Ethereum

{STYX} 0xbf17c3fc0a

Collection

PROOF OF {ART}WORK

Description

Token ID `0xbfde5979187a5cb13fe13e7749ecd233` is a binary representation of the point (-0.4742110003512137+0.5388752406930223i) on the complex plane. Originating from this precise location, the piece is comprised of 4,765,356 individual points, each positioned with a deterministic algorithm. The artwork, a 2D histogram, renders bin counts as pixel intensities with no additional post-processing—gradients arise from precise spacing of the points. Zooming renders histogram bins of finer resolution. Interaction =========== Interact with the art like you would a map: drag to move, and pinch on mobile or scroll on desktop to zoom. Shift+drag to zoom to a specific area. Brightness suggests activity, so take a closer look. Beauty exists at the edge of chaos. Maths ===== See https://proofofwork.art for the governing equations and proof of work involved in finding the token. Environment =========== The effects of cryptocurrency on the environment are well documented, and proof of work is the culprit. In contrast, this art uses negligible energy—the seed values were found with 3.1kWh ≈ a half-hour charge of an EV. About PROOF OF {ART}WORK ======================== Crypto proof of work is an onerous pursuit, searching for answers to a problem with no simple solution. This mining provides value in the world of cryptocurrencies. The only strategy is to explore blindly, stumbling upon results by chance—the finder is rewarded with currency. **po{a}w** is much the same. Algorithmically generated from seed numbers, only a select few seeds will generate the organic forms that you see. The only strategy is to explore blindly, stumbling upon results by chance—the finder is rewarded with beauty. Each artwork is meticulously drawn from millions of dots. From afar, the clusters create sweeping gradients, but up close they are always discrete points. The mined seed is the source—point zero, encoded as the `tokenId`. Think of point zero as sitting on the tip of the hand of a clock. However this clock ticks in its own peculiar way, through a _twist_, a _stretch_, and a _slide_. The twist ticks anticlockwise, doubling the length of time from 3 o'clock—a hand originally pointing to 2 o'clock now points to 1, a hand pointing to 12 now points to 9, and so on. The twisted hand is then stretched to square its original length. The final slide places the new hand so it lies on point zero instead of the center of the clock. Every tick is marked as a new dot. Despite the resulting macrostructure and repeating patterns, each tick knows nothing of its history—only the current and seed times are available when ticking. However the butterfly effect ensures that the smallest change in point zero propagates through time, inextricably linked to the future trajectory. Some pieces appear qualitiatively similar despite distinct sequences—these are minted as editions although each member in the series is unique and run sizes are limited by the maths. If a tick leaves the circular face of the clock it never returns. This is when the artwork is complete. Some seeds never leave so are infinite and can't be used. Others leave the face quickly, ticking for too short a time to create a striking image. Curating the seeds that you see is a process of discovery. They've always been there, simply waiting to be found.