*Collectors of today's essay will be entered to win a this Gen XY Das Occult.

As an avid collector on FxHash, with my first piece (Landline’s Achromat) acquired in November of 2021, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for generative art minted as NFTs. Generative Art, having existed since the 1960s, has recently found a new expression through NFTs—a match made in heaven, if you will. This evolution has led me to view generative art as the patron saint of NFTs, a perspective I'd like to explore today.

Generative Art & FxHash

Before we begin, a little background on Generative Art. Believe it or not, Generative Art has been around since the 1960s. Mathematics and artists started tinkering with code and art decades ago, birthing the concept of Generative Art.

Generative art isn't your everyday paintbrush and canvas stuff. It's a cosmic combination of creativity and computer code. Artists develop an algorithm, or a set of rules, which produces artwork that is both stunning and unique. And the best part, no two outputs are the same (more on that later).

Fast forward to the 21st century. We're living in the age of smart contracts and cryptocurrencies. Suddenly the world of NFTs and Generative Art have collided into a magical combination. While I've collected Generative Art from many platforms, FxHash remains my first love.

Started in the fall of 2021, FxHash offers creators an open platform to create, using the eco friendly and low cost Tezos blockchain. I'm happy to have discovered FxHash many months ago. You could say it was divine intervention.

Here are 4 reasons Generative Art should be considered the patron saint of NFTs:

1. Code-Based Connection

Generative Art and NFTs share an inherent language – code. Generative Art harnesses the power of algorithms to produce intricate and unique pieces of art, while NFTs utilize the logic of smart contracts to facilitate the ownership and transfer of digital assets. These digital twins, both born of code, naturally come together in a kind of digital symbiosis that feels less like a forced marriage and more like a cosmic reunion. While other forms of digital art fuse well with NFTs, nothing matches the code-to-code spiritual connection of NFTs and Generative Art.

I really began to understand this relationship when I read Hevey's excellent FxText article on the creation of Dencity, called “Dencity Development”. Dencity, for those unfamiliar, is a gorgeous Generative Art collection of cityscapes, viewed from above. After releasing the collection, Hevey wrote a deep dive into how Dencity was created. Hevey explains, in detail, how the intricate and symbolic nature of art, code and NFTs blend together in generative art. Both the art and the article are worthy of collecting.

2. Celebrating Uniqueness

One of the draws of the NFT space is the possibility of owning a singular, one-of-a-kind piece of digital art – the famed 1/1. Generative Art, with its ability to create a myriad of unique outputs from a single algorithm, is the ultimate 1/1 factory. Each piece of Generative Art is a digital snowflake – echoing the shape and form of others but ultimately being uniquely its own. For collectors, this makes each piece coveted, embodying the ethos of non-fungibility to the core.

If there’s one thing I understand, it’s the NFT collector’s mindset. NFT art collectors like editions, if the art is good enough. But collectors LOVE 1/1s. They are the holy grail. A prime example of the allure of 1/1s is FxHash’s popular collection, Zancan's Garden, Monoliths. 255 unique, beautiful 1/1s were initially available for just 18 Tezos—a golden opportunity in retrospect. (One I missed!) Whether it's Garden, Monoliths, or a lesser-known collection, the assurance with generative art on FxHash is this: You will be receiving a 1/1, a truly unique piece worth celebrating.

3. Scalability and Diversity

Generative Art isn't just a producer of unique pieces, it is a creator of diverse digital ecosystems. With a single stroke of the algorithmic brush, Generative Art can populate the blockchain with a wide array of art pieces, each distinct, yet part of a larger, coherent collection. Do you remember the PFP (Profile Picture) NFT craze of 2021? I do. Generative Art was at the heart of it, creating large communities bound by common aesthetics yet celebrated for individual uniqueness. Whether it was the Bored Ape Yacht Club, Lazy Lions or Cool Cats, each PFP was it's own 1/1 within a larger collection. In this case, 10,000 pieces. It's scalability that doesn't sacrifice individuality, and that's what makes it so special within the NFT landscape.

An excellent example of both scalability and diversity can be found in the SMOLSKULL project. SMOLSKULLs is one of the most sought after Profile Picture (PFP) projects of FxHash, and one I’m proud to belong to. At first glance, these skulls may seem much alike. But after reflection and study, uniqueness arises. Collectors identify and enjoy the search for a singular piece that displays their passion for the project. Only Generative Art and NFTs can offer this blend of art and community. The SMOLSKULLs community remains one of the most passionate on the FxHash platform, easily recognizable through their red, yellow, grey and black skulls.

4. Tech Innovation

Generative Art and NFTs are not just byproducts of tech innovation, they are active participants in its evolution. As technologies advance, the potential of Generative Art expands, and so does the functionality and versatility of NFTs. We are seeing increasingly interactive and dynamic NFTs that offer experiences far beyond static visual appreciation. Generative Art plays a critical role in this evolution, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and expanding our understanding of art in the digital age.

While there are many examples of tech and innovation on FxHash, I love Binary Ode by Sasha Stiles and Nathaniel Stern. (As the self proclaimed "Write3 Guy", I had to make mention of a literary NFT for this piece!) The combination of prose, music, AI and art make this Generative Art project one to know. Sasha has been creating AI art for years and this project is an example of pushing the limits of what art and tech can do.

In conclusion, the coming together of Generative Art and NFTs goes beyond the intersection of technology and art; it is a spiritual synergy. This partnership opens up a new realm of possibilities, a new era of artistic expression that transcends the traditional boundaries and explores the depths of digital creation.

At the heart of Generative Art and NFTs is a deeper essence, an inherent spirituality of existence and expression in the digital realm. Just as the spirituality of physical art speaks to the soul, the spirituality of Generative Art and NFTs communicates with the digital souls of our time, echoing our shared digital existence.

Now it's your turn: Discover the allure of generative art for yourself. Start by downloading a Tezos wallet—I recommend Temple, my go-to since the beginning—and then dive in. Begin your journey with the Patron Saint of NFTs, generative art, and let the digital exploration ignite your passion!

Until next time, keep exploring, and happy collecting!