The Digital Art Revolution with Purpose

In the manic first weeks of March 2025, a wild experiment in charitable art collection roared to life from the fertile mind of digital artist Romina Lezcano (known online as velvetpotassium). The Presente initiative—a project that had previously existed in the physical realm—was now mutating into something far more ambitious: a digital art collection designed specifically to funnel resources to Trans, Travesti, and Non-Binary (TTNB) communities in Buenos Aires.

"✦♡⌐◨-◨♡✦ PRESENTE OPEN CALL ✦♡⌐◨-◨♡✦" screamed the announcement on March 5th, adorned with a hypnotic pink-grid backdrop and cartoonish star creatures sporting various expressions from sad to startled. This wasn't just another art solicitation; this was a psychedelic battle cry for the marginalized.

The call to arms was clear: artists were invited to create digital works that would provide emotional support and companionship to viewers—not abstract conceptual pieces, but art that functioned as a digital embrace. "Create something that makes the viewer feel comforted, seen, and loved. A gentle reminder that we're all connected, even from afar," the guidelines suggested.

Education as Revolution: The Great Digital Onboarding

The savage reality of the digital divide became immediately apparent to Lezcano as she launched this initiative. Many potential contributors—especially those from marginalized communities—remained unfamiliar with digital art platforms. Rather than shrug and move on with the technologically privileged, she took a more radical approach.

"Today, together with my fam, we've hosted a free webinar for those who are still offchain and want to join this new era of Presente," Lezcano reported on March 8th. The virtual workshop, conducted in both Spanish and English, represented a fundamental commitment to accessibility—a practical acknowledgment that revolution requires education.

The recorded session was promptly made available online, accompanied by detailed documentation in both languages. "I've made this doc with every detail to join this amazing project to help the TTNB community in Argentina making art (๑'ᵕ'๑)⸝*࿐," Lezcano shared, revealing the kind of manic attention to detail that separates genuine activists from dilettantes.

This wasn't just about art collection; it was about empowerment through knowledge transfer. The educational component extended beyond mere technical instruction to include guidance on how artists could participate in the split revenue model, with a suggested "90% to donate and 10% for artist, but you choose" structure that put decision-making power directly in creators' hands.

The Fierce Logic of Direct Engagement

By March 11th, with the open call in full swing and a growing roster of artist applications, Lezcano wasn't content to remain in the digital realm. "This week, I'm making it a priority to visit Hotel Gondolín in person," she declared. "I believe that face-to-face interaction is crucial for building a strong connection and understanding their needs more deeply."

The insistence on physical presence represents a profound acknowledgment that digital initiatives must be grounded in real human connection to have genuine impact. "I want to have a closer, more in-depth conversation about our initiative and how we can best support them," Lezcano explained, articulating a philosophy that recognizes the limitations of purely digital activism.

The specificity of her intentions was telling: "I intend to inquire about any urgent financial needs or specific areas where our community's support could make a tangible difference." This wasn't vague do-gooderism but targeted assistance based on actual needs assessment.

Most striking was Lezcano's expressed desire to deliver a message beyond financial support: "I want to personally deliver the message that a strong and dedicated community stands firmly behind them. I want to show them that our community is not just offering assistance, but also genuine companionship and solidarity."

The same day, she revealed plans to extend this personal outreach to the second beneficiary as well: "Luego me acercaré al Mocha Celis con el mismo objetivo, seguramente sea la próxima semana." ("Then I will approach Mocha Celis with the same objective, probably next week.")

The Machinery of Compassion Takes Form

As the March 15th submission deadline approached, the project's infrastructure was functioning with clockwork precision. "All invitations to the collaborative collection were sent to those who signed up in the form. Please check your profile!" Lezcano announced on March 11th, alongside reminders of the approaching deadline.

The collection materialized like a desert mirage at Objkt.com, no longer theoretical but a growing digital sanctuary. The mechanics were transparent: submissions open until March 15th, a collaborative collection that would remain active for two months, with proceeds split evenly between Hotel Gondolín and Bachillerato Mocha Celis.

"I'll be sharing every proof of funds transactions," Lezcano promised, addressing the reasonable skepticism that often accompanies charitable initiatives in the digital realm. This commitment to transparency—combined with direct engagement with beneficiary organizations—created a model that bridges digital creation with tangible community support.

As the deadline loomed, the machine was in motion, the gears grinding forward with inevitable purpose. The digital art revolution wasn't just about aesthetics but about mobilizing creative resources for direct community impact—a model that could potentially transform how marginalized communities access support through cultural production.