The Evolution Project
As I Came to the Edge of the Virtual Forest (Виртуальный лес: Начало, Конец)
Edition 1 of 1 'Artist Kate Daudy and physicist Kostya Novoselov are proud to present their first NFT collaboration – The Virtual Forest, an extension of their ongoing art + science collaboration 'EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED' Each artwork is a computer-generated digital image inspired by Kate Daudy’s tree series, to be owned by collectors via NFTs. Each tree image has unique “DNA” which defines its appearance. The trees can also be bred with each other to create new seedling trees with characteristics from each of their parents, grandparents and other ancestors.' he video is designed to illustrate the mechanism behind NFT and blockchain, which essentially guarantees individuality and irreproducibility for any digital object. This is achieved by cross-linking all the entries to the blockchain between each other, so that changes in one entry causes the chain reaction through the entire blockchain. We demonstrate this on the bases of other NFT objects – generative paintings which are obtained based on DNA of the artwork. Such artwork are designed to be able to develop and breed by itself, interacting with each other in the digital world. To gain even more links between our generative art and the real world – a link is created through which the art can actively influence our world (for instance by donating to charity), but also the real world can influence the development of art (by selection and breeding processes). This way our art gets disconnected from its creators, live its own life, communicates with entities (individuals and other art) it chooses to communicate, develops its own character. A complex Universe is developed for our artworld. Starting with single-cell organism (simple artpieces with short DNA) towards the very complex types. Same as in animal evolution – the rules for development of the species are being matured simultaneously with the species themselves, ensuring the diversity of characters. The seeds to grow the white wolf are there, so as those for the black wolf. Which one will you feed? In the video we demonstrate the genealogy of one of such species – the generative trees. All of the trees in the video are linked through the complex DNA breeding, just like the entries in the blockchain. Changing one of the gene in one of the trees causes a chain reaction through the whole genealogy structure. Even the most minute alterations get amplified and result in the very unpredictable results. This is a perfect illustration of the blockchain operation. To transfer the feeling of the fine balance between the ordered structure and the distortion event – the images of the trees are placed on the flipping timetable panes. Such panels, being always near the flipping, cocked position, demonstrate the high-sensitivity of the blockchain (genealogy tree) to external perturbations. This NFT will be minted upon sale. Proceeds of this sale will be donated to The Hermitage Foundation UK to support their programming between the UK and Russia. Learn more about the Hermitage Foundation here.
