Project 4 - Smart Contract & On-Chains
Describe what a smart contract and on-chains are.
Select a three works at artblocks, for instance Rhea Myers' and describe what the artwork is: https://www.artblocks.io/collection/dra ... ea-myers-2
Project 4 - Smart Contract and On-Chains
Project 4 - Smart Contract and On-Chains
George Legrady
legrady@mat.ucsb.edu
legrady@mat.ucsb.edu
Re: Project 4 - Smart Contract and On-Chains
Blockchain technology has significantly changed the way digital art is created, distributed, and collected. One of the most prominent innovations in this context is the use of smart contracts and on-chain systems. Such an approach allows artists to create artwork that can be stored directly on the blockchain, rather than being created on traditional digital channels. The Art Blocks project is one of the most successful projects that utilizes this approach to create digital art, especially generative art.
Smart contracts are computer programs that operate on blockchains. They feature a set of rules programmed into the software itself, which allows for operations to take place independently and without any intermediaries. The use of smart contracts is very widespread in the blockchain community in applications like non-fungible tokens, decentralized finance, and digital ownership. On generative-art platforms like Art Blocks, smart contracts govern the creation and distribution of art pieces to collectors. After the sale of a piece of art, the smart contract creates it automatically and stores ownership details on the blockchain.
On-chain refers to information or activities that take place within the blockchain. When it comes to on-chain generative art, the code for the art work, the transactional record, and ownership details are all saved on-chain. On one hand, this creates transparency and permanency since the artwork is not reliant on third-party servers or firms to survive. The artwork is unique since each piece of information from the blockchain, such as the hash of the token, acts as a random seed in the creation process.
Right now, Art Blocks has become one of the most important examples of on-chain generative art. Instead of uploading finished images, artists upload algorithms that generate artworks during minting. This creates a relationship between randomness, code, and artistic control. Different artists approach this process in different ways, resulting in a wide variety of visual outcomes.
The noteworthy project on Art Blocks is called “draw-something-onchain,” created by Rhea Myers. Rhea Myers is known for studying the intersection of blockchain, its technologies, and contemporary art. In the current project, the art begins with the generation of random lines which set a visual basis. Next, other shapes and color compositions are added around these lines. As the output of this process relies on randomness within the blockchain, all the images created are unique. They look very natural and expressive because of the way their colors and shapes have been formed. They resemble handmade drawings, even though all this happens thanks to algorithms and code only.
https://www.lerandom.art/artists/rhea-myers
The second Art Blocks collection that stands out is "Fidenza" by Tyler Hobbs. "Fidenza" rose to fame in NFT generative art collections because of the very refined aesthetics that were involved. In terms of aesthetics, this project uses flowy geometric shapes, curving lines, and carefully calculated colors to create abstract art pieces. While each image follows the same logic of creation, there are some differences in the output that result from slight differences in the process of generation itself. Some pieces will look quiet and minimalistic while others will give off more chaotic vibes. Hobbs intentionally created a system that allows for perfect control of randomness, resulting in each piece looking purposeful and aesthetically pleasing.
https://www.tylerxhobbs.com/words/fidenza
The third example is “Chromie Squiggle,” which was created by Snowfro, who is the founder of Art Blocks. Compared to other works that have a more complicated aesthetic approach, “Chromie Squiggle” appears to be quite simple. The painting consists of colorful curves that are generated by an algorithm. However, the work is historically important since it marks the start of the creation of Art Blocks as well as the culture of on-chain generative art. Different textures, movements, colors, and effects provide individuality to every painting.
https://www.artblocks.io/collection/chr ... by-snowfro
All of these artworks exemplify the opportunities that smart contracts and on-chain solutions have opened for digital art. Instead of treating blockchain technology as only useful for monetary transactions, artists use blockchain to create art. Through Art Blocks, artists incorporate algorithms, randomness, and blockchain data into their artworks actively. The “draw-something-onchain,” “Fidenza,” and “Chromie Squiggle” projects explore different relationships between control and uncertainty, technology and creativity, and simplicity and complexity.
Smart contracts are computer programs that operate on blockchains. They feature a set of rules programmed into the software itself, which allows for operations to take place independently and without any intermediaries. The use of smart contracts is very widespread in the blockchain community in applications like non-fungible tokens, decentralized finance, and digital ownership. On generative-art platforms like Art Blocks, smart contracts govern the creation and distribution of art pieces to collectors. After the sale of a piece of art, the smart contract creates it automatically and stores ownership details on the blockchain.
On-chain refers to information or activities that take place within the blockchain. When it comes to on-chain generative art, the code for the art work, the transactional record, and ownership details are all saved on-chain. On one hand, this creates transparency and permanency since the artwork is not reliant on third-party servers or firms to survive. The artwork is unique since each piece of information from the blockchain, such as the hash of the token, acts as a random seed in the creation process.
Right now, Art Blocks has become one of the most important examples of on-chain generative art. Instead of uploading finished images, artists upload algorithms that generate artworks during minting. This creates a relationship between randomness, code, and artistic control. Different artists approach this process in different ways, resulting in a wide variety of visual outcomes.
The noteworthy project on Art Blocks is called “draw-something-onchain,” created by Rhea Myers. Rhea Myers is known for studying the intersection of blockchain, its technologies, and contemporary art. In the current project, the art begins with the generation of random lines which set a visual basis. Next, other shapes and color compositions are added around these lines. As the output of this process relies on randomness within the blockchain, all the images created are unique. They look very natural and expressive because of the way their colors and shapes have been formed. They resemble handmade drawings, even though all this happens thanks to algorithms and code only.
The second Art Blocks collection that stands out is "Fidenza" by Tyler Hobbs. "Fidenza" rose to fame in NFT generative art collections because of the very refined aesthetics that were involved. In terms of aesthetics, this project uses flowy geometric shapes, curving lines, and carefully calculated colors to create abstract art pieces. While each image follows the same logic of creation, there are some differences in the output that result from slight differences in the process of generation itself. Some pieces will look quiet and minimalistic while others will give off more chaotic vibes. Hobbs intentionally created a system that allows for perfect control of randomness, resulting in each piece looking purposeful and aesthetically pleasing.
The third example is “Chromie Squiggle,” which was created by Snowfro, who is the founder of Art Blocks. Compared to other works that have a more complicated aesthetic approach, “Chromie Squiggle” appears to be quite simple. The painting consists of colorful curves that are generated by an algorithm. However, the work is historically important since it marks the start of the creation of Art Blocks as well as the culture of on-chain generative art. Different textures, movements, colors, and effects provide individuality to every painting.
All of these artworks exemplify the opportunities that smart contracts and on-chain solutions have opened for digital art. Instead of treating blockchain technology as only useful for monetary transactions, artists use blockchain to create art. Through Art Blocks, artists incorporate algorithms, randomness, and blockchain data into their artworks actively. The “draw-something-onchain,” “Fidenza,” and “Chromie Squiggle” projects explore different relationships between control and uncertainty, technology and creativity, and simplicity and complexity.