are emotionless, I use those circles to show how they are feeling or how I'm feeling."
C3’s work also grapples with the harsh realities of life under the Iranian regime. In Crimes of the Dead, skeletons represent various "crimes" against the regime, such as kissing or improper hijab. This portrayal reflects the harsh realities faced by individuals under such a regime.
The concept of the "Ministry of Truth," from Orwell’s 1984, is a crucial aspect of C3’s thematic exploration, reflecting his critique of state control and manipulation. This theme is particularly evident in "The Executioner’s Journal," which is based on the diary of a security force member working in a prison under IRGC management.
C3 explains, "It is very common to see these people every day and at work. I wanted to show the absurdity and paradox of their situation." The journal's tone, which normalizes horrifying acts of violence, comments on the desensitization and normalization of state violence in Iran, echoing Orwellian manipulation of information and history. C3 noted:, "Every theory Orwell wrote about I have lived in real life. The Party is always right in Iran and it kills you for it if you disagree."
The Watchers by C3naa
C3’s use of blockchain technology also connects to his broader aim of challenging historical narratives. He uses this technology to preserve unaltered accounts of political and social protests, reflecting his belief that "history is a set of lies agreed upon." By storing these stories on the blockchain, C3 aims to offer a reliable historical record free from censorship or distortion. "I just wanted these stories to be stored in some place safe that cannot be erased," he adds.
Regarding the current situation in Iran, C3 has previously discussed how many Iranians support sanctions because they weaken the regime, despite the significant economic hardships these sanctions cause. These measures are seen as necessary but contribute to the daily struggles of ordinary people. C3 is clear about the limitations of reform in Iran: "Reform? No. Revolution? Yes. This regime is not reformable. It must go."
On a broader scale, C3’s work resonates with global conversations about freedom of speech. His art critiques the suppression of free expression under repressive regimes and highlights how state control stifles creativity and personal freedom. Despite the often somber tone of his work, it is imbued with a theme of resilience and resistance. C3 views himself as part of a minority of artists who follow their own unique path, much like 'The Little Black Fish,' who dared to swim against the tide. This symbolism reflects his rebellious spirit and enduring hope, speaking to audiences beyond Iran and engaging with universal themes of resistance and the fight for freedom.
While C3’s art reflects his engagement with political and social issues, his creative process and philosophy also play a crucial role. Reflecting on his personal connection to art, C3 explains, "It's the only way I know of dealing with the ugliness of the world, creating or searching for beauty." Art is a vital tool for him to navigate and make sense of the world's harsh realities. Addressing the notion of art’s subjectivity, C3 argues, "I do believe that the quality of art has objective values and reducing it to the subjective interpretation of the viewer or artist is naive and dull."
C3’s approach to art is deeply influenced by his emotional state. Although he does not always listen to music while creating, he occasionally gravitates towards specific sounds that shape his work. For his Rebels series, he has been known to listen to the Mongolian rock band The Hu, and for his Dystracts series, he has played Max Richter’s "On the Nature of Daylight" on repeat. This music helps to set the mood and intensity for those pieces when he does choose to incorporate it.
In addition to music, C3 maintains visual diaries that he refers to as "emotion capsules in time." These diaries are crucial for him, serving as a method to capture and reflect on his emotions. He revisits these diaries to maintain the authenticity of his feelings and to potentially integrate these emotions into his larger works.
Recently, C3’s work has received significant recognition, highlighted by an auction at Sotheby’s. Reflecting on this achievement, he shared, "It is pretty surreal, going from a canvas in my room in Tehran to the wall of Sotheby’s simply because I minted a piece on Rarible 3 years ago. These kinds of things don’t happen in my world, ever. It still is an unreal dream."
Quick takes with C3
1. What’s your favorite type of tea?
Black Ceylon tea.
2. Do you want to shout out any artists on Objkt that deserve more recognition?
XerOx @Xer0x_NFT, Sabato @sabatobox, Strano @5tr4n0, Manfredi @Itsfredi1, Absolutely Wrong @Abs0lutelywrong, Luciana Guerra @lucianaguerraok, Ozbren @ozbren_xyz, Violet Bond @VioletBondArt, Daniel W @danielwponto02, DashxCrash @dashxxxcrash, Alireza Movahedi @alii_ps, PrettySweetie, DeAndradeCarlos @deandradecarlos, Jordi Gandul @jordigandul, 1BitNecro @1BitNecro, Smile Ghost @SmileGhostNFT, Tania Rivilis @tania_rivilis, Lisavetarraii @LisavetaRaii, niftymonki @niftymonkee.
3. What’s the first thing you remember drawing as a child?
A space rocket.
4. What is your favorite comic?
The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller and Watchmen by Alan Moore.
5. What is a book that is particularly significant to you?
The Lord of the Rings.
6. What is your favorite mythology story?
Pandora’s box.
7. Who is your favorite character from The Lord of the Rings?
Aragorn.
8. Which Hayao Miyazaki film is your favorite?
Princess Mononoke.
