By Stefan Arnold, The Wallflower
Hello again all!
I was hoping to publish this newsletter two week or so ago, but sometimes, life happens. And when life happens, just chilling out can be called for. … So that’s what I have been doing.
One of my escapes (and now deep dives) has been to Artblocks.io. Art Blocks is a wonderful site that hosts generative art that is embedded in the Ethereum blockchain. The art is not ON the blockchain; the art is coded INTO the blockchain. So, for as long as the Ethereum blockchain exists, the art will be there.
The art is a wonderful variety of simple to fantastic patterns with one thing in common. All of the art is generated by an algorithm according to computer code, usually Processing, JavaScript, or JavaScript library p5.js.
But wait you ask, nearly spilling your coffee, if it’s an algorithm and code, can’t there be more than one of the same artwork? The answer, thankfully for my wallet, is yes! In fact, the artists set an edition limit from small (10) to very large (10,000). And because the code is designed to start a bit differently every time, each work is different while retaining the core code and (almost always, with rare, usually valuable, exceptions) the central look of the work.
For me, I’ve found many of the works I have purchased have had a space theme. Take for example the work by the artist donnoh … planets.
planets #220, by donnoh
To get the full experience, you need to see the planets orbit … live! Check out the link below. Disclaimer: I own this particular piece, but it’s not for sale!
https://www.artblocks.io/token/91000220
And check out one from the same release … this one is Antimatter!
planets #184 by donnoh
https://www.artblocks.io/token/91000184
Of course, always look out for aliens!
planets #368 by donnoh (also owned by me)
https://www.artblocks.io/token/91000368
While planets look similar at first, distinct features evoke different emotions. The rings around planets and the mini-moons (!) are fun to find and the simplicity of the systems with fewer orbits is relaxing.
Here’s another Art Blocks work with a space feel that I bought … Void #122, by Mactuitui.
While not specifically about space, the work (to me!) could be straight from a Sci-Fi movie … a ship has just warped here, to the far edge of nowhere. Maybe Knowhere is nearby. See more information at https://www.artblocks.io/token/42000122.
My first Art Blocks purchase is sadly no longer in my portfolio, but it was (and still is) terrific. Here’s Paper Armada #1036 by Kjetil Golid.
Space Invaders feel, right? So cool. https://www.artblocks.io/token/37001036
To get some idea of the similar feel of the work but how it can be so different as well, see the gallery of the project at https://www.artblocks.io/project/37/gallery.
Sneak peek:
My journey to find great art continues in space and here on Earth. Check out artblocks.io for more than 100 other projects featuring generative, on-chain art from leaders in the field. I know you’ll be amazed and wouldn’t be surprised if some of those NFTs end up in your wallet! And remember, many of the projects move and have sound! So look around and hit the space bar a lot!
Until next time, good hunting!
Stefan