By Virginia Valenzuela, Arts Editor
\n\n\n\nIt started with frog baseball; two weirdo teenagers playing games out in a desert field, their parents nowhere to be seen, their eyes and mouths glitching out like early 2000’s internet memes. The year was 1992, and newbie animator, professional blues musician, and former engineer Mike Judge had just licensed one of his first cartoons to Liquid Television for $4,000.
\n\n\n\nJudge loved drawing cartoons, even as a kid, but it was after he went to an animation festival that he was inspired to draw for real. With a 16mm movie camera, some paper, a pencil, and cels, he went to work in his free time. In 1991, he began sending tapes—yes, physical VHS tapes—out to studios to see if anyone would take a bite. Judge’s style was rigid, producing animations that felt hand-drawn and homemade, and his characters were simple on the surface and easy to laugh at. Even the storyline for “Frog Baseball” was nothing complex. And yet, the people at MTV loved it, and knew their viewers would love it as well.
\n\n\n\n“I wasn’t trying to blow someone away with visuals,” Judge said. “I was going more for character and comedy.” Judge not only wrote and animated the short, but he also did the voices and composed original music for it.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“I’ve always done imitations, and originally wanted to get into sketch comedy, and I almost did that because right as MTV was talking early on about Beavis and Butthead I got an offer from this show, the Edge, and they wanted me to do animated transitions between sketches, and I thought, this was my dream come true.”
Mike Judge
That two-minute-long film would eventually turn into one of the most iconic cult classics of the ‘90s, a little show called Beavis and Butthead that still charms audiences today. Sometimes they’d be at school, or skipping school, or watching tv on their nasty couch, commenting how “that sucks” or “that’s cool” in the world around them.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-9.11.14-PM.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-9.12.17-PM.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-9.11.53-PM.png\")
Mike Judge’s work captures moments in time in a way that is approachable, unique, and belly-achingly funny. If it wasn’t helping to spearhead cartoons for adults (did I mention he also created and was a voice actor in King of the Hill?), it was writing and directing cult classics like the 1998 film Office Space, which captured the chaos of cubicle work culture during the internet revolution. Or maybe it was the 2006 hit Idiocracy, which ventured into the apocalyptic future of an America where evolution no longer favors the intelligent, and fast food, guns, pop culture and monster trucks are king. Or, it was satirising the crazy world of Silicon Valley, based on the world Judge saw as an engineer in his early career.
\n\n\n\nEach of these works has accrued impressive followings and grown better with age. Which is part of why so many people are excited for Judge’s genesis NFT, “Dancing Dan.”
\n\n\n\nThere were cycles of walking, noted Judge, that gave him the idea that doing one of different people dancing would be, as Butthead would say, really cool. The animation—hand-drawn, of course—is of a stumpy man moving his hips to a funky little tune. It is accompanied by original music, a trio of guitar, upright bass and drums, composed and performed by Judge himself.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“When I was a kid, my grandpa would watch Lawrence Welk, which I really hated, and to me it was this old-timey way of dancing, and I really wanted to capture that,” Judge said. “There was also this song that inspired me. I’m a big fan of swing-era music and so I gave him that dorky swing.”
“Dancing Dan” is unique in that it makes the viewer feel nostalgic, but they’re not exactly sure why or what for. It taps into a style of animation that is not aimed at perfection, but rather the unique elements and imperfections that make something or someone a one-of-a-kind, making it a perfect fit for the blockchain.
\n\n\n\nJudge’s work coincided with a major cultural shift that was brought on by the digital revolution. But even with programs like ProCreate, that make it easier than ever to animate, Judge prefers a pencil and paper and a camera.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/a661dd0a6585e6126593db7a76410eb0d5-21-influences-mike-judge-3.2x.h473.w710.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-9.25.08-PM-1024x577.png\")
“People were worried when CG [computer graphics] came along, that it would ruin traditional animation,” Judge told SuperRare, “and it sort of did, but I’m guessing that when photography came along that people thought painters would be out of jobs. But that’s when great impressionist stuff happened. I think people, even just now, haven’t even scraped the surface of what can happen, just exploring CG. I think this could lead to a new explosion of art and innovation.”
\n\n\n\nBecause when depicting reality is taken care of, it allows artists to look at the world through a different lens, to experiment, to explore.
\n\n\n\nJudge has been interested in NFTs for years now, and has even spoken at conferences like the Decentralized Web Summit in 2018. “I think NFTs are the next big step towards new artists finding success and connecting with their audiences directly. There aren’t quite as many gatekeepers, and there seems to be a big demand for it. I think it’s going to enable people to share their work in such an effective way.”
\n\n\n\nThe NFT as a medium has also made it possible for artists to create works that, up until recently, did not have a place to be expressed, let alone sold for money. Judge remembered fondly how Chris Prynoski, a fellow animator who worked on the Beavis and Butthead movie, hosted something he called “five second day.” “Animators would submit something that was just five seconds long, and it really inspired people,” said Judge. Which was a relief for creators in an industry that often required each piece, each animation, to have a storyline and character development in order to be considered “finished.”
\n\n\n\n“Some people say animation is tedious or boring, doing tons of drawings, but for me it is the opposite. To me, illustrating is boring, rather than making something move. And often I’ll have a little idea, a cycle of something.” And now that little cycle can be presented, not as a scrap, but as a fully-formed product.
\n\n\n\nJudge is full of little ideas, and his work shows how big those little ideas can be. The movie Office Space started out as a little cartoon. Beavis and Butthead started out as a two-minute clip. “Dancing Dan,” and the other dancing characters he has in mind, started out, like so many of Judge’s ideas, as a joke. “Often when I get the urge to draw,” he said, “it’s because I see someone annoying and I am tempted to make fun of them.”
\n\n\n\nWhich is perhaps part of why he has grown so popular and so beloved over the years. Mike Judge is not out to impress anyone, and yet, his satire has left a deep impression on the minds of millions. He’s just a dude with pencil and paper setting out to have a laugh, and inviting us to laugh along with him.
\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Beloved American satirist Mike Judge drops his first ever NFT right here on SuperRare.
\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":13651,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1,9,113],"tags":[266,44],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-9.31.25-PM.png","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13641"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=13641"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13641/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13655,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13641/revisions/13655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/13651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=13641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=13641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=13641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https://api.w.org/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13625,"date":"2021-12-13T16:10:47","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T21:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https://editorial.superrare.com/?p=13625"},"modified":"2021-12-13T16:10:48","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T21:10:48","slug":"the-owner-of-this-interactive-nft-will-get-to-play-the-real-life-queens-gambit-but-do-they-dare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://editorial.superrare.com/2021/12/13/the-owner-of-this-interactive-nft-will-get-to-play-the-real-life-queens-gambit-but-do-they-dare/","title":{"rendered":"The owner of this interactive NFT will get to play the real life “Queen’s Gambit,” but do they dare?"},"content":{"rendered":"\nBy Mika Bar On Nesher
\n\n\n\nGender segregation in sports is the norm, and in some cases it’s actually part of the rules. Male and female athletes play in parallel worlds that rarely intersect. When it comes to chess, where the game requires no physical skill and players rely only on the strength of their minds, the insistence on segregation raises some serious questions about how we perceive gender equality once it’s stripped of biological arguments. Can two players be equal in skill if they’re never matched?
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Fsundaytimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F9cfab56a-2b5d-11eb-9d71-3a8cfebe9319.jpg?crop=2653%2C1493%2C7%2C4&resize=1200\")
In 2002 at the 3rd Russia vs Rest of the World Match, 24-year-old chess prodigy and real-life “Queen’s Gambit,” Judit Polgár defeated World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov. This was the first time in the history of any sport that the top-ranked woman in the world went up against the top-ranked male player and defeated him.
\n\n\n\nThis was no matter of luck; by the age of 5, Polgár was winning against highly skilled adult chess players. By the age of 15, she received the title of Grandmaster. She was the youngest person at the time to receive that title, the highest rank a player can earn. Her opponent, Kasparov, was arguably the greatest Chess player in the world, and had been quoted in the 1989 November issue of Playboy saying: “Some people don’t like to hear this, but chess does not fit women properly. It’s a fight, you know? A big fight. It’s not for women.” It’s not difficult to imagine what he must have sounded like off the record, but sexist comments aside, it takes an extremely skilled player to enter any boys’ club. Women are statistically discouraged to pursue certain paths from a young age. It takes an even more powerful player to meet an opponent as an equal, despite voices like Kasparov’s who argued that equality is inherently impossible.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“It means a lot to me that my historic game against Kasparov where I won got to be minted into an NFT. Creativity is a lifestyle, art is air for the soul, and innovation is the future. It was a special journey to relive my victory and create my first NFT with Laszlo Barabási and his team.”
Judit Polgár
It’s been nearly twenty years since the historic match took place in September of 2002. To commemorate her victory and the important advances women players in chess have made since then, Judit Polgár released her first NFT on SuperRare in collaboration with her friend, acclaimed network scientist and fellow pioneer Albert-László Barabasi and his team at BarabásiLab. One of the most influential labs in network science, BarabásiLab brings together scientists, artists, and designers for boundary-bending collaborations. The NFT is titled “Queen of Chess: Polgár Beats Kasparov” and it replays the historic game as a 3D interactive video, allowing the viewer to flip the board and play the game from either player’s perspective. Polgár’s white pieces and Kasparov’s black pieces move on opposite sides of the chessboard, reminding viewers that for decades women and men were rarely granted the opportunity to play on the same board.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-1.17.20-PM-1024x627.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-1.12.53-PM-1024x933.png\")
\n\n\n\n“We approached the journey with Judit with a desire to take full advantage of the capabilities offered by crypto art: to express the deep transformation that her victory brought to the acceptance of women champions. This is why we turned the historic game into a kinetic sculpture, one that offers interactivity, and allows you to follow the game from both Judit’s and Kasparov’s perspectives. I see Judit as the real-life Beth Harmon of “The Queen’s Gambit,” and the work had to match her achievement in both gravitas and elegance.”
Laszlo Barabasi
This collaborative work will be on auction through December 16th. The highest bidder will also win a rare opportunity to play Polgár herself in a private match. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Judit Polgár Chess Foundation whose mission is to invest in educational benefits of chess in children as a way to boost creativity and expertise.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“I established the Judit Polgar Chess Foundation in 2012 when I was still playing competitively. The experience and feedback reveal Chess has a place in education and can make a difference for the next generation, empowering them with better critical-thinking skills.”
Judit Polgár
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-1.13.20-PM-1024x633.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-13-at-1.14.09-PM-1024x677.png\")
This NFT is an especially exciting collaboration, a meeting between the two great minds of Polgár and Barabási. The recent recipient of the European Physical Society’s Statistical and Nonlinear Physics Prize, Barabási is the author of several books which have been translated to over twenty languages, amongst them Network Science (Cambridge, 2016). Originally intending to become a sculptor, he ended up pursuing an impressive career as a scientist, unveiling hidden complex systems using quantitative tools of network science, a field he pioneered. Barabási finds himself re-entering the realm of art with a unique perspective that pushes the boundaries of interactivity in digital realms in data art and beyond. Working together with his team, Casa Both, Milan Janoso, and Kishore Vasan, Barabási creates works that synthesize science and art, much like the fusion of creativity and logic that makes chess a timeless and impelling game. Although we’ve come a long way since 2002, only a small percentage of top world chess players are women. This unique NFT is a reminder that it takes fearless pioneers like Polgár to challenge not only the world’s top players, but the very patriarchy that segregates the game.
\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In 2002, Judit Polgár became the Billie Jean King of chess. Read about her story and her genesis NFT here.
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![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/00_OUTPOST_COLOR_FINAL_MINT-1-711x1024.png\"){kind=spacer}
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/TalesofMythius-Valkyria-1024x770.jpeg\")
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![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/10pieds-1-1024x704.jpeg\")
Weekly top 10 picks by Senior Curator
\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13609,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1,74],"tags":[44],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/10pieds-scaled.jpeg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13598"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=13598"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13598/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13613,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13598/revisions/13613"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/13609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=13598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=13598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=13598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https://api.w.org/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13549,"date":"2021-12-03T14:22:42","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T19:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https://editorial.superrare.com/?p=13549"},"modified":"2021-12-03T20:07:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-04T01:07:36","slug":"super-rares-first-space-race-is-complete-lets-take-a-look-at-the-results-%f0%9f%9b%b8-%f0%9f%8f%81","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://editorial.superrare.com/2021/12/03/super-rares-first-space-race-is-complete-lets-take-a-look-at-the-results-%f0%9f%9b%b8-%f0%9f%8f%81/","title":{"rendered":"SuperRare’s first Space Race is complete. Let’s take a look at the results 🛸 🏁 "},"content":{"rendered":"\nBy Lee Knight, Technical Community Manager
\n\n\n\nOver the last several months, the SuperRare Labs team has been working hard to build out the Spaces product and launch the Space Race, the first step towards decentralizing curation in the SuperRare Network. From the announcement of the $RARE governance token and the DAO this summer, to successful completion of the first Space Race, it’s been a thrilling ride. Through the continued support of the SuperRare community we’ve arrived at the results of the first Space Race with fantastic turnout. There were 35 incredible proposal submissions, out of which the community selected five winners.
\n\n\n\nTo enter the Space Race, prospective Spaces submit a proposal to be voted on by the community. Anyone who holds $RARE can vote, with voting weighted proportional to the number of tokens held. Voters can place all their votes on a single entrant, or spread them around to as many as they like.
\n\n\n\nWith the first race now complete, let’s take a look at the results:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/sr-9-1-1024x633.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/sr-10-1024x633.png\")
MoCA intends to focus on artists who are already a part of their collection. Aiming to revitalize their earlier and underappreciated artists, they’ll give them a chance to connect more deeply with their audience.
\n\n\n\nA burly roster of supportive members built on trust, friendship and commitment make up the team. They are focused on top OG and emerging artists, to build and propel their creative community forward.
\n\n\n\nThe Foundry team will take a more studious approach to their Space curation. Focusing on the academic understanding of the current digital art movement, they will highlight artists with unique perspectives may it be their identity, practices or worldview.
\n\n\n\nThis artist and collector community prides themselves on how world-wide their collective is, encompassing artists and collectors spanning 37 countries, and 5 continents. Aiming to leave their footprint in AR and Metaverse landscapes with influential and emerging artists.
\n\n\n\nThis artist and collector community prides themselves on how world-wide their collective is, encompassing artists and collectors spanning 37 countries, and 5 continents. Aiming to leave their footprint in AR and Metaverse landscapes with influential and emerging artists.
\n\n\n\n***
\n\n\n\nThese five groundbreaking Spaces will come online in early 2022.
\n\n\n\nThe action is only just beginning– join us on Discord for our upcoming community calls:
\n\n\n\nThe next Space Race will be announced soon, so grab your $RARE and get ready to make your voice heard and shape the future of SuperRare in the next Space Race. LFG!
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Over the last several months, the SuperRare Labs team has been working hard to build out the Spaces product and launch the Space Race, the first step towards decentralizing curation in the SuperRare Network. Let’s take a look at the results.
\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":13566,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1,113],"tags":[44,299],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/congrats-sr.jpeg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13549"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=13549"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13549/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13586,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13549/revisions/13586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/13566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=13549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=13549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=13549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https://api.w.org/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13535,"date":"2021-12-03T10:57:32","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T15:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https://editorial.superrare.com/?p=13535"},"modified":"2021-12-03T20:06:38","modified_gmt":"2021-12-04T01:06:38","slug":"ross-ulbrichts-genesis-piece-perspective-is-a-glimmer-of-hope-for-prisoners-everywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://editorial.superrare.com/2021/12/03/ross-ulbrichts-genesis-piece-perspective-is-a-glimmer-of-hope-for-prisoners-everywhere/","title":{"rendered":"Ross Ulbricht’s genesis piece “Perspective” is a glimmer of hope for prisoners everywhere"},"content":{"rendered":"\nBy Chloé Harper Gold
\n\n\n\n“I know I’m his mother, but I honestly think he’s a wonderful person. He has a wonderful, sweet nature. He’s very laid back and easygoing. He’s a lot of fun. And he’s very funny; he’s got a very quick wit. I was on Twitter with some of his old friends and one of them said, “Ross is the least judgmental person I know.” And it’s true, you feel very safe with Ross. He just doesn’t judge people. He doesn’t care about where you come from, he just really gets to the person. And that has helped him a lot in prison.”
\n\n\n\nDespite her hectic schedule, Lyn Ulbricht has taken the time to talk to yet another journalist about her son. Ross Ulbricht has been described by the people in his life as altruistic and an idealist, creative and brilliant, and overwhelmingly kind and compassionate.
\n\n\n\nThe narrative that federal prosecutors pushed painted him as a money-hungry drug kingpin who was also involved in murder-for-hire plots.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://freeross.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Uncageable_Ross_Ulbricht_Drawing_HD.png\")
In 2011, at the age of 26 years old, Ross launched the groundbreaking (and now infamous) Tor-hosted and Bitcoin-fueled ecommerce platform Silk Road. Founded on libertarian economic principles, Silk Road allowed the private and anonymous sale and purchase of goods such as art, games, hardware, and books. It explicitly prohibited the listing of stolen goods, counterfeits, weapons, assassinations (yes, really), and child sex abuse imagery and related materials. Predictably, some users took advantage of the platform’s anonymity and sold and purchased illicit drugs—mostly cannabis for personal use, according to an analysis by Carnegie Mellon University.
\n\n\n\nTwo years after Silk Road went live on “the dark web,” on October 1, 2013, Ross was arrested by the FBI in a public library in San Francisco. He was eventually charged with conspiracy to commit computer hacking, money laundering, and conspiracy to traffic narcotics. He had no prior arrests nor a history of violent behavior.
\n\n\n\nAfter a lengthy and emotionally draining trial, he was handed down two life sentences, plus forty years, without the possibility of parole.
\n\n\n\nIf you think that sentence sounds excessive, you’re not alone. In the nearly ten years that Ross has been in prison, hundreds of people have vocalized outrage and support and have written letters on his behalf petitioning for clemency. His mother, Lyn, and the rest of his family have spearheaded the Free Ross Ulbricht movement, complete with a dedicated website and hashtag (#FreeRoss).
\n\n\n\nAs detailed on freeross.org, the case was egregiously tainted by corruption. Going deeper, Ross is one of the hundreds of Americans serving life sentences for non-violent, drug-related offenses.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://freeross.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Death_Ross_Ulbricht_Painting_HD.png\")
Despite everything he’s been through, Ross’ people-first nature has held steadfast.
\n\n\n\n“He always cares about people,” Lyn says. “He cares about the underdog. And this is being reflected in this NFT.”
\n\n\n\nThe collection is comprised of a package of Ross’ original artwork and writing. Comprising of ten pieces, ranging from his early childhood to his adult life behind bars, and an animation by artist Levitate featuring Ross’ voice, The Ross Ulbricht genesis piece will be auctioned on SuperRare this week during Miami Art Week.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://freeross.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The_Trial_I_Saw_Ross_Ulbricht_Drawing_HD.png\")
Through the collection, we see Ross’ artistic skills and sensibilities evolve and mature, from the marker-and-crayon scribbles he made when he was a kid, to the incredibly detailed and stylized graphite pencil works he started drawing at age 17. The most recent piece in the collection is an oil painting on canvas he made this year, depicting a skull with flowers in the eye sockets, titled “Death.”
\n\n\n\nAnother drawing, created when Ross was 31, is a courtroom scene—his own courtroom scene. Titled “The Trial I Saw,” the subjects in the scene (a prosecutor, the judge, two spectating jurors, and other members of counsel) wear Venetian Carnival-style domino masks. The next year, he drew “Life in a Box,” which depicts himself and his former cellmate (or “cellie”) Scott in the 65-square-foot cell they shared in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. Created with graphite pencil, “Life in a Box” is visually striking and withholds no detail—including the pet mouse that he had.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://freeross.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Life_in_Box_Ross_Ulbricht_Drawing_HD.png\")
The NFT isn’t just about the art. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Ulbricht family’s charity Art4Giving, which is dedicated to alleviating the stress and suffering experienced by prisoners and their families—particularly when it comes to the expense of traveling for visitation.
\n\n\n\n“With this NFT, I see a chance to make a difference,” Ross said in a statement published on freeross.org. “My own future may look bleak, but I can still do a little something to heal the damage I see all around me.”
\n\n\n\nLyn says that the topic of NFTs was introduced to her by Ross’ friend Rob Hustle and around the same time by Ross himself during one of their phone calls. The project came together with the help of a supporter of Ross, who goes by the name “Trippy,” who has experience in the NFT space. Trippy also connected Lyn with SuperRare.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://ipfs.pixura.io/ipfs/Qmdfr7QKy5d6FUkzXySYuVxm5kKLtrHi3d8mfAaAyqniqg/Perspective_Ross_Drawing_HD.png\")
In a way, it seems that Ross Ulbricht’s entire journey is connected by the thread of cryptocurrency. Silk Road operated on Bitcoin, and now his family is minting NFTs of his artwork, which will be purchased with Ether.
\n\n\n\n“I would say a lot of our donations have been crypto-based,” Lyn muses. “That’s the community and he’s a bit of a legend in that community. They want him out and they want to help me get him out. He shouldn’t be in prison. He’s got a lot to give. And I’ve been working very hard for over eight years to get him out of there and out here, where he can do some real good.”
\n\n\n\nThe Ross Ulbricht Genesis Collection is now up for auction on SuperRare.
\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ross and Lyn Ulbricht on the importance of art and the pursuit of justice. More on Ross’s genesis drop on SuperRare.
\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":13537,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1,9,113],"tags":[267,44],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2021-12-03-at-10.52.08-AM.png","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13535"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=13535"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13535/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13585,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13535/revisions/13585"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/13537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=13535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=13535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=13535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https://api.w.org/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13453,"date":"2021-11-25T21:05:29","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T02:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"https://editorial.superrare.com/?p=13453"},"modified":"2021-11-25T21:13:42","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T02:13:42","slug":"weekly-top-10-picks-by-an-41","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://editorial.superrare.com/2021/11/25/weekly-top-10-picks-by-an-41/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly top 10 picks by an"},"content":{"rendered":"\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hades_final-775x1024.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TheBanquetnft-845x1024.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BowlofJPEGs-scaled.gif\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TheNightDistrict-1024x640.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/WhenNoOneIsWatching-683x1024.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/6n5_SummerMorning-1-1024x724.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TheDoorman-792x1024.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DSC08191copycopy-4copy-2-813x1024.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/emptyspace-1-768x1024.jpeg\"){kind=spacer}
Weekly top 10 picks by Senior Curator an
\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1,74],"tags":[44],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/emptyspace-scaled.jpeg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13453"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=13453"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13453/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13471,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13453/revisions/13471"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/13465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=13453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=13453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=13453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https://api.w.org/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13421,"date":"2021-11-25T14:07:52","date_gmt":"2021-11-25T19:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"https://editorial.superrare.com/?p=13421"},"modified":"2021-11-26T23:17:00","modified_gmt":"2021-11-27T04:17:00","slug":"hidden-gems-popular-new-artists-who-havent-sold-their-first-artwork","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://editorial.superrare.com/2021/11/25/hidden-gems-popular-new-artists-who-havent-sold-their-first-artwork/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Gems: Popular new artists who haven’t sold their first artwork"},"content":{"rendered":"\nBy Luke Whyte, Editorial Director
\n\n\n\nWe’ve dusted off our Compaq‘s monitor, fired up SuperRare’s Zip Drive and spent the night burning through inkjet cartridges to bring you this data-driven edition of “Hidden Gems”:
\n\n\n\nHere are the five artists with the highest SuperRare follower counts among those that joined in the last six months who are yet to sell a single artwork. (Excluded from the list are artists without an artwork open to offers below 5 ETH.)
\n\n\n\nExplore and discover!
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i2.wp.com/editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-1-sm.jpg?ssl=1\")
![\"\"](\"https://i1.wp.com/editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-2-sm.jpg?ssl=1\")
![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-4-sm.jpg?ssl=1\")
![\"\"](\"https://i2.wp.com/editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-3-sm.jpg?ssl=1\")
View @thefabricant’s profile here.
\n\n\n\nView @tishkbarzanji’s profile here.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://i1.wp.com/editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2-1-sm.jpg?ssl=1\")
![\"\"](\"https://i0.wp.com/editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2-2-sm.jpg?ssl=1\")
View @joiceloo’s profile here.
\n\n\n\nView @itsryandanderson’s profile here.
\n\n\n\nThe top five new artists with the highest follower count yet to sell a single artwork.
\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":13423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[297,44,275,259,296,295],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1-1-sm.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13421"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=13421"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13421/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13490,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13421/revisions/13490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/13423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=13421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=13421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=13421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https://api.w.org/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13366,"date":"2021-11-24T15:31:26","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T20:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https://editorial.superrare.com/?p=13366"},"modified":"2021-11-29T11:56:41","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T16:56:41","slug":"celebrating-indigenous-heritage-month-with-a-new-nft-exhibit-transform-la","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://editorial.superrare.com/2021/11/24/celebrating-indigenous-heritage-month-with-a-new-nft-exhibit-transform-la/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Indigenous Heritage Month with a new NFT exhibit: Transform LA"},"content":{"rendered":"\nBy Mika Bar On Nesher
\n\n\n\nThe “Transform” exhibit will drop on SuperRare on November 26th, bringing to the forefront indigenous NFT artists alongside international creators under a common theme of reconciliation. Voices that have often been silenced, pushed into the outskirts of our historical narratives come to the forefront in this unique show curated by Evelisa Genova, a Sicilian painter who holds a degree from Harvard University where her training incorporated human rights protection, social enterprise, and systemic transformation. She is dedicated to building coalitions and venturing into a more compassionate future. Her work will be exhibited in the show as well. Below you can get to know some of the artists that will be featured in the show that will be marking the closing of this Indigenous Heritage Month.
\n\n\n\n@caseykoyczanart
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/casey-705x1024.jpg\")
Casey Koyczan is a Tlicho Dene interdisciplinary artist from Yellowknife, NT, who works with various mediums to communicate how culture and technology coincide together alongside the political, economic, and environmental challenges in the world. A portion of his large-scale installation work utilizes earth materials to evoke the idea of nature reclaiming architectural space. Inspired by sci-fi and the future, Koyczan implements various techniques of interactivity, audio-video, VR/360/XR, and the engagement of the bodily senses within his creations.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CaseyKoyczan_1.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CaseyKoyczan_2.jpg\")
He is an international artist that has participated in many residencies, exhibits, festivals, and collaborations in parts of the world such as Finland, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the UK. He is also a musician, producer, filmmaker, actor, writer, teacher, workshop facilitator, graphic designer, web designer, and advocate for future generations of artists and musicians. He holds a Multimedia Production diploma from Lethbridge College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Thompson Rivers University, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Manitoba.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CaseyKoyczan-1024x576.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CaseyKoyczan2-1024x576.png\")
\n\n\n\n“Technology has enabled us to create amazing things with very little, and has promoted a symbiotic relationship with our cultures; to see ourselves, our animals, and our stories in the future. With this relationship at its root, our dreams and interpretations of reality can have a place on the platform to span the globe among the unified mix of other digital artworks and artists.”
Casey Koyczan
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/fulvio-sestito.jpg\")
Fulvio Claudio Sestito has been at the intersection of art, storytelling, technology, and spiritual studies since an early age. While following a career as a filmmaker and digital artist, Fulvio has trained alongside Guillermo Del Toro, Tim Miller and James Cameron creating stunning visuals for Halo, League of Legends, Terminator 6, and Love Death & Robots among many others.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/FulvioClaudio_Realdram_2-1024x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/FulvioClaudio_Realdream_1.jpg\")
Through the Realdream collective Fulvio dives into the NFT metaworld by exploring the hidden secrets of ancient metaphysical knowledge, sacred scriptures, and universal archetypes.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/FulvioClaudio_Realdream_3-1024x729.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/FulvioClaudio_Realdream_4-1024x637.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n“Realdream is a collective of international digital artists and storytellers whose life-long mission is to transmute ancient wisdom of universal charity inspired by our cosmic mother into powerful visual poetry.”
Fulvio Claudio Sestito for @realdream
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isabella-1024x1024.jpg\")
@artizinfinite
\n\n\n\nIsabella Morillo is a Peruvian artist from Lima, she is traditionally trained in graphic design. Isabella has been making art throughout her whole life. She wants to empower others and bridge communities together through her work of graphic design, murals, as well as one-of-a-kind upcycled apparel. There are many layers of meaning behind her pieces, the art she creates aims to transcend language and borders to connect people on a universal level. Isabella aims to be infinite through the art that she creates which is where her alias izinfinite was born.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isabella-Izinfinite-1024x718.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isabella-3.jpg\")
Through her art and education, Isabella hopes that people will be able to learn about Peru and its significance in the world. She wants them to see the beauty in what makes up one’s culture so they can learn to appreciate it, while also representing it and being an inspiration for others to embrace their own identity and follow their dreams.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isabella-4.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isabella-copy-1024x768.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n“Being able to share my story through digital art has empowered me as an artist, giving voice again after years spent feeling silenced. I’m looking forward to the chance of leading with authenticity as we set the tone for future generations by coming together in this event as a team, not only through what we create but also by embracing who you are.”
Isabella Morillo
@quinnhopkinsart
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Quinn-Hopkins-2-updated-1024x768.jpg\")
Quinn Hopkins (b. 1998) is a Digital, AR, VR artist and Painter, Rock-painter, Mural artist. He is a student at OCAD University majoring in Drawing & Painting for his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. Quinn is grateful to have Conrad Bobiwash, Blake Angeconeb, and Nyle Miigizi Johnston as artist mentors. He was recently featured on CBC for his involvement with NTFS as a way to empower other indigenous artists through technology.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Quinn-Hopkins-3-updated-2-576x1024.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n“This is an opportunity to establish an equitable space for artists to celebrate culture and storytelling on a young network that lacks a history of systemic racism and gatekeeping.”
Quinn Hopkins
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Curator-Evelisa-1-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Evelisa strives to be the mentor and leader for young girls that she always searched for in her childhood. Painting has been Evelisa’s preferred language of the heart. She has a unique artistry that combines classical tradition with surreal and allegorical painting styles, Her paintings are meant to be intimate celebrations – of life and love, of popular figures, or our most intimate dreamscapes.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/evelisaart-1024x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/evelisaart-1-1024x1024.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n“My art is about representing influencers and influences that have meaning in our mysterious lives. Whether it is the most personal dreams, or the popular figures that inspire us to keep moving forward, I personally create art when I don’t have the words to explore the spiritual, psychological, political, and ethereal influences in my own life, through the lens of my own femininity, and in a feminine-presenting way.”
Evelisa Genova
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/David-1024x679.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/David-and-Cheyenne-Thomas.jpg\")
David Thomas is Anishinaabe, a member of Peguis First Nation. He is currently involved in the development of the Indigenous People’s Garden at Assiniboine Park, part of Canada’s Diversity Garden. Along with Indigenous architecture projects and installations in Toronto and Vancouver, David has exhibited in New Zealand and the UK and was also on the team of UNCEDED, Canada’s entry of Indigenous Architects for the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. David’s practice, process, and research focus on identity and lived experiences as an Indigenous person. He has been working in the field of Architecture for over 20 years.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/david-thomas-et-al-venice-biennale-uncededvoicesoftheland-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/david-and-cheyenne-thomas-leaf-gardens-pond.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/davidthomas-1024x771.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n“As an indigenous creator, the act of creating was nurtured by my mother who was a survivor of Canada’s 150-year-old residential school policies. I was taught to be authentic in my expression and value every emotion and moment in the journey of creating. I feel an NFT has an intrinsically personal aspect to it, one that is about your art existing in a space that is activated by the values of many people. A place where you may speak with a voice that only your DND can speak, a quiet nuance that will ignite a fire. This is what I hope for in creating digital art. I hope that young indigenous creators find their voice in this space where there are no limits to expression and that a resurgence of culture can take place.”
David Thomas
To learn more about the exhibit you can follow Transform below:
\n\n\n\nDiscord: Transform NFT Art
Telegram: https://t.me/transformnft
Instagram: @transform.exhibit
Twitter: @TransformExNFT
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/transformexhibit
Voices that have often been silenced, pushed into the outskirts of our historical narratives come to the forefront in this unique show curated by Evelisa Genova.
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\n\n\n\nArt, like fruit, is a passion and is central to our wellbeing and cohesion.
\n\n\n\nAs a painter I’ve been journeying through oils to enable a soulful giving – with a beauty of imagery and depth of perception.
\n\n\n\nI’m perennially seeking to deliver a better overstanding of who we are as a ‘oneness, encapsulated in historical account and religious doctrine- to extract our contributions, and exaltations, essentially from an Afrocentric perspective.
\n\n\n\nMy motivation remains figurative, but I’m currently journeying through what I call “Afstract Figurative.”
\n\n\n\nWhat excites me of late is an unobtrusive use of unconventional materials such as bitumen, soil and other sourced materials to mix with my paintings. This, married with a new step into immersive digital art space both challenge, and immensely intrigue me.
\n\n\n\nMoving forward, I dream to work from my birthplace of The Gambia and beyond, whilst travelling back and forth, home from home to the UK.
\n\n\n\n“Wherever we lay our feet, that’s our soil”
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Damel-Carayol-960x540-1.gif\")
Pandora according to Ancient Greek myth was the first human created by Hephaestus, under instruction of Zeus …All the Gods complied and gave her unique gifts, which she brings to us, and brings to the world.
\n\n\n\nA black butterfly is rare. It carries the beauty and energy of life-changing transformation, individuality and uniqueness. It is a symbol of rebirth and most importantly, it represents the death, of anything misfortunate. It releases itself from the box transforming into the gifts of Love, Honour, Truth and Molasses.
\n\n\n\nSo contrary to what we now believe, Pandora is a gift-giver.
\n\n\n\nPan – ‘All’
\n\n\n\nDoron- ‘All gifted’
\n\n\n\nPandora is green of jade and red of ruby representing and absorbing the Earth and the planets and the stars… the reds and the yellows the greens and the blues of “nature” – of which we are all a part.
\n\n\n\nA shard of glass is removed from Her heart area and becomes multiplied and placed on the land, represented as 3 pyramids – Orion’s Belt. Indicating our 360 degree connectivity.
\n\n\n\nPandora’s box. As it was in the beginning: So shall it be; so shall it be; so shall it be.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPauline Boyenga Bofala (Browncoffeemoka) is a sensitive, conscientious and mystical artist who is passionate about art history, history, ethnology, culture and spirituality. She is inspired by different forms of art (like photography, sculpture, literature, fine art, craftsmanship) with care for the environment being absolutely central to her work. Browncoffeemoka prepares recycled materials to create her canvas. Her philosophical outlook is for nature, the universe and humankind to be in harmony for there to be beauty and peace throughout the world. Her works of art illustrate the energies and vibrations around her, as she creates sacred, sustainable content to uplift and empower. Browncoffeemoka comments “creation is a meditation.”
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Browncoffeemoka-960x540-1.gif\")
I have been trying to find a way to reach my ancestors spirit, my cultures’ pride and the true essence of my being. Paying tribute to who I am is paying tribute to my cultural heritage and to the ones who hit the road before me. I am the gathering and the celebration of my mother’s tribe and of my father’s tribe and I flourish through this celebration, through this meeting of my two lines.
\n\n\n\nPoem:
\n\n\n\nWhere the sun is freezing and the snow is burning.
Where volcanoes freeze and mountains melt.
Where the snow heats and the sun cools.
From the moon dust we shall flourish.
Where the bitter wind flirts with the warmest rain.
From lands where northern wolves and Southern leopards are friends.
From lands where silver and copper are lovers.
From lands where amber and malachite build each other.
And yet, on those lands, celtic seas and bantu waters shine.
And yet, on those lands, the chaos is divine.
Under the same moon we shall dance.
From the same moon we enhance.
Hear my call precious souls
Join my dream and let’s begin.
Browncoffeemoka uses pencil, pen, charcoal, chalks, acrylic, gouache and oil paints to create mix media between collage, drawing, raw and abstract art, impulsive paint stroke work and academic paintings.
\n\n\n\nElicia was born in East London and her creative talent was first recognised by her mother at the early age of 3 years old whilst sketching nursery rhyme characters.
\n\n\n\nElicia is an expressionist artist that mainly specialises in water-mixable oils and charcoal to create either a representational or abstract art piece for an individual, organisation or event.
\n\n\n\nElicia’s recent ‘Movement’ and ‘Black Icons’ series represents her fascination with role models, cars, metal and human connections. Even though very different in style and medium, they are interlinked by the subjects’ kinetic and potential energy.
\n\n\n\nElicia creates figurative and abstract art that fascinates her and has just started a new journey, to blend impressionism with her intimate emotions and powerful ideas.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Elicia-McKenzie-960x540-2.gif\")
This painting merges the sensual power of Shelana, an Icon who was loved by many, with the beast of a Ford Mustang, which was one of her favourite cars.
\n\n\n\nThe thick layers of acyclic paint interlock and overlaps with each other to represent the movement and connection of both the person and the car. The heavy use of red, black and white paint is significant as the painting presents both their energy, elegance and power. By merging these two loves, a new abstract piece is born for us to hold onto for eternity.
\n\n\n\nAcyclic paint, 80 x 30 cm
\n\n\n\nIn loving memory of Shelana, my sister, Queen, Icon. 2021
\n\n\n\nGus Brooks-Simpson is an artist born and raised in London who is of Jamaican descent, his work explores themes and concepts that humans have engaged with since conception.
\n\n\n\nHaving no formal education in the arts or literature beyond second ary/high school, Gus’s discipline is primarily self cultivated, wavering between a raw, expressive artform that leans heavily towards manga and graffiti and on the other hand taking his autodidactic studies of religion and culture, and, between these two worlds, striking a balance which produces an unusual style which captivates and at the same time expresses a deep inclination for contemplative thought regarding the themes and concepts that influence his work.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gus-Brooks-Simpson-960x540-2.gif\")
An Ode To The Old World was created with the theme of communication in mind.
\n\n\n\nThis work pulls from multiple cultural epochs in which humans have lived through and which remnants of their glory communicates to us to this very day.
\n\n\n\nAs time has progressed humans have developed more sophisticated tools to express ideas and share information.
\n\n\n\nHowever there is also the narrative that our expanse into technolo gy comes at the expense of ourselves. Alienation from nature and her creatures, and from each other within society being the consequence.
\n\n\n\nThere is an ironic and even a poetic relationship humans have with the things we create. Whatever their purpose may be. Which in turn af fects the way we interact with one another
\n\n\n\nIsis Raheem is a British-born Afrofuturist whose practice spans: graphic novels, NFTs and traditional paint and canvas.
\n\n\n\nCommon themes in her work include: near future speculation, Pan-Africanism, government surveillance and the onset of post-privacy society.
\n\n\n\nAs a creator of work that is at times provocative, Isis holds that provocation is part of the negotiation of language and meaning.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isis-Raheem-960x540-1.gif\")
Materials: digital painting
\n\n\n\nSize: 189.00 x 264.00mm 600dpi, (4465 x 6236 pixels)
\n\n\n\nNumber 76 in a list of 139 collectable cards, Deer Stalker is part of the NFT collection, SIGINT// Tools.
\n\n\n\nEach collectable card represents a tool as it appears in the formally top secret Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) wiki – a catalogue of tools and techniques developed by The Joint Threat Research Intelligence Group (JTRIG), a secret unit of GCHQ, the existence of which was revealed by documents leaked by Edward Snowden.
\n\n\n\nSIGINT// Tools, is the first NFT collection created by British artist and Afrofuturist, Isis Raheem. Collect the uniquely illustrated tools and explore the secretive world of British surveillance.
\n\n\n\nLola Betiku – better known by the moniker ‘Labet’ – is a self-taught Nigerian-British painter based in East London. Labet’s work serves as a figurative and abstract diary which explores themes of identity and representation.
\n\n\n\nDrawing influence from her rich Nigerian heritage, many elements of her work converse with the ideas of belonging and femininity which she uses to reflect on how these evolve within cultural and traditional expectations.
\n\n\n\nLabet’s paintings narrate stories about nostalgia, relationships, and interactions within our daily endeavors.
\n\n\n\nAcrylic on canvas is the main choice of medium for Labet when creating her deeply expressive works, with a particular focus on the use of a vibrant palette of colours as well as bold patterns. Both elements are often used concurrently to explore the emotional complexities and narratives in each painting.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Labet-960x540-1.gif\")
Acrylic paint on canvas 50x50cm
\n\n\n\nI created this painting as part of an ongoing series that explores self-care and the ways we overcome feelings of uncertainty or doubt. This piece explores the sensitivities of displacement and the struggles of adapting to change. It is about entering new spaces, delving into new worlds, opening up to new ventures, and new perspectives by leaving your comfort zone. In this painting I have started experimenting more with my practice and techniques by moving to a more visibly abstract style.
\n\n\n\nEach object in the painting represents an aspect of cultural belonging but ties in with the notion of coming out of your shell. The head-wrap for example, is not only used to adorn and protect a black woman’s crown but in this piece, it is unraveling the jewels of an explored mind. Elsewhere the wooden hair pick is painted gold symbolising it as a precious tool used to start the process of change and depicts both the excitement and therapy black women experience when doing their hair. The floating orange also represents the first fruits coming through after a new beginning.
\n\n\n\nThe idea of coasting and letting time pass by without realising is something that scares me, and I often question this through my work.
\n\n\n\nPainting is a source of therapy and is the way I express my thoughts as well as personal and shared experiences.
\n\n\n\nSekai Machache (she/her) is a Zimbabwean-Scottish visual artist and curator based in Glasgow, Scotland. Her work is a deep interrogation of the notion of self. She is interested in the relationship between spirituality, imagination, and the role of the artist in disseminating symbolic imagery to provide a space for healing. Sekai works with a wide range of media including photography. Her photographic practice is formulated through digital studio based compositions utilising body paint and muted lighting to create images that appear to emerge from darkness.
\n\n\n\nSekai is the recipient of the 2020 RSA Morton Award and is an artist in residence with the Talbot Rice Residency Programme 2021-2023. She recently joined Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop as a board member.
\n\n\n\nSekai works internationally and often collaboratively and is a founding and organising member of the Yon Afro Collective (YAC).
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Sekai-Machache-960x540-1.gif\")
The High Priestess is part of an ongoing tarot card series by visual artist and curator Sekai Machache. This series focuses on the Major Arcana.
\n\n\n\nThe 2nd Major Arcana card in the Tarot Deck, representing mystery, stillness and reflection, The High Priestess symbolises the time for withdrawal and instinctive self-guidance. In the image, a figure stands illuminated in the dark yawning of a cave, shrouded and still, wearing Blue of the Horizon, a period style dress designed in collaboration with artist and seamstress Fiona Catherine Powell. The figure holds a stance in place that signifies ritualistic movements similar to the gestures in the film Profound Divine Sky.
\n\n\n\nThe dress and veil are signifiers of divine knowledge and The High Priestesses’ leadership, usually represented by a blue robe and a horned diadem. In her re-working a dark veil obscures the face, the hands are cradling and bare. Guardian of the subconscious mind she flits between these mind realms without hindrance and provides an ethereal knowledge of the Cosmos, a profound enlightenment on that which is hidden.
\n\n\n\nThis image was shot in caves at Auchmithie on the East coast of Scotland during a month long residency period at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath where the artist created her first tarot card in the series, The Hierophant.
\n\n\n\nThe High Priestess was captured by Antanas Budvytis with artistic direction, styling, and performance by Sekai Machache.
\n\n\n\nBorn in London, UK in the late 90’s, Sharon Adebisi is a contemporary artist who uses paintings to capture her thoughts and experiences as she attempts to navigate adulthood. Whilst her acrylic-on-canvas based pieces are created more for self-reflection and release, a welcomed by-product is others being able to relate to their subject.
\n\n\n\nHer most recent works explore the identity issues she faces as a British-African hybrid, and the conflict between embracing her African roots yet assimilating to her British culture. Her latest series ‘The Ghana Series’ journals the emotions she encountered upon visiting the ‘motherland’ Africa for the first time.
\n\n\n\nSharon’s work has been exhibited/auctioned with various organisations across the world, including Zari Gallery, Woolwich Works, Sky Arts and Sotheby’s.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Sharon-Adebisi-960x540-2.gif\")
Upon exploring Brixton for the first time a few years ago, the one thing that stood out to me was the presence of culture. Whilst in some parts of Brixton the culture of the community had been noticeably whitewashed due to gentrification, in other parts such as the Brixton Market, the culture remained strong.
\n\n\n\nVisiting Brixton Market a few months ago, compelled me to create a painting celebrating its authenticity and richness in spirit. Gentrification tries to replicate culture whilst excluding the people that create it, but through this painting I wanted to emphasise the fact that the true spirit of a community can only exist where its original inhabitants and their descendants reside.
\n\n\n\nThe beginning of an exciting new story. How Yahoo is supporting Black artists to enter the NFT digital art world.
\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13346,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[1,9],"tags":[44],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Cover-Image.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13345"}],"collection":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/types/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/users/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/comments?post=13345"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13345/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13407,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/13345/revisions/13407"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media/13346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/media?parent=13345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/categories?post=13345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-json/wp/v2/tags?post=13345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https://api.w.org/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13300,"date":"2021-11-19T17:03:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-19T22:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https://editorial.superrare.com/?p=13300"},"modified":"2021-11-19T18:56:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T23:56:05","slug":"on-decentralized-governance-the-case-for-daos-and-structural-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://editorial.superrare.com/2021/11/19/on-decentralized-governance-the-case-for-daos-and-structural-revolution/","title":{"rendered":"On decentralized governance: The case for DAOs and structural revolution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ethereum.jpeg\")
By Virginia Valenzuela, Arts Editor & Kyle Olney, Director of Product
\n\n\n\nOver the centuries, humanity has attempted a number of different models for large-scale governance. From monarchies to republics, democracies to dictatorships, from communism to socialism to utilitarianism, and so on. And while each may be predicated on some philosophy of who should be in charge and more importantly, how large groups should coordinate, the problem of governance being efficient and effective, and how to remain so over time, urges us to continue the search for that more perfect union.
\n\n\n\nIn 2008, the economies of the world felt the crash of American exceptionalism at its worst. Banks were found to be bad actors, whose main purpose was not to help the population manage their money, but to offer them predatory loans to buy assets they could not afford. When the housing bubble burst, it was the American taxpayer who paid the bill for economic resurrection, and it’s the taxpayer who continues to bear its yoke.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/occupy-better.jpeg\")
It was no coincidence then, that in 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto mined the first block on the Bitcoin blockchain. Embedded within that block was the contemporaneous headline: “The Times Jan/03/2009 Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” This statement, a rallying cry etched in the annals of history for all time, embodies the political motivation behind blockchains as a technological innovation for coordination of the common good.
\n\n\n\nIf we zoom out from the excitement of insiders and the confusion of outsiders that surrounds cryptocurrency, NFTs, DAOs, and other groundbreaking technologies a la blockchain, we can see that these experiments are merely the latest answer to the age-old question: how do we govern ourselves? And relatedly, how do we protect ourselves from bad decisions being made on our behalf or in our name?
\n\n\n\nIn a lot of ways, we can think of Bitcoin as the first DAO. A proto-DAO of sorts, Bitcoin was formed through a social consensus about the parameters of how to keep a public ledger, and a calcification of the values around why an unalterable, permissionless and distributed ledger could become the optimal means of exchanging value and certifying history. Miners would be rewarded for honest efforts toward maintaining the network and for contributing computing power, and anyone could opt in or out as they pleased. Users could trivially access every transaction ever made, tracking the provenance of any given unit of value stored on the network, thus providing the ultimate form of financial transparency combined with irrefutable security. The political philosophy behind Bitcoin makes changing the network incredibly difficult; but theoretically this is possible given the right social consensus around any proposed changes.
\n\n\n\nThen came Ethereum, which grew as a branch off of the Bitcoin trunk, allowing users even greater opportunity to apply and experiment around the values of open-source code, distributed ledgers, and voluntary consensus mechanisms. The implementation of a Turing-complete programming language—on top of the miracle innovation of Nakamoto consensus—set the stage for a Cambrian explosion of different methods for financial and social coordination.
\n\n\n\nThe DAO, which ran on the Ethereum blockchain, was the first social experiment built as a higher level of abstraction on top of the primitive of programmable digital value. It was an experiment around whether it was possible to set up a decentralized, anonymous venture fund, with shared financial interest as its mechanism of coordination. We evolved from operating as individual financial actors, loosely aligned through the basic rules that govern the Bitcoin network – to complex coordination among large groups of individuals on the Ethereum network, mediated through programmable smart contracts, which require higher levels of alignment to manage a constantly evolving social consensus.
\n\n\n\nAfter the original DAO blew up, causing wreckage across the Ethereum ecosystem and forcing a period of fraught reflection amongst its early adherents, a number of other experiments with DAOs began to emerge. Within a few months, the Ethereum community had reached the conclusion that, while the DAO had been a catastrophic event, the latent potential energy stored in the concept of DAO’s as a coordination mechanism was too great to ignore, and that by evolving their social parameters, this potential energy could be unleashed and channeled toward world-altering outcomes.
\n\n\n\nThe Moloch DAO, founded in February 2019, was one of the first to gain early traction following the crypto winter of 2018—likely as a result of the strong stance they took on the value of DAOs as a coordination mechanism, and the political drive to continue innovating. Instead of buying in like people did with the DAO, potential members were asked to sacrifice something meaningful to them “for the greater good.” Maybe that was 2 ETH; maybe it was a certain amount of time that functioned like sweat equity.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/moloch-dao-1024x536.jpeg\")
But one of their most consequential inventions was the ragequit mechanism. Like in a videogame where a player is losing and thus rage quits right out of it, the ragequit mechanism in Moloch allowed members to cash out their shares instead of spending money on a project proposal that they disagreed with. It was important as a primitive, or algorithmic building block, in the evolution of DAOs because it allowed people a way out of a political turn that would lead them to investing in something they found unconscionable. The concept of exit is a fundamental function of decentralized blockchain networks and its application in the context of a DAO makes participation not only more attractive from the perspective of a capital allocator, but substantially more scalable from a social perspective. Like the decision to “vote with your feet” in the context of American federalism, the ability to ragequit your capital in a DAO lowers the friction around exiting while facilitating greater variation and experimentation among and between DAOs that (at least nominally) compete for limited capital, attention, and member engagement.
\n\n\n\nThe Party DAO, which also launched in February of 2019, was organized around the collective bidding of NFTs. Unlike other collector DAOs like Pleasr DAO and Flamingo DAO, Party DAO allows users to initiate a Party Bid around a specific NFT. If the PartyBid wins, the group of people who pooled their capital to buy that NFT becomes a temporary DAO that can hold the NFT and split the profits when it sells. This allows groups to form around specific NFTs, rather than groups voting on which NFTs they’d like to bid on as in other collector DAOs.
\n\n\n\nMore recently, there has been buzz surrounding the Constitution DAO, which raised $40 million between over 17,000 people, and aimed to purchase a folio of the United States Constitution. Though owning the document would not have changed the way politics function in the United States, the implications of such a venture would have been enormous. What would happen if people outside of elected office could vote on deletions, updates, and alterations to a document that governs our very way of life? How would voter participation and the general idea of citizenship be impacted?
\n\n\n\nLast August, SuperRare launched the $RARE token, thus beginning the next chapter in NFT marketplace curation. As a governance token, it constitutes membership for making curation decisions in the SuperRare network. Owning a single token allows you to vote on new Spaces, the admission of new artists, and green-lighting treasury expenditures that look to support artists, arts programs and cultural development. The larger construct is to look at curation, not just from an art perspective, but also a cultural one.
\n\n\n\n“It totally warps your perception of collaboration and corroboration with other team members and employees,” says Lee Knight, SuperRare’s Technical Community Manager. “It’s a novel experience as compared to traditional work environments, relying heavily on community involvement and a sense of responsibility and accountability.”
\n\n\n\nIn the not-too-distant future, having a certain amount of tokens could grant members access to an IRL event, putting them in the room with the social milieu that we are creating within the network, connecting us all to a cultural and aesthetic desire that we believe in and want to see expressed in the world. We can think about how we are adding and influencing cultural significance all around us, our involvement via collection and DAO membership becoming just as important to the digital art world as the artists themselves.
\n\n\n\nSuperRare aims to eventually become the biggest pool of non-financial capital in the world. And unlike other DAOs, we plan to invest in things that do not have a direct financial return on investment. By believing in art as having intrinsic value outside of auctions and sales, the SuperRare community will be able to add more cultural capital to the world and begin to rectify decades of neglect for the arts driven by the over financialization of society these many years.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://editorial.superrare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sick-funding-war.jpeg\")
Thanks to blockchain technology, we are now well on our way to realizing true and meaningful sovereignty, wherein centralization becomes less and less powerful, and the sovereign individual can decide where they want to live, how they want to make their money, and with whom they want to collaborate. Power structures flip from centralized state authority exerting its will on individuals through the use of force, to a digital-first, free-agent universe. Distributed ledgers, non-custodial wallets, decentralized apps, smart contracts, and DAOs are a way for us to come together naturally, functioning under terms that we freely agree to, and in many cases, have legitimate agency to change.
\n\n\n\nDAOs are slowly becoming the new city-states, functioning best when members are drawn together by a joint cause and shared values. Whether that be to fund new political projects, collect assets, or collaborate on major social problems like supply chain or resource allocation, DAOs allow us to have an active part in both how we make money and what we do with it. Token networks solve the bootstrapping problem by helping entrepreneurs to raise capital without going through predatory systems, and instead being funded by their own community, rather than centralized entities.
\n\n\n\nThe SuperRare DAO is like a city-state focused on art and culture, the same way Athens was a city-state dedicated to the arts and learning. By harnessing the social, cultural, political, and monetary capital of the cryptoart movement, we can indeed change the world that we live in, giving everyone a say through collective governance. DAOs are by design egalitarian, cross-national, and cross-cultural, making it the perfect way to collaborate on what many have called the Digital Renaissance – the first ever global art movement.
\n\n\n\nIn the future, we can have rules set inside the DAO where, for example, we will be able to rage quit on some things but not exit the DAO entirely. We can have sub-DAOs dedicated to specific needs, functioning much like committees, except with actualized results, executed by smart contracts in real time. At long last, the Chomskyan anarchist philosophy which calls for decentralized markets, politics, and society can be realized. What will you do with the responsibility?
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